ict-presales-engineer/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — ICT presales engineer

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 41-9031.00 (Sales Engineers) — manual nearest-occupation mapping via ISCO group 2434; the official ESCO crosswalk has no entry for this ESCO occupation.

Task statements

• [Core] Plan and modify product configurations to meet customer needs.
• [Core] Confer with customers and engineers to assess equipment needs and to determine system requirements.
• [Core] Collaborate with sales teams to understand customer requirements, to promote the sale of company products, and to provide sales support.
• [Core] Secure and renew orders and arrange delivery.
• [Core] Develop, present, or respond to proposals for specific customer requirements, including request for proposal responses and industry-specific solutions.
• [Supplemental] Sell products requiring extensive technical expertise and support for installation and use, such as material handling equipment, numerical-control machinery, or computer systems.
• [Supplemental] Diagnose problems with installed equipment.
• [Core] Recommend improved materials or machinery to customers, documenting how such changes will lower costs or increase production.
• [Core] Prepare and deliver technical presentations that explain products or services to customers and prospective customers.
• [Supplemental] Provide technical and non-technical support and services to clients or other staff members regarding the use, operation, and maintenance of equipment.
• [Core] Research and identify potential customers for products or services.
• [Core] Visit prospective buyers at commercial, industrial, or other establishments to show samples or catalogs, and to inform them about product pricing, availability, and advantages.
• [Core] Create sales or service contracts for products or services.
• [Core] Arrange for demonstrations or trial installations of equipment.
• [Core] Keep informed on industry news and trends, products, services, competitors, relevant information about legacy, existing, and emerging technologies, and the latest product-line developments.
• [Core] Attend company training seminars to become familiar with product lines.
• [Supplemental] Provide information needed for the development of custom-made machinery.
• [Supplemental] Write technical documentation for products.
• [Core] Develop sales plans to introduce products in new markets.
• [Core] Identify resale opportunities and support them to achieve sales plans.
• [Core] Document account activities, generate reports, and keep records of business transactions with customers and suppliers.
• [Core] Train team members in the customer applications of technologies.
• [Core] Maintain sales forecasting reports.
• [Core] Attend trade shows and seminars to promote products or to learn about industry developments.
• [Supplemental] Report to supervisors about prospective firms' credit ratings.

Detailed work activities

• Advise customers on the use of products or services.
• Arrange delivery of goods or services.
• Attend events to develop professional knowledge.
• Contact current or potential customers to promote products or services.
• Deliver promotional presentations to current or prospective customers.
• Demonstrate products to consumers.
• Develop content for sales presentations or other materials.
• Develop marketing plans or strategies.
• Develop proposals for current or prospective customers.
• Discuss design or technical features of products or services with technical personnel.
• Explain financial information to customers.
• Explain technical product or service information to customers.
• Gather customer or product information to determine customer needs.
• Identify potential customers.
• Implement design or process improvements.
• Maintain records of sales or other business transactions.
• Monitor market conditions or trends.
• Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.
• Prepare sales or other contracts.
• Prepare technical or operational reports.
• Recommend products or services to customers.
• Sell products or services.
• Share sales-related or market information with colleagues.
• Train sales personnel.
• Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems.