Before coming to Canada, I have been a solar power design engineer for the past 6 years. I have created designs and managed installations of systems of varying sizes, whether they are to be installed in a small structure like a house or large structures like factories, commercial buildings or warehouses.
The one common thing that ties these installations is the fact that the companies I had worked for sold the promise of savings, both monetary and environmentally, to every client that they interact with. And that is where I want to pinpoint the discussion. I will not go into technical details and nuances of the trade I did before but just give a general overview of what I believe is the ethics of using and selling high technology.
The solar power industry is the most popular and affordable example of high technology “personalized electrical power plant” that I can say, compared to other renewable technologies like wind and hydroelectric. The technology itself is very basic: Sunlight is converted to electricity. But the HOW is full of many jargon, pitfalls, and traps. In my experiences as I designer, I am required, by the agreement, to create a full suite of documentation for the system I am designing. I also need to inform the prospective client of all the things that the system I design can do and the limitations it may reach. In some large installations, I am also included in presentation meetings with the sales team so I can inform the client of the true capabilities that the system they want to buy. This is done in order for the client to fully understand the benefits and downsides of what the companies specifically offer, and not be carried away by hype or other irrational things that may cloud their judgement.
1 February 2022 at 12:42 am
What I have presented is based on my work experiences before. I have shared it but I am not sure if this is aligned with the concepts required by the task. I am aiming in exposing one of the problematic marketing ethics that I feel should be a concern – that is, presenting a bunch of scientific and technical jargon, meaning words and terms that do not connect to the client. I realized that this is actually a problem with all new technologies being sold like in the case of cellphones, features in a car, or in an application. Most of the marketing involved for these products focuses on “hyping” the product and not specifically showing the benefits to prospective buyers.
3 February 2022 at 5:57 pm
This is super interesting and it’s an ideal post as you shared a story that is very deeply tied to ethics, regulation industry gaps and that is from your experience and you have presented in your comment above why it was worthwhile presenting. I think this is one we can all learn from and get engaged with.
4 February 2022 at 2:25 am
Thank you for appreciating the post. In my previous job where I am included
on project presentations, I always tried to inform the clients about specifics and “kinks” about what we are offering, and how well I think it supports their savings goals. Not for altruism but I just don’t want to deal with “post-installation support” and other headaches that come just because the clients have a “fantasy version” of our products that we cannot satisfy.