Have you ever wondered what is so “special” about a commercial field specialist? We’ve asked Nick Jones, who has spent 9+ years in the role to demystify some of its ins and outs for us and our audience. It may not be as glamorous as being an astronaut or runway model, but there’s some real magic to what he does. Read on!
Here’s how Nick describes his role: “Support, train, and assist electrical contractors, distributors, manufacturer representatives, utilities, and other companies to propose, sell and complete energy-efficient commercial and industrial projects.”
Of course, that’s just what he does. What makes the commercial field specialist role magical is the way it transforms program knowledge into partner participation. And increasing engagement with these programs means reduced energy usage and energy cost savings for all!
This is what people mean when they say that “Knowledge is power”. Only in this case, it’s more like “Knowledge saves power” by reducing demand!
There isn’t any big mystery behind the role. Utility companies offer incentive programs to encourage their customers to use more energy-efficient equipment. Unfortunately, contractors and distributors can be so caught up in doing what their customers ask that they don’t consider other basic needs or ways to save the customer money. This is where having a trusted field specialist on the team comes in handy.
For example, a customer might be asking for effective lighting, comfortable indoor conditions, and protection from the elements. Any LED light bulb, HVAC equipment or insulation can make that happen. A knowledgeable field specialist lets you go a step further, identifying the ideal products for a specific project to deliver better results. These recommendations don’t just give the customers what they need, they save both energy and money at the same time. And that gets you a satisfied, and likely a repeat, customer. In other words, “Knowledge is Savings.”
Nick and other field specialists share their knowledge (power) by offering in-person and online courses, visiting and training contractors, accompanying them on customer audits and site visits and offering marketing materials. But, most importantly, Nick listens carefully to both trade allies and community members to ensure he understands their needs.
If you are wondering if Nick magically fell into this superhero role, that’s not quite how it happened. He started as a salesperson for a wholesale electrical distributor. In that position, he found that leaning on lighting incentive programs helped to sell projects while gaining the trust of both electrical contractors and the communities they serve. Joining Evergreen as a field specialist was the logical next step, a role where he could transform his skills and knowledge into an energy efficiency supporting superpower.
Of course, there is always more to learn. One reason Nick likes being part of the Evergreen team is the continuing support for his education; staying abreast of industry trends and technologies is the best way for him to deliver results for his clients. And Evergreen gives him the autonomy to meet the needs of end users with flexible services that provide support where they need it most.
As technologies and the needs of the world change focus, energy priorities will change. Amidst this shifting landscape, having people like Nick on our team ensures that Evergreen will always be up to date on the best ways to deliver value to our customers.
