Differentiators: The Never-Ending Question

by Beth George

So this morning I'm in a strategy session with various technical folk and we're brainstorming about several upcoming pursuits.  Each is right in our wheelhouse; we know the owners, their wants and needs, identified issues, have experience doing exactly this kind of project.  Just like you do.
 
And we, just like you, must answer the question; for every project, every time: What sets us apart? Why will the client choose us? What makes us special?
 

We know what we think makes us the obvious choice.  We have 70 years of experience providing geotechnical, environmental, materials testing and inspection services on just about every type of project there is.
 
Not that this isn't great, because it is.  It's just not enough. Our competitors have decades in business, rock-star staff, impressive project experience, just like us.  We're all really good firms who can complete the project on time and on budget.  So, again, what makes us the best? What are our differentiators?
 
It's easy to look to the wholly non-technical things: relationship chief among them.  Everyone knows our industry is relationship- (and coffee) driven.  It's such a subjective thing.  And, to go even deeper, it's not just that a relationship exists, it's what kind of connection you have with the owner and prime.  Purely technical? Lunch every few months? On a first name basis with his wife and kids?
 
That said, relationship should be only an un-official tie-breaker.  Most of the time, one firm is just a better fit for a particular project.
 
How can we be 'the better fit'? Back to differentiators.  So we go over notes, do our homework, dig for something that others might miss. Just like you.  Sigh...




Beth George is the Director of Business Development for Converse Consultants. This post is a stream-of-consciousness rant born of too much coffee and thinking; and does not reflect the opinions of the company in general, it's officers, or fellow coffee-soaked employees.

Converse Consultants is an industry leader in geotechnical engineering, and environmental, groundwater and materials sciences. We are celebrating our 70th year of service. 

For more information about Converse please contact Beth George at bgeorge@converseconsultants.com

15 Best Tips For Young Engineers

Just starting out in your career? Here's some advice from Leah Stephens that can help. Let us know what you think.  Do you have any other tips to add?
 
The proverb goes hindsight is 20/20, which essentially means you can make better decisions later on when you have become more knowledgeable about the world. But wouldn’t it be nice to be able to make good decisions from the outset when you’re still young? The following tips were compiled for young engineers and interestingly, most of these suggestions revolve around lifelong learning. Experienced engineers weighed in and added their voice to help create this top 15 list of the best tips for young engineers.

1. Find A Mentor: Your career can easily get off track without the help and guidance of an experienced professional. Mentors provide support, encouragement and they can boost your self-esteem. They can help a young engineer make sound decisions when the correct path becomes full of obstacles or too many unknowns.

2. Manage People: When you establish instrumental connections with people within your organization, you become increasingly valuable to the people running it. It’s also really important to nurture the talents of others, especially other engineers within your company. There will always be younger engineers with new kinds of enthusiasm, skills and knowledge surrounding a particular field, so it’s important to nurture these relationships. An environment of free-flowing knowledge helps to create a robust organization, capable of withstanding great pressures.

3. Never Stop Asking Questions: There continues to exist a fear of sticking out like a sore thumb. Many people have stopped asking questions out of this fear. But remember, a mind that asks questions is a mind that continues to grow. Also, experienced engineers report that asking simple questions can pick out holes in engineering designs. Some of the most basic questions have revolutionized entire design projects. Keep this in mind: if something is not clear, ask a question about it.

4. Continue to learn: Young, smart engineers realize that education at a university is just the very beginning of one’s education as an engineer. Engineering careers require constant learning and re-education because of the accelerated pace of knowledge creation and distribution.

5. Keep current on other disciplines: It’s necessary to keep up with other engineering disciplines because of the increasing role of innovation in all fields. If an innovative new material is discovered in one field, there’s a good chance it might benefit another field as well. Cross-pollination is necessary in the current paradigm. Keeping on top of trends in many disciplines can give you a competitive edge.

6. Network: Make connections in the real world because people tend to hire and trust those they know. Attend professional meet-ups and lectures outside of your regular classes. Introduce yourself to the lecturers and keep in touch with them via email. Create a LinkedIn profile and connect with people there whom you meet in person. Do this as a regular practice and it will help you create and maintain professional relationships.

7. Create a professional LinkedIn profile: Your LinkedIn profile acts as your online resume. Put all of your crucial information on your profile, including your list of projects. Include any volunteer work as well. After you have listed all your information, you may be surprised to discover how many recruiters notify you. Companies use LinkedIn routinely to scout for talent and positions.

8. Build a portfolio of projects: Create a portfolio of projects you created in college and outside of college. Add them to your resume and to your professional LinkedIn page. Most employers review online portfolios when the applicant has limited work experience.

9. Develop leadership skills: Most organizations look for tangible leadership experience when hiring. Look for opportunities within college to lead a team or project. You can also create your own project outside of college and find people to help you with it. If you decide to create your own project, choose something that you are passionate about.

10. Work in teams: In college, a lot of work is done in a solitary fashion. Most organizations require people to work in teams, so practice working with others every chance you get. Learn how to get along with others using mediation techniques while working towards a common goal. Learn how to solve conflicts in a peaceful manner and this skill will carry you a long way.

11. Practice your communication skills: Employers love engineers who possess good communication skills. Engineers have to attend meetings, present lectures and resolve conflicts in groups. The upper management of any company will take notice if you show an aptitude for communication.

12. Turn your free time into productivity: Instead of relaxing during summer breaks, get an internship in your particular field of engineering. Once you acquire a new skill, update your resume. This will set you apart from the pack and show future employers that you possess passion for your field.

13. Pick your desired field early on: If you are in school, pick your favorite subject and dive deep to see if there are career opportunities within that field. Getting an internship is perhaps one of the best ways to find out if the field is right for you. Also, ask your mentor about possible career opportunities in your chosen field.

14.Gain positive experiences over a big paycheck: It’s going to be tempting to choose the opportunity that is the most lucrative. However, it’s more important to choose a place you’d like to work over a big paycheck. Doing work that allows your experience to grow will lead to more choices in the future. And, yes, you’ll have even more lucrative choices, too, after you’ve developed your positive experiences at companies you value.

15. Be business-oriented: As your company prospers, so will you. You may feel removed from considering how your own salary affects the business, but do it anyway. Once you see the costs of running a business from the perspective of your company, you’ll know how to deliver real value to your organization. Work within the timeframes that are expected of you and look for ways to solve problems that no one else considers.
 
If you decide to use some of these tips, you will definitely gain a competitive edge.
Leah Stephens is a writer, artist, YouTuber and experimenter. Follow her on Twitter.

Converse Consultants is an industry leader in geotechnical engineering, and environmental, groundwater and materials sciences. We are celebrating our 70th year of service. 

 

For more information about Converse please contact Beth George at bgeorge@converseconsultants.com

Career Survival: Put Stress In it's Place

The project you are working on is overdue and the boss is starting to ask questions. You are having trouble catching on to the latest computer program you are supposed to be learning. Your child's school just called for a parent-teacher interview and it sounds like there's trouble. You are worried about how you will pay next month's rent. Your head aches, your stomach hurts, and your hand is shaking so hard it's difficult to hold a cup of coffee. Have you ever felt overwhelmed like this?

When you are overloaded with stress, it's hard to focus on working safely. Your inattention may cause you to trip over an unseen obstacle, cut your finger in a paper cutter, or wander into the wrong lane while driving. Whether the stress is job-related or caused by off-the-job responsibilities, the result can be the same - accidents.

 

Look for these signs of stress overload:

• 
  An inability to concentrate on your task, daydreaming, brooding or excessive worrying can all be a sign of too much stress. Forgetfulness and a feeling of worthlessness can also indicate that you should make some changes in your life. 
• Emotional tension is an indicator of stress. For example, feeling anxious and unhappy, having trouble sleeping and being easily startled. Other indications that you are under too much pressure may include feeling overwhelmed by your daily tasks and being unable to separate small difficulties from larger problems. 
• Physical symptoms may include headaches, pounding heart, indigestion, high blood pressure, cold and clammy hands, and trembling. It all adds up to extra wear and tear on your body. 

 

At some point in our lives everyone will experience stress, but it isn't always caused by unhappy events. Weddings, a new baby, a different job or a new home can all contribute to the tension that you experience. By looking after your health and learning to manage your time more effectively, you can reduce the harmful side-effects of stress. Try the following suggestions to reduce your stress and increase your safety:

 

• Practice good health habits. Get enough rest at night and exercise for at least a half-hour several times a week. Eat regular nutritious meals which are high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables and low in fat, sugar and salt. 
• Avoid drugs, alcohol, caffeine and nicotine which might give temporary relief but eventually only add to your stress load. Instead, learn some relaxation techniques from sources such as books and tapes, recreation centers, self-help programs and therapists. Try to find at least 15 minutes a day to spend on your favorite hobby. 
• Make a few small changes at a time to help you cope. If you are worried about money, organize a goal for saving a small amount each month or set up a family budget. Learn to say "no" to extra social commitments which would increase your stress level. But remember to fit in some activities which you do enjoy. 
• Learn to think positively about life and other people. By looking for the good in every situation, you can teach yourself to cope with the ups and downs of life. 
• Keep your sense of humor. Some of the most stressful experiences can be quite funny when you look back at them. 

 Everyone experiences stress. Learn to manage it so that you can maintain your health and peace of mind - and work effectively and safely. And recognize when you truly can’t cope. If you feel overwhelmed and it’s just too much to handle, see your doctor.

 

 

© 2016 Bongarde

 

 

Converse Consultants is an industry leader in geotechnical engineering, and environmental, groundwater and materials sciences. We are celebrating our 70th year of service. 

 

For more information about Converse please contact Beth George at bgeorge@converseconsultants.com

Stop Parenting Your Staff

by Beth George

It's a joke in my office.  At least, I hope it's a joke.  I am the office 'mom'. All too often I find myself (or am made aware of) saying 'you need to...', or 'this is what you should...', or any number of 'mom-isms'.   I raised 4 kids and have 4 grandkids. It's ingrained in my soul to be the mom.

While my office-mates know my intentions are the best and I care deeply about them, it's still annoying.  I know this.  And I consciously try to curb the parenting.  With an even slightly different group of people, my intended upside has the potential for a serious downside.  Someone could easily read my 'caring' as:

• A lack of confidence in the decisions other make - as though I don't trust them to do the right thing unless I tell them what that is.
• A lack of respect for the maturity of others - apparently they are not grown-up enough to make their own decisions.
• A commentary on their intelligence - as if they aren't smart enough to know what to do.

None of these things are true about my office-mates, or my staff in other offices. I am blessed to work with, and for, amazing people.  We are family-close.  I'd hate for anyone to take me wrong, so I need to work harder to stop my mothering. 


 


Additionally, the more I tell others what to do, the less they will listen to me when I actually have an important point to make (kind of like kids). 


Do you parent your staff?  What type of reactions do you get?  How did you stop? I'd love to hear your stories!

Beth George is the Director of Business Development for Converse Consultants and has been annoying her co-workers for 19 years.

Converse Consultants is an industry leader in geotechnical engineering, and environmental, groundwater and materials sciences. We are celebrating our 70th year of service.

For more information about Converse please contact Beth George at bgeorge@converseconsultants.com