Best Practices When Conducting an Expert Interview
Get the Most out of Your Vendux Connect™ Expert
Expert interviews are a powerful tool for gaining specialized knowledge, validating strategic decisions, and avoiding costly missteps. Whether you’re a business leader, investor, or consultant, speaking directly with an industry expert can provide insights that would take months to gather otherwise. With the launch of Vendux Connect™, our expert network is making it easier than ever to connect with seasoned sales professionals across industries for one-on-one consultations.
To ensure you maximize the value of your expert interview, it’s critical to approach it with structure and strategy. Here are the best practices to follow when conducting an expert interview.
1. Define Your Objective Clearly
Before engaging with an expert, be crystal clear about what you want to learn. Are you trying to assess market trends? Validate a business strategy? Understand competitive dynamics? A focused objective allows you to ask precise questions and get actionable insights rather than vague or generic responses.
Best Practice: Write down 2-3 key objectives before the interview and structure your questions around them.
2. Choose the Right Expert(s)
Selecting an expert or experts with the right background and experience is crucial. While someone may have deep knowledge of an industry, they may not have direct experience with your specific area of interest.
Best Practice: Review the expert’s profile, paying attention to their work history, areas of specialization, and recent industry involvement. Platforms like Vendux Connect™ make it easy to match with experts who align with your needs.
3. Prepare Smart, Open-Ended Questions
The best insights come from well-crafted, open-ended questions that allow the expert to share their perspective rather than simple yes/no answers. Prioritize questions that draw from their experience and lead to discussion rather than just data points.
Examples:
Instead of: "Is the market growing?"
Ask: "What factors are currently driving growth in this market?"
Instead of: "Are competitors investing in AI?"
Ask: "How are competitors leveraging AI, and what impact has it had on the industry?"
4. Structure the Interview for Efficiency
Most expert interviews are time-bound (typically 30-60 minutes), so it’s important to structure them efficiently.
A simple framework:
Introduction (5 min): Briefly introduce yourself, explain your objective, and establish rapport.
Core Questions (30-45 min): Dive into prepared questions but remain flexible for follow-ups.
Wrap-Up (5 min): Summarize key takeaways, ask if there are any additional insights the expert wants to share, and discuss potential next steps if applicable.
Best Practice: Send a short agenda beforehand so the expert knows what to expect.
5. Listen Actively and Adapt
While preparation is key, the most valuable insights often emerge organically. Stay engaged, ask follow-up questions, and explore unexpected insights that arise during the conversation.
Best Practice: Take notes but avoid excessive typing or writing, as it can disrupt the flow of conversation. If permissible, recording the session (with the expert’s consent) allows for better retention and post-call analysis.
6. Validate and Cross-Check Information
Experts provide valuable insights, but no single perspective should be taken as absolute truth. Validate key points by consulting multiple experts, cross-referencing with industry reports, or discussing findings internally.
Best Practice: If an expert provides surprising or counterintuitive insights, ask, "What led you to that conclusion?" or "How does that compare with what you've seen in other parts of the industry?” Also, interview more than one expert. The collective provides a broader and deeper perspective.
7. End on a Strong Note
Wrap up the interview professionally by summarizing key learnings and thank the expert.
When your business is ready to learn by interviewing experts, let’s talk. We’re ready to connect you with the right expert.