The Geoholics

Talk about an all-star cast of characters...this one did not disappoint! The boys were joined this week by Steve Gangwal, Owner of Gangwal Enterprises, Inc., Nolan Mark LS, Owner of On The Mark Land Surveying LLC, Michael Thompson LS, President at Halma Thompson Land Surveys Ltd., and Will Wing, LS Owner Operator\CEO at Infinity Land Surveying, LLC. If you can maneuver your attention around all that was going on throughout this episode there was some amazing content shared by this group that everyone will be able to related to. We had this same general conversation on Episode 101 from a larger company perspective and we believe you will find the views these small business owners to be equally intriguing. PJ told us about DART/FART, BS had TK envy and DD got bit by Lucy the street dog. Steve Jobs & Tony Robbins were quoted. Music for this episode by J. Roddy Walston & The Business. Happy (U.S.) Thanksgiving everyone...be safe!

Ahoy Geoholics! The boys took a 1-hour tour this week with off-shore surveyor Landon Jakse. Landon is not only an intelligent (fellow SIU-C grad...Go Salukis!), handsome man that can cook and rebuild Triumphs, he is also a PM in the offshore survey and positioning operations for Oceaneering. This was such an interesting conversation about a survey "discipline" that is rarely talked about. Some items discussed included Offshore geoscience, AUV's, ROS', oil & gas, Roy Frank, the crazy challenges of this type of surveying and the fact that offshore surveying is a Geoholics wet dream! Ladon shares details about some career defining projects that he has worked on as well as how offshore surveying may would be a great career path for anyone looking for a new challenge and to do something completely different. PJ geeks out...BS freaks out and DD nearly broke his ankle. Jacques Cousteau was quoted. Music for this episode by Turnpike Troubadours!

Well, this was fun! The boys were joined this week by Rich Antonio, VP of Business Development at Alta Southwest, Dorina Bustamante, Director of Business Development at Ritoch-Powell and Associates, and Bill Swope, Geospatial & Survey Business Development Manager at Halff Associates, Inc. It goes without saying that this week's topic is Business Development! We had a great conversation with these three BD professionals touching on business development vs marketing vs sales, how to craft a business development plan, various business development strategies/tactics and the importance of community involvement. Music for this episode by Bob Schneider!

Whether you say Shlosser or Slossher...this father and son survey team is one of a kind! We were joined this week by Dave & Nik Schlosser from Northstar Surveying, Inc. in Corvallis, Oregon. We kicked the show off with a toast of Benchmark whiskey which was recommended by the surveying Schlosser's and the rest is history. From what I remember, we talked about their military service (thank you!), pros & cons of having a family business, ways to transition ownership, risk of not having an exit plan, the importance of making time to educate and challenge your employees, overcoming the obstacle of finding & retaining survey staff, education vs experience and the importance of family! You're going to want to be adopted by the Schlosser's after this one! William Shatner is quoted. PJ is smart. BS tries to be and DD gets groped. Music for this episode by Pixies! 

Next stop...the Netherlands! The boys were joined this week by Mr. Raymond "Ray" Woering the CEO at APGLOS (Advanced Positioning GLObal Software). Ray and his team of survey wizards are making a significant impact on the mapping world. They have developed the "easiest land survey app" aptly named...you got it...Survey Wizard! This is an absolute gamechanger for their 1000's of users from around the globe. Point being, listen to this episode so you're not the last to know about it. We discussed what makes Survey Wizard different from any other survey app currently on the market, its applications including mapping, stake out, drafting and calculating, and how their clients are simplifying their lives by using it. In addition, the APGLOS team works out of a castle that dates back to 700 AD...sounds like a great place to record an upcoming Geoholics episode! A little-known fact...one-third of the Netherlands is under sea level! PJ is going green with his only means of transportation being via bike or sailboat. BS went to the zoo! DD is on the wagon...kinda...sort of! Music for this episode by The King!

Do not miss the first part of a multi-show series focusing on The Business of Land Surveying! "It has been my experience that surveyors as a group exhibit poor business practices. There are certainly exceptions, but my opinion is that poor business management has been the only reason that land surveying has not risen to the level of other professions in eyes of the public. There is no reason, after all, why surveyors should be considered with less regard than engineers, lawyers, or dentists, except for one thing – money. Engineers, lawyers, and dentists are all regarded, in general, as being better off financially than we are, and are therefore placed higher in the social stratum of society. If surveyors were perceived as being as well off, they would, over time, be held with similar esteem. We have only ourselves to blame for this fate, and good, common sense business decisions can help us elevate ourselves." - Daniel E. Beardslee. Music for this episode by AC/DC!!!

We are not worthy! Welcome to the start of the next Geoholics century! The boys were honored to be joined this week by Narelle Underwood the Surveyor General of New South Wales (NSW) and Peta Cox the National Training & Development Manager at Consulting Surveyors National and host of the Defining Boundaries Podcast. These two ladies are beyond impressive. Some of the items discussed include the state of land surveying in Australia, the responsibilities of the NSW Surveyor General, the Surveyor General Inn...yes, it's a real place, the most effective ways to promote this great profession, common global challenges, and the fact that Australia has three times more sheep than people! PJ is a jetsetter; 14 Traits of a Truly Good Person were shared, and DD saw Hamilton! Music for this episode by INXS!

Wait until you hear about this! As our good friend Roger Daltrey said..."I don't want to cause no fuss, but now I've got my "Geo" Bus". We could not have asked for a better guest for the last show of the first Geoholics century! The boys were joined this week by Dr. Timothy "Tim" Hawthorne, Associate Professor of GIS at UCF, GeoBus Founder, Explorer, Leader, Innovator & Optimist! Ironically, Dr. Tim's passion is "driving science’s next generation". Why is this ironic you ask?. He along with UCF support and that of several public partners and Lynx, a local bus company, have built the nation’s first GeoBus™! On GeoBus™ science’s next generation steps into a memorable, immersive learning lab with cool STEAM technology tools. They provide hands-on science and technology learning in maps, apps, and drones. As Dr. Tim says science is about "We vs. Me". PJ goes off the grid...again...Huddy has allergies and DD is happy to be alive. Warren Buffet's 5/25 Rule was discussed. Music for this episode by Garth Brooks!

Check this out! The Geoholics got a last-minute invitation to join our new best friends Bruno Krenski (Brazil) & Lennart Preuss (Germany) at INTERGEO 2021! These guys are crazy! Bruno is a land surveyor and entrepreneur being the Owner of Top Terra & Measuring Masters. Lennart is a BMX pro, Kaufmann für Marketingkommunikation bei Hinte Marketing & Media and an all-around great guy. We had a blast talking about all things land surveying and so much more. Heck, we made such a good impression that they invited The Geoholics to make a personal appearance at next year's event! We will make this a stop on the 2022 Geohoics World Tour. Please submit your resume and application for Tour Manager to info@thegeoholics.com...we're hiring! 

Talk about bringing the passion...holy cow this girl did it! We were joined this week by a fellow "Chicagoan" Juliana McMillan-Wilhoit and yes DD struggled with that mouthful! Juliana is the Principal Consultant at Tabulae Spatial Services. She likes to refer to herself as a “cartographer of change for both people and organizations.” Juliana is committed to bridging the gap and breaking down any barriers that exist between the various professions that make up the geospatial community. Some of the topics covered include discussing her unique career path, the challenge of "pivoting", the overwhelming demand for geospatial experts, leveraging geospatial technology and expertise to help mission driven organizations and why a portfolio is important. She is also passionate about career coaching and hosting networking events for the geospatial community including a virtual Mappy Hour. You'll have to listen to receive the secret invite to this awesome weekly event. BS hosts a super soft birthday party for Huddy, DD attempts to make up for his horrible lock of the week and Zig Ziglar was quoted. Music for this episode by none other than The Blues Brothers!