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...
In Memory of Woody Vogt, GBA President 2018-2019
It is with a heavy heart that we must share the passing of a dear friend and significant contributor to the Geoprofessional Business Association, numerous other associations, and the geoprofessions.
On Friday, June 3rd., Woodward L. “Woody” Vogt, P.E., D. GE, F. GBA, F. ACI, F. ASCE, F. ASTM (Paradigm Consultants/CMT) passed away after complications associated with brain surgery that was performed in March.
Despite his long list of professional licenses, and well-earned titles as diplomate and fellow, to everyone, he was simply “Woody”. Mr. Vogt was President of Paradigm Consultants, Inc. in Houston which was recently purchased by CMT Engineering Laboratories. He had more than 40 years’ experience providing geotechnical, construction materials and investigative and forensi...
Toddies with Tom July 9, 2021
You are cordially invited to join GBA’s President Tom Blackburn for a casual afternoon of information and social networking with friends and colleagues from across GBA.
Tom will introduce you to friends as we wind down the week and toast the weekend with a seasonal beverage. Please join us for a fun and informative hour.
Date: July 9, 2021
Time: 5:00 PM Eastern
Register: E-mail GBA Here
Topics will include:
Welcome Tom Blackburn, P.E., G.E., F.ASCE; F.ACEC (Blackburn Consulting) GBA President
“Critical Success Factors for a Healthy Business” David Coduto (Terra Insurance Co)
Terra Insurance Company is the highest rated professional liability carrier in the United States according to AM Best’s capital adequacy ratio analysis (BCAR). According to Best, our loss ra...
GBA AWARDS RECIPIENTS
GBA is a volunteer organization. Almost all the resources we produce for our members, our contributions to the geoprofessional community, and our conferences are mostly driven by volunteer leaders.
Each Spring, during our conference we recognize those that have contributed to GBA in a significant way. During the 2021 Spring Conference, awards were given to firms and individuals who exhibited extraordinary support and meritorious performance during our 2020–2021 fiscal year. Those recognized during the Annual Awards Ceremony were:
CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION
Each year we ask our Committees and Councils to provide us with the names of people that have contributed to our Association during the past year. Based on this list, we have more people contributing to GBA at a level high...
We Were Hacked! Cyber Attack Causes Total Business Disruption
Business Practices Committee
A Member-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, information storage and data, unbeknownst to anyone. After obtaining and securing all that they needed, they locked the access to the IT systems, including emails and files and demanded seven-figure sum of money to release the records.
What happens next?
Case Histories are real-life stories about GBA member-firm experiences. They provide background, problems, outcomes, and lessons learned. There is no easier way to learn expe...
PRACTICE GUIDE #33: COMMUNITIES, TRAINS, AND TRAINYARDS: EXPLORING POLICY OPTIONS FOR AFFECTED…
This practice guide addresses how communities can work with rail carriers and regulators to improve community well-being and enact appropriate regulations to preemptively protect community health......
PRACTICE GUIDE #34: USING PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY TO IMPROVE STUDENT HEALTH
The rising obesity rate among children under 18 is a critical public health issue and has led to illnesses normally associated with adults being detected among school-age children. Poor eating......
PREACQUISITION SITE ASSESSMENTS: RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES FOR CONSULTING ENGINEERING FIRMS
Based on research conducted by GBA's Geoenvironmental Committee, this document discusses the standard of care members said they followed in 1989 when conducting Phase I Environmental......
PRELIMINARY SITE ASSESSMENTS: THE STATE OF THE PRACTICE/INITIAL REPORT
This nine-page booklet documents the results of GBA's 1990 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment survey. Released in July 1991, it explains the need for identifying a standard of care and......
PREVENTING INJURIES WHEN WORKING WITH HYDRAULIC EXCAVATORS AND BACKHOE LOADERS
A National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) review of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) data identified 346 deaths associated......
PREVENTING WORKER DEATHS FROM TRENCH CAVE-INS
Workers are at risk of death from cave-ins during trenching and excavation activities. NIOSH recommends engineering controls, protective equipment, and safe work practices to minimize hazards for......
PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY LOSS PREVENTION EDUCATION PROGRAM
Perhaps the most comprehensive professional-liability, loss-prevention program ever created, and unquestionably the most flexible, this modular series of 18 MP3s (formerly CDs) can be used to......
PROJECT MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTALS, PROGRAM 01 “PERSONAL LIABILITY”
Part of GBA's outstanding audio education designed for one-on-one listening by project managers, and/or as material to spur discussion during brownbag seminars or other informal training sessions......
PROJECT MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTALS, PROGRAM 02 “STANDARD OF CARE”
Part of GBA's outstanding audio education programming designed for one-on-one listening by project managers, and/or as material to spur discussion during brownbag seminars or other informal......
PROJECT MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTALS, PROGRAM 03 “WHAT CLIENTS REALLY WANT”
Part of GBA's outstanding audio education designed for one-on-one listening by project managers, and/or as material to spur discussion during brownbag seminars or other informal training sessions......
PROJECT MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTALS, PROGRAM 04 “CONTRACTS AND CONTRACT FORMATION”
Part of GBA's outstanding audio education designed for one-on-one listening by project managers, and/or as material to spur discussion during brownbag seminars or other informal training sessions......
PROJECT MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTALS, PROGRAM 05 “EXPECTATIONS MANAGEMENT”
Part of GBA's outstanding audio education designed for one-on-one listening by project managers, and/or as material to spur discussion during brownbag seminars or other informal training sessions......
PROJECT MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTALS, PROGRAM 06 “PREVENTING BUDGET OVERRUNS”
Part of GBA's outstanding audio education designed for one-on-one listening by project managers, and/or as material to spur discussion during brownbag seminars or other informal training sessions......
PROJECT MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTALS, PROGRAM 07 “LIMITATION OF LIABILITY”
Part of GBA's outstanding audio education designed for one-on-one listening by project managers, and/or as material to spur discussion during brownbag seminars or other informal training sessions......
PROJECT MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTALS, PROGRAM 08 “DOCUMENTATION”
Part of GBA's outstanding audio education designed for one-on-one listening by project managers, and/or as material to spur discussion during brownbag seminars or other informal training sessions......