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how do you get them back out on the road, so to speak? MS: This is a good question. Our theme for this year is “Collaboration.” We believe working together more ef- fectively with better communication is essential. Sharing and mentoring of staff are two pieces of the puzzle. Through mentoring and training we hope to develop a deeper bench for the firm. As for crashing, our aim is to pre- vent that from happening. Part of the firm’s culture has always been “family first.” As long as the clients are pleased and the revenues and profits are good, we don’t watch the clock of our staff. Many key people work from home when necessary. TZL: In the next couple of years, what A/E segments will heat up, and which ones will cool down? MS: In our geographic regions and our market sectors, we expect mixed-use, energy, and the research and design for autonomous vehicles to remain strong. Additionally, infrastructure will remain an ongoing concern. TZL: With overhead rates declining over the last five years and utiliza- tion rates slowly climbing back up to pre-recession levels, how do you deal with time management policies for your project teams? Is it different for different client? MS: G2’s philosophy will remain the same for all staff and clients – exceed the clients’ expectations and “fami- ly first.” It’s definitely a balancing act, but one we remain successful at imple- menting. TZL: Measuring the effectiveness of marketing is difficult to do us- ing hard metrics for ROI. How do you evaluate the success/failure of your firm’s marketing efforts when opportunities provided by the relationships and offering great solutions to their problems has been most effective.” “Relationships between our people and our clients are key. Finding the

requires planning over a period ex- tending up to a decade. Start early and engage the firm’s future leaders. TZL: Monthly happy hours and dog friendly offices. What do today’s CEOs need to know about today’s workforce? MS: Millennials are hard workers and desire to learn and collaborate. G2 has initiated a recognition program that allows all employees to reward staff that act and contribute in sync with the firm’s core values. Rewards are as simple as coffee with the boss to dona- tions to our favorite charities. “We believe working together more effectively with better communication is essential. Sharing and mentoring of staff are two pieces of the puzzle.” TZL: Zweig Group research shows there has been a shift in business development strategies. More and more, technical staff, not marketing staff, are responsible for BD. What’s the BD formula in your firm? MS: Each year our project managers develop a business plan with approxi- mately three specific goals. Many goals are geared toward business develop- ment and client maintenance. They work closely with our marketing staff to affirm those goals and make sure they have the appropriate tools to suc- ceed. TZL: Diversifying the portfolio is never a bad thing. What are the most recent steps you’ve taken to broaden your revenue streams? MS: G2 has initiated new areas of ex- pertise that we believe provides us with opportunities to generate addi- tional revenue with existing clients and also give us entry to new market sectors. One example is using drone technology in a variety of applica- tions. From initial site investigations to maintenance inspections, the po- tential is endless. TZL: The list of responsibilities for project managers is seemingly end- less. How do you keep your PMs from burning out? And if they crash,

YEAR FOUNDED: 1994 HEADQUARTERS: Troy, MI OFFICES: 3 offices in 2 states NO. OF EMPLOYEES: 75

IN THE BEGINNING: G2 was founded by three people: Noel Hargrave-Thomas, Mark Smolinski, and Bruce Wilberding. The business was literally launched below ground in Noel’s basement, so it’s somewhat fitting that the company specializes in everything below the ground. The goal of the partners was to deliver responsive, specialized geotechnical, geo- environmental and construction engineering services that help clients build better, build smarter, and build profits. THEIR OBSESSIONS: Geotechnical, geo-environmental, and construction engineering expertise that provide clients with an edge at every stage of project development: pursuit, planning, design, and construction. THEIR IMPACT: G2 engineers are registered in more than 30 states. They have assisted clients throughout the U.S. and Canada in areas of infrastructure, K-12, water/ wastewater, telecom, and development. GREEN WORKFLOW: Historically, field technicians have driven to a site and captured readings and measurements in written logs, which are then driven back to an administrator’s desk to be typed, and printed, then edited, retyped and reprinted, stuffed in an envelope, driven to a post office, and then driven to a client. G2 has found a better way. Using technology, information goes from the site to the office to the client without the need for using a single sheet of paper or driver. In fact, in some cases, once instrumentation is set up, G2 field technicians can get the information they need sitting at their desk.

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ay 14, 2018, ISSUE 1248

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