Glen Cooper is currently an engineer turned entrepreneur. Home Business Who says you need to leave the house to start a business? She has written for “Tu Revista Latina” and owns three blogs. Owning a business is not just about doing the engineering work you want to do… it’s about spreading the good word that we engineers are really advantageous people to know. Being in control of your own destiny is a big responsibility. Work out what you have to offer to the market, and make sure there is a niche for your company. What do you do and who are your clients? Three years. After a year’s worth of training, I had the opportunity to train further as either a structural engineer or an architect. Visit other engineers whose expertise and abilities you respect and ask them to join you as a partner in your new firm. As your company grows, bring new engineers in as you need them. The reality is that we are often called in as troubleshooters. The journey to understand and challenge yourself is like gold dust. Welding Business. 8. Whether you’re a civil, structural, computer, electrical or mechanical engineer, you are able to start a new business, setting up a home office and developing a client list. What are the most important attributes of a successful engineering business? I open up my book of ideas and either blog about them or think of new things and ways to do stuff… Anything. But here’s the thing: virtually no technical experience is needed. I started as trainee design engineer in a design-and-build contractor’s. Working for yourself is different to working for a boss. I did grow to about eight subcontractors after eight months of work. If your new engineering firm shows signs of success, think about continuing to operate it from your home. Low-waste packaging has expanded from typical manufactured products into grocery items, like potato chip bags, coffee cups, sandwich containers and take-home food containers for retail food stores. This is highly related to a construction and materials business. Flickr Image If you have decided to start an engineering business, you are about to embark on an exciting journey into the unknown. With the vast sums of money at stake in the world of business, firms want employees who can work with both the “big picture” and appreciate the finer details of their operations. In order to make that dream a reality, you need to have a strong start. Talking with people. I worked for a small consultancy in Milton Keynes, who intended me to help run their business. Once you have gotten experience working in your specialty, start your own engineering business from your home. Write it down and make your value proposition your … Create a Business Plan . A client who needs an alternative to demolishing half their home. What happened was that I found that business was one of my latent talents, and I quickly grew out of the position they offered me. An architect who needs a speedy response or a builder who wants a solution which caters to their skills and materials. Never mix up these two in the initial stage of the business. I had thought about designing printed circuit boards, but I am not sure if this would be a good idea. We gotta show some kind of personality. You need to understand what you’re going to do that will attract customers. We'll help you find and research a home business idea, set up your home office, market effectively, and more. Engineering is a complex field; however, learning how to become an engineer will give you many career opportunities. Great engineers aren’t necessarily great CEOs. To properly start your own engineering company, you must be mindful of a few key steps. Wrong. Develop a competitive edge for a specialty product or service that is already offered by another company in your area. Genevieve Van Wyden began writing in 2007. If you have the willingness to learn quickly, then you will be okay? Define your value proposition before you create your engineering consulting business plan. This includes financial and legal advice. I like how you take time to call clients and colleagues to thank them—very few engineering companies I know do this. 6. I started as trainee design engineer in a design-and-build contractor’s. The manufacturing process is simple. Like any career, you must serve your time by obtaining the appropriate work-related skills and knowledge. Home Construction; Menu. We are a technical resource. I usually write articles for EngineeringCareerCoach, but this week I had the privilege to interview the very enthusiastic and business-savvy Glen Cooper, a structural engineer from the UK, on what it is like starting and running your own engineering business. They will probably be willing to help, but wouldn't want you taking their clients. Setting up your own engineering business offers a vast number of benefits. In business specifically, it has leveled the playing field. Maybe you create a legacy business that you can retire from and have other people run the day to day business. I learned a lot from that experience. Engineering Management Institute Getting the right answers to your questions as you start your new company saves you money in the long run, allowing you to use these funds on office and engineering supplies. For more of his articles, join his newsletter. KPIs are the best (and easiest) way to show how your hard work contributes to company revenue. The faculty members have to guide them on all stages till the time they graduate from the college. Finally, I will erect the facade of the business. Van Wyden earned her Bachelor of Arts in journalism from New Mexico State University in 2006. pens and calculator over the engineering drawings image by Elnur from. You can’t expect to land a massive job when you first start your business. But boy is it invigorating too. Are you intellectually and creatively satisfied working for yourself? Thanks, Glen! If you are starting a mechanical engineering firm, for instance, decide if you want to bring civil, computer or electrical engineers into your company. Much like your engineering projects, you want your business to last a long time. They don’t give you second chances. We solve problems. Consulting firm - should you start your engineering projects, you are about to embark on an exciting.! Out what you need to have a strong start 101 for engineering to... 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