Page 35 - Traverse_49_1

Stay on top of new technology

To stay competitive and maximize profit, it’s also wise to stay abreast of the latest surveying technologies and applications.

Now more than ever, it’s more important that we listen to what our clients are saying. If we listen, we’re going to get a better
understanding of their challenges, and how technology can help solve them.
“Change is just constant. And in particular, with what I do in geospatial, that change seems to be coming in at such a breakneck speed,”
says Bill. “With geospatial, I’m trying to find new ways to use the technology, to expand what we do.”

Bill finds himself constantly adapting geospatial technology to fir new sectors, or to find new ways to service existing clients.
Ultrasonic drones can now map oil and gas systems, and assist with leak detection, for example. New technologies make new
applications to surveying endless.
“When it comes to the geospatial realm, it’s just data collection. It’s just a more efficient means of doing data collection, and new and
different ways of doing data collection. But it’s because we’ve gotten this new technology that allows us to do this. We’re able to change
perceptions about what land surveying is and how it can be expanded in the future and moved into different markets. So I think it’s
really exciting and it’s fun to be at the forefront of this,” Bill says.

It’s not in every industry that you can see significant advancements happening before your eyes.
Build your brand

Not all the work of running a successful business happens within the
walls of your office or within the confines of your job site.
There is also branding to consider, and a large part of building a brand
happens through the process of community development.
“Aren’t we all community builders in what we’re doing? And isn’t civil
engineering and this early pre-development all community building?
We literally link roads and sidewalks and public spaces and private
spaces together. So yeah, this is community development,” says
Dorina.

With Ritoch-Powell and Associates, she is able to work with
nonprofits like the Urban Phoenix Project and many other advocacy
organizations.

When Dorina sees membership and sponsorship opportunities, she
doesn’t do them halfway.

“If we’re going to be a member of something or sponsor something, then we need to have a dynamic role. I need logo glory. I need my
leadership present. I need to make sure that we get the bang for the buck. And if we’re going to become a member of something, we
need to have an engaged staffer who’s attending and reporting back and creating opportunities for further engagement.”

When you get involved, you create value that goes far beyond your business. It’s a win-win all around.

There are also lots of innovative opportunities for bringing the community into what you do and onto client project sites.
“If you bought a historic building or adaptive reuse, invite the city council person and do a little ribbon cutting or a Mazal Tov or
something. Because it really helps clients feel valued and also see that the team spirit, and that everyone is there for the long haul,”
Dorina says.

Think of it as a chance to give back.

“I think sometimes in business development or sales, we feel like we take. We’re always asking, we’re taking. So it’s nice to be able to
give back sometimes,” Bill says.

“I think it helps them to build morale within the company itself as well, because you start feeling better about yourself and then it just
shows to the community at large that you’re willing to invest some of your time and effort in them as well.”
Advice from small business owners

We’ll cap off this article on the business of land surveying with a quick-fire round of solid advice from small surveying business owners.
These are some of the things they found important to starting a solo practice and keeping it running smoothly.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE u
The Nevada Traverse Vol.49, No.1, 2022 33