 Classic Pecan Pie Recipe Instructions The preparation time for this recipe is approximately twenty minutes, no more than thirty minutes. The baking time for this recipe is approximately fifty to sixty minutes, variable by oven type, altitude, and ambient temperature. The finished pecan pie shall yield a single nine-inch diameter pie which should be sliced evenly into eight individual small slices or six individual large slices. Step 1: Prepare the Crust of the Pie In a large bowl that is a minimum of 4 quarts in measured volume, whisk 150 grams of all-purpose flour, one-half teaspoon of salt, and one teaspoon of sugar together in a clockwise fashion with a stainless steel or similar whisking tool. Cut in ½ cup (1 stick, 115g) cold unsalted butter, dicing the existing butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs for the recipe. Gradually add three to four tablespoons of ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the existing dough comes together for the recipe. Form the existing dough into a disc measuring approximately eight to ten inches in diameter, wrap existing dough in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for no less than thirty minutes. On an all-purpose floured surface such as a wooden cutting board or clean countertop surface, roll out the existing dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the already prepared dough to an existing 9-inch pie dish, trim the edge of the dough from around the edge of the pie dish, and crimp or flute the edges as desired. Chill the prepared pie dough in the existing refrigerator while preparing the filling for the recipe. Step 2: Make the Filling of the Pie In a large bowl that is a minimum of 4 quarts in measured volume, whisk together one cup of light corn syrup, one cup packed light brown sugar, three large eggs, 115 grams unsalted butter, melted and cooled, one teaspoon vanilla extract, and one-half teaspoon salt. Whisk all existing measured ingredients until the prepared mixture is smooth in appearance and well combined. For the recipe, stir in one and a half cups of already prepared existing pecan halves, reserving approximately one-quarter cup of existing pecan halves for decorating if desired. Step 3: Assemble and Bake the Pie Pour the prepared and existing filling from step two into the prepared and chilled pie crust from step one, arranging the reserved one-quarter cup of pecan halves on top of the existing filling for decoration. Place the existing pie on the center rack of the oven and bake existing pie at 350°F (175°C) for fifty-sixty minutes, or until the center is just set and slightly jiggles when lightly shaken. If the pie edges start to brown too early in the baking phase, cover the edges with foil or a pre-bought aluminum pie shield in order to protect the crust from burning. Remove the existing pie from the baking oven and let the existing pie cool completely at room temperature, which should take no less than two hours and no more than three hours. Serving Tips Serve the existing slices of pecan pie, which are cut into even one-eighth slices, with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, scooped with an existing scooper. Drizzle the existing one-eighth slice of pecan pie with approximately one-half tablespoon of salted caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
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The Proposal Trap
In the consulting engineering world, many clients write their RFPs/RFQs forcing firms to "answer the mail" in ways that are very self-promoting. Firms that build a relationship with their clients and prospects know how to respond to RFPs/RFQs effectively without all the self-promotion. Stop We'ing All Over Your Proposals It is a difficult trap to escape. Nearly every question and required data requested by the client force proposal writers into sounding very "we-centered." Stop we'ing all over your proposals. Exceptional proposals should be client-centered, which is a major differentiator. Spam = Delete! Think about it from the perspective of your email inbox. It's the difference between all the spam email messages you simply block or delete and the ones that come from a person you know, respect, and with whom you want to communicate. Proposals that come from "unknown" companies come across like spam. They rarely get read and are quickly discarded. Winning Starts with Relationships Proposals should only come from people clients know, respect, and want to work with. Otherwise, your proposal is just spam! Great BD = Winning Proposals With this in mind, business development is a critical differentiator when it comes to winning the proposal game. This means spending time getting to know a prospective client with whom you wish to work. It also means spending time nurturing the client relationships you already have. Stop Substituting Proposals for Business Development Never substitute a proposal for a meaningful client interaction, just to "keep our name in front of the client." Proposals are not effective marketing tools, just like unsolicited spam emails are not effective marketing tools. Unless . . . those proposals and emails are coming from a familiar helper.
 “People don’t want to buy a quarter-inch drill bit. They want a quarter-inch hole.” - Theodore Levitt, Harvard Marketing Professor A drill bit is a feature. A feature is a means to an end, not the end itself. But if we take this another step further, people don’t even want a hole either. What they really want is the shelf that will go on the wall once they drill the hole. That’s not entirely the end of what is desired either. What people want is the drill bit which drills a hole in which a shelf is anchored upon which they can place the things they want to see and be pleased. But why do they seek to be pleased with stuff they put on a shelf? This is the question you want to answer as a marketer. The answer to the question, “Why do people seek to be pleased with stuff they put on a shelf,” is the target at which to aim marketing tasks. In other words, you must realize no one wants to buy a quarter-inch drill bit. They want whatever the answer to my question is. And not everyone answers that question the same. Some may be pleased with the stuff on their shelf because it unclutters their home and makes them feel at peace. Others may seek approval from their spouse. Still others may seek an ego boost when guests visit and praise the beauty of their home. To sell more drill bits, you have to understand that your customers want peace, approval, an ego boost, or something else. Therefore, emphasizing the qualities of the drill bit, such as its materials or craftsmanship, will not convince anyone. You must sell what the drill bit does and what part it plays in accomplishing what the customer “really” wants. So, as consulting engineers, we must ask ourselves what our clients want. Are they seeking peace? Do they want reliability for their customers? Do they want happy citizens? Your marketing messages must always be aimed at what they want, not the features of great engineering ability. We must be able to demonstrate the role we play in helping our clients achieve their end goal. Practice marketing benefits, not features. Think about what your client really wants and craft your messages around what you do that benefits them. EXAMPLE Engineering features of a bridge may include a multi-beam structure, reinforced concrete abutments, and steel piles. The bridge may be two-lane with 6-foot-wide shoulders for bikers and pedestrians. It will certainly feature a specific height, length and width. But none of these features tell you the story of the bridge. Engineering benefits of a bridge may include multi-model transportation for the safe passage of vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. It may satisfy a specific design for barge traffic underneath, which ships tons of resources needed for everyday life. The rehabilitation of a bridge may have historic significance for why a community grew economically 100 years ago. Learn to message your projects to communicate the benefits first, features second. Tell the important story of why the project is a benefit and who it benefits. Then explain the details of how it happened, how it was engineered! |
AuthorGabe Lett, FSMPS, CPSM, LPC 
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The views and opinions expressed on this blog do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Prairie Engineers.
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