New CPSM Eric Larson
Posted by Communications2 on May. 17, 2022 / Member Spotlight, Member News / Subscribe 0
Eric Larson is someone who is always looking to improve his knowledge and understanding of marketing, specifically in the AEC industry. As the marketing manager at CRS Engineering & Surveying, he leads marketing and business development efforts for the full-service civil engineering firm. As is common with many AEC marketers, Eric wears a lot of hats and enjoys the variety of tasks including proposals, digital initiatives, and branding.
As he looked at possible learning options to enhance his marketing skills, Eric’s boss suggested the Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) designation. After talking with a local SMPS Utah member about the credential, Eric recognized it was a great option for meeting his ongoing pursuit of knowledge. It also didn’t hurt that he could take advantage of the special reimbursement benefit available to SMPS Utah members who tested to become CPSM certified.
Joining a study group and getting acquainted with the study guide and material were key first steps for Eric. So was getting back into the test-taking mode. “With a test as challenging as the CPSM exam, I had to find ways of studying that kept me focused, engaged, and able to remember all the detailed information I was combing through,” he shares. He looked to chapter members who had previously taken the exam and asked what helped them learn and prepare. After hearing what worked and didn’t work, he then adjusted his own study methods.
Eric found study groups helpful (he was in two!) and appreciated the focus and commitment of each member. “The best part of the groups was when we took questions from the practice exam and then discussed what made the answer the most correct and why the others weren’t right,” he recalls. The group went through the study material and found why each option was correct or incorrect. The group discussions also helped Eric see questions and answers from another perspective.
While the study guide and practice tests serve as a useful and authoritative road map, Eric suggests not letting them rule your focus. “Study what’s asked on the practice tests and don’t just memorize the answer,” he recommends. He also encourages studiers to be consistent. “I found studying for an hour or two each day much more effective than trying to spend an entire day to catch up.”
What’s next for our chapter’s new CPSM? Using the confidence and knowledge gained from this CPSM process, Eric is implementing what he’s learned and turning the concepts into results to take CRS marketing efforts to higher levels. We’re also confident Eric will use his new credential to elevate professional standards in marketing and influence the future of our field and the SMPS Utah chapter.
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