How can you become a subject matter expert in your clients' industries?

Research research research. Read broadly and often. Ask questions wherever you go. Develop the habit of asking why. Acquiring domain expertise is a skill that is sharpened by constant practice like any other. Your client wants you to find building-sized industrial heat converter for ore refining? You have never heard of the device before, but you know what a competent factory looks and sounds like, and you understand concepts like heat conductivity and Bar because you've kept up with your physics. For fun. You're actually a pol/econ major. Efficient research is not a discrete task. It's a mindset.

Follow Industry Leaders on LinkedIn! A great way to learn more about an industry is to actually follow its leaders on LinkedIn. Especially in the comment section, you will be able to discover pain points and areas of excitement, and you will be able to network with individuals to learn even more.

To become an SME in your clients' industries, you need to understand their businesses, engage in continuous learning, network within the industry, ask questions, participate in forums, read industry reports, attend training, build relationships with industry experts, use internal and external resources, create and share industry-specific content, attend client training sessions, and stay technologically current. This ongoing process will help you build trust, provide tailored solutions, and enhance your business partnership effectiveness.

To become an expert in your clients' industries, regularly research and stay updated with industry trends and news. This includes following relevant publications, attending industry conferences, and networking with industry professionals. Being well-informed helps you understand the current landscape and future directions of the industry.

Utilize online resources such as industry blogs, newsletters, podcasts, webinars, reports, and social media to gain insights into current issues, opportunities, and innovations. Subscribing to relevant publications, attending industry events, and joining professional associations are also effective strategies for networking and exchanging insights with other experts, enhancing your understanding and expertise in your clients’ sectors.

Asking clients targeted questions about their industry is crucial. It helps gain insights into specific challenges and needs, enabling you to tailor your services more effectively. Focus on understanding their perspectives, pain points, and aspirations within their industry.

Taking online courses or earning certifications in your clients' industries enhances your expertise and credibility. It shows commitment to understanding their field and equips you with industry-specific knowledge and skills, enabling you to provide more valuable and informed services.

Quarterly Learning Sprints A technique I utilize is quarterly learning sprints. I am picking one technical topic, like Google Cloud Platform, and devoting a quarter to learning the terminology and high-level concepts and trying to get hands-on experience. The following quarter, I either chose to go deeper into the same topic (like cloud networking) or broader (like Microsoft Azure). Following this technique for a few quarters allows you to build a web of complementing information.

Creating and sharing content related to your clients' industries demonstrates your expertise and engagement. This can include writing articles, creating videos, or hosting webinars. It not only showcases your knowledge but also helps in building a network of industry professionals and potential clients.

Find your clients niche on YouTube! YouTube has more than 2.7 billion active users, and 720,000 hours of video are uploaded every day. It's an outstanding platform to learn about more niche markets and engage directly with like-minded individuals via comments.