Inspiring Leaders to Bring Out the Best in Their Teams
Welcome to GBA’s Leadership Lounge – a podcast series that will teach you how to elevate your team – but only if you tune in!
In the latest episode of this GBA Podcast series, we catch up with executive coach Val Ries, author of “Chief Inspiration Officer.” Ries emphasizes the importance of communication, acknowledging and validating, and understanding different communication styles through DISC assessments.
Val is the founder of Executive Muse, which offers leadership development coaching and training programs. She is also a past guest on GBA’s 4thFriday40 Leadership Series and led a session on “Emotional Intelligence 101: How Our Reactions Impact Engagement” at GBA’s 2015 Fall Conference.
Listen in as Ries highlights the significance of self-awareness and...
Building the Teams That Build Your Projects
Have you ever wondered how a skilled business coach can help you or your firm? If so, you’re in the right place. Welcome to GBA’s Leadership Lounge – a podcast series that will teach you how to elevate your team – but only if you tune in!
In the latest episode, GBA Podcast hosts catch up with Sydne Jacques, P.E., CSP, a business coach who specializes in leadership and team development, particularly within the engineering and construction industries. Jacques discusses her career journey, her coaching philosophy, and several frameworks she uses to improve team communication, address conflict, and foster a positive work environment.
Sydne, the CEO of Next Level Leadership, is a professional engineer turned professional speaker and consultant who is often referred to as "the ...
Message from the Executive Director: I Was Hacked! Lessons Learned
GBA Executive Director Joel Carson
On Wednesday, July 17, I received a call from a GBA Board Member asking if I was trying to send him a proposal. While this seemed suspicious, I just told him it must be a phishing effort and asked him to disregard the email.
That was the start of an onslaught of emails, text messages, and phone calls from friends and colleagues from across North America. It quickly became apparent that my Microsoft Outlook account had been hacked and I became very concerned, very quickly. I thought about worst case scenarios and started sweating.
Here are the steps I took to overcome this significant issue.
SECURE ACCOUNT
I quickly contacted GBA’s IT consultant who thankfully is always quick to respond, even though today he was in an important meeting. He s...
New Podcast! Geophysics Provides the Confidence to Build
GBA Multimedia Delivery Committee
GBA has published more than 115 case histories based on real-life events that have happened to geoprofessional firms. GBA Case Histories are unique
because our members share real-life stories of problems that impacted their businesses. They also include the outcomes of corrective action, and lessons learned.
GBA’s Multimedia Delivery Committee also delivers select Case Histories as podcasts.
In the latest episode, host Elizabeth Brown, P.E. (Atlas Technical Consultants) and guest Andy Siemens, P.E. (Siemens Associates) explore how one GBA member firm turned an “unbuildable” site into a construction-ready plot using advanced geophysical exploration.
As described in GBA Case History #114, a school’s bui...
GBA Launches New Podcast Series: Leadership Lounge
GBA Multimedia Delivery Committee
Have you ever wondered how a skilled coach might be able to help you or your firm? GBA’s Multimedia Delivery Committee launched a new GBA Podcast series called “Leadership Lounge” that features exclusive interviews with business coaches on topics like communication, culture crafting, and igniting innovation.
In each episode, hosts Tiffany Vorhies, NACE CIP2 (SME) and Ryan White, P.E., G.E., F.ASCE (PBS Engineering + Environmental) share ideas to elevate your team as they have conversations with business coaches who share their tools, insights, and practical tips.
The first episode of the Leadership Lounge series, “How to Communicate Like a Hostage Negotiator,” is available now on the GBA Podcast websi...
GBA Launches New Podcast Series: Management Best Practices
GBA Multimedia Delivery Committee
GBA’s Multimedia Delivery Committee launched a new GBA Podcast series called “Management Best Practices” that will dive into some of the unique challenges faced by geoprofessional consulting managers and supervisors.
Becoming a manager or supervisor is an important step in many people’s professional careers, and it introduces a set of new responsibilities that they may not have had in their prior role. This new podcast series highlights a handful of those responsibilities, the challenges that can go along with them, and best practices for navigating through them. The episodes in this series will provide valuable advice for new as well as seasoned managers or supervisors.
The first episode of the Managemen...
The Best of GBA 2023
We hope you had a great holiday season. As we reflect on a successful year, we would like to take a moment to thank all our loyal members, dedicated volunteers, and valuable business partners.
Below are the most popular NEWSlog stories in 2023, based on subscriber clicks. Our complimentary newsletter is published every two weeks and provides insight into opportunities and threats so your business can adapt and be more responsive, including the latest information on effective practices, legal rulings, educational events, contract clauses, employee recruitment and retention, and GBA itself.
Would you like to receive NEWSlog? SIGN UP HERE.
Happy New Year! We look forward to serving you in 2024 and beyond.
GBA News
1. ChatGPT: A Tipping Point or Disrupter for GBA Members? – ...
GBA Podcasts Reach 10,000 Downloads
Multimedia Delivery Committee
GBA is celebrating today as the GBA Podcast has reached a momentous milestone of 10,000 downloads. GBA podcasts present information and expertise from geoprofessionals around the globe to provide their peers with wisdom and insight to optimize their business and reduce risk.
“This exciting achievement stands as a testament to the growing popularity and influence of the podcasts, which were launched with the mission to enrich the educational landscape and extend GBA Member-Firms’ valuable insights to geoprofessionals,” said Multimedia Delivery Committee Chair Tiffany Vorhies, NACE CIP2 (SME).
GBA podcasts were the brainchild of GBA’s Emerging Leaders Class 4 in 2020.
“We created the GBA Podcast to make th...
Streaming Now: GBA Podcast Completes Six-Episode Audio Education Series for Field Professionals
Multimedia Delivery Committee
As geoprofessionals, owners rely on our oversight to ensure that projects go according to plan. But too often, we encounter obstacles that can potentially derail operations, jeopardizing partnerships and public safety in the process.
In the latest installment of the GBA Podcast – the Audio Education Series – hosts Tiffany Vorhies, NACE CIP2 (SME) and Ryan White, P.E., G.E., F.ASCE (PBS Engineering + Environmental) address some of the most challenging aspects of field representation. From navigating business relationships to forming prudent field reporting habits, this series contains helpful insights for the novice and seasoned pro.
Episodes in the Audio Education series include:
• Briefing and Being Briefed
• Safety
• Perso...
Top 10 Resources for 2023 (So Far!)
GBA provides hundreds of highly effective resources developed to satisfy the unique needs of geoprofessionals, giving members essential tools for achieving success. However, we also know that it can be overwhelming to sort through them all. To help, we have compiled a list of the top 10 GBA resources by numbers ordered for the last six months. This is a great place to start your exploration of GBA’s resources, or to get acquainted with a publication loved by your peers and “new to you”.
1. GBA Business Brief: Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Financial-Performance Survey
This GBA Business Brief — available only to members and free of charge – comprises the key financial-performance issues surveyed firms reported.
2. GBA Best Practice: Project R...
2023 Spring Conference Recordings Available
Relive all your favorite, most inspiring moments from GBA’s 2023 Spring Conference as you prepare to ELEVATE LEADERSHIP: EMPOWER, GUIDE, INSPIRE.
Watch, listen to, and learn from our lineup of speakers on your own schedule as they discuss winning the war for top talent, a new approach to DEI efforts, the power of leadership, and more.
These videos are available for all GBA members on-demand at your convenience.
Watch Conference Recordings: HERE
Download the handouts.
SP23-01 Leading through Breakdowns to Breakthroughs
What does every leader fret about? Recruiting and retaining great people. The war for talent.
Winning this war and attracting top talent requires top-level culture. And a great culture is created by great leaders; those ...
2023 Spring Conference Proceedings
Members: Make sure you are logged in when viewing these videos to get free, easy access to them.
Download the handouts.
NEW PODCAST – $150 Million Near Miss!
Multimedia Delivery Committee
GBA has published over 110 case histories based on real-life events that have happened to geoprofessional firms. GBA Case Histories are unique because our members share real-life stories of problems that impacted their businesses. They also include the outcomes of corrective action, and lessons learned.
GBA’s Multimedia Delivery Committee is now delivering select Case Histories as Podcasts.
In this episode, a GBA-Member Firm’s CEO and the developer’s CEO had worked together successfully on numerous projects for more than 15 years, establishing a friendship based on mutual respect and trust. This project was the developer’s most ambitious to date, by virtue of its size, local prominence, and complexity. Among other th...
New Podcast – We Were Hacked! Cyber Attack Causes Total Business Disruption
Multimedia Delivery Committee
GBA has published over 110 case histories based on real-life events that have happened to geoprofessional firms. GBA Case Histories are unique because our members share real-life stories of problems that impacted their businesses. They also include the outcomes of corrective action, and lessons learned.
GBA’s Multimedia Delivery Committee is now delivering select Case Histories as Podcasts.
In this episode, a Member-Firm with firm with multiple offices became the victim of foreign hacking enterprise. When an employee of the firm opened an email from an unsuspected contact, and clicked on a link, the hackers reached the Firm’s management systems. Once they got access to the systems, the infiltrators spent months learning about the operations, infor...
TOP 10 Resources List for 2022
GBA provides hundreds of highly effective resources developed to satisfy the unique needs of geoprofessionals, giving members essential tools for achieving success. However, we also know that it can be overwhelming to sort through them all. To help, we have compiled a list of the top 10 GBA resources by numbers ordered in 2022. This is a great place to start your exploration of GBA’s resources, or to get acquainted with a publication loved by your peers and “new to you”.
The list below is the top 10 GBA resources, in order by popularity. Topics cover a wide range of geoprofessional business issues, so there is certain to be something on this list that could help your business succeed. Select a title to l...
MODEL REPORTING FORMS FOR GEOENVIRONMENTAL FIELD OBSERVATION
This booklet provides sample reporting forms for geoenvironmental field observation and suggestions for preparing similar forms for your own firm. Includes a model daily field report (DFR) form......
MOIST-CURING ROOM DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND MAINTENANCE
Published by GBA's Construction-Materials Engineering and Testing Business Council (CoMETBC), Moist-Curing Room Design, Construction, and Maintenance was authored by Woodward L. "Woody"......
NATIONAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE FOR GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER OF RECORD
The guideline delineates responsibilities of the geotechnical engineer of record (GER), the range and nature of basic services that should be included in the GER's scope of service, and additional......
PEER REVIEW: TEAM CAPTAIN HOME REFRESHER COURSE
Self-guided training for those interested in leading a Peer Review team, or even just being part of the team. The training is presented as a PowerPoint presentation with accompanying audio......
Phase 1 ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENTS 2007-2010
This extraordinary survey report is based principally upon the in-depth review of 162 Phase I ESA reports submitted by 148 firms that prepared, in aggregate, almost 22,000 such reports annually......
PHASE I AND II ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENTS: NATIONAL PROCEDURES REVIEW
The survey report covers both Phase I and Phase II ESA procedures used in 1994. The first survey to delineate Phase II ESA practices, it reveals relatively little consensus......
PHASE I AND PHASE II ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENTS: RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES FOR…
This guide presents an overview of Phase I and Phase II ESAs in an effort to help consultants and clients agree on the scope of services needed. It addresses basic issues that help clients......
PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENTS: THE STATE OF THE PRACTICE
An update of the Phase I ESA standard of practice, based on 1992 data derived from questionnaire responses and a review of actual reports. Information reviewed in prior reports is covered here......
PRACTICE ALERT 11: RETAINING FIELD PERSONNEL
Retaining field personnel has become an increasingly important concern for GBA-Member Firms that experience seasonal slowdowns, most commonly during winter months. The lay-off-then-rehire-later......
PRACTICE ALERT 12: BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT: AN INTRODUCTION
Urban decay and sprawl are long-term national problems that have been seriously exacerbated by federal and state laws that have created significant risks for those who own or are otherwise......
PRACTICE ALERT 23: SITE SAFETY AND THE FIELD REPRESENTATIVE
Construction sites are among the most hazardous of all U.S. workplaces. The accidents involved, many fatal, have led to a proliferation of lawsuits and increased scrutiny by the U.S. Occupational......
PRACTICE ALERT 25: OPPORTUNITIES FOR MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT IDENTIFIED THROUGH ASFE…
Participating in GBA Peer Review does not necessarily make a firm better than its competitors, but it can make a firm better than it was before, by identifying opportunities for improvement and......
PRACTICE ALERT 33: LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: THE STATE OF THE PRACTICE
GBA introduced the limitation of liability (LoL) concept to engineering and environmental consultants in 1969. By applying the concept, the consultants and their clients agree to limit the......
PRACTICE ALERT 41: DEALING WITH AGC 630, STANDARD FORM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN CONTRACTOR…
Contractors retain GBA-Member Firms to perform construction materials engineering and testing (CoMET) services for one of two reasons: To obtain quality control (QC) services the contractors are......
PRACTICE ALERT 53: THE CRYSTAL BALL WORKSHOP: TEN CERTAIN TRENDS TO CONSIDER NOW
GBA's Emerging Issues and Trends Committee, joined by GBA's leadership, industry experts, and strategic-planning facilitators comprised the "Crystal Ball Workshop" held in July 2011 to identify and......