NOTE: This is an update to an original post from 2011 on our 4th birthday
As you may have noticed from the top of the logo, it is Land Surveyors United's 10th birthday and to celebrate this occasion, I've decided to write the story of how LSU was created, the ideas which gave birth to this network and where it is headed. Keep in mind that I am writing these posts straight from my mind and will most likely not go back and edit them until I have reached the end, so just enjoy these raw memories and comment if you'd like to know anything specifically. If you haven't yet read parts One and Two, you might like to read those first:
Happy Birthday Land Surveyors United! Part One
Happy Birthday Land Surveyors United! Part Two
On November 1st 2008, a glorious thing occurred. Land Surveyors United reached 100 members and things started to change.
Surveyors (both new school and old school) really should have these tools of communication . They are among the most technology driven workers in the world. And although the information that they gather day to day in the field is so vitally important to our understanding of the earth and our growth as a society, it isn't hard to imagine how difficult it must be for surveyors to stay up to date in respect to changes in technology. I hope to eventually have created a few useful avenues of exploration and sharing for the common surveyor. Communication amongst these valued workers in the field, in my opinion shouldn't be limited to the woods. When the day is over and you're back at the office uploading data from the field, what better way to get advice, share stories and get support (burning that company time), than simply logging into an environment full of like minded individuals who know what they are talking about? It takes a mere 5 minutes to set up a profile and announce who you are. In the very least, you'll have learned something, meanwhile setting yourself up for new avenues of networking within the industry.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
New Thoughts on Blogging in the Surveying Equipment Industry
Land surveying and construction, as I have come to understand is a tough niche to socialize. For many reasons, there should be plenty of you who understand exactly what I mean by this. For example, creating an online network of surveyors for purposes of socializing ideas about the industry is most definitely not something that can occur over night. For one, those out there who I ultimately would like to connect with (and encourage to interact with one another) are for the most part standing behind a total station somewhere in the middle of the forest all day. Thus, my engagement with their needs can only occur when and if someone writes me a message or leaves an inquiry on a forum of some sort. I'm not out looking to sell them a piece of equipment they can't operate, but rather I want those that I help to find themselves not only satisfied with the tools they have chosen, I hope they somehow come to feel more comfortable with their choice, knowing that our relationship will yield endless support for them in the future. I certainly will not always have all of the answers but the they can always count on Palmetto knowing where to look for solutions.
What are we doing here.... Rebranding?
Yes. Well, if Entrepreneur.com is a worthy source, let's just say that we are partially rebranding. Palmetto Equipment has been a reliable company from the start, due to the values that my dad placed upon customer service- the one real thing that this industry lacks. It seems that this industry is being so consumed by the mergers and corporate takeovers that are occurring, that it has become difficult for the surveyor himself/ herself to find a company that he/she can count on. When all the Allen Precisions and Hayes Instruments of the world become wisked up into the mega-cloud of distributors in the sky, who will there be to take care of the hard working instrument man? He's the guy standing on the side of the road cursing himself because he can't seem to work his damn data collector...remember him?
Finding Thirsty Horses
One of the biggest corporate dilemmas with online media is how to best interact and engage the customer and prospective customer. Showing the world that my dad's company indeed has a voice to be heard, has been an exciting, yet at times, frustrating situation to monitor. Others out there who conduct similar types of business, truly seem to have no earthly idea about what it is that I am doing. Why? Mostly due to the fact that there are stark differences with intentionality. Many (if not most) in my position just want to sell high dollar equipment and just be done with it. However, this industry is changing at such a rapid rate that it has become more important than ever for those who are buying this equipment to have trusted support and channels that lead to answers. Surveyors are a tight bunch of people while they are out in the woods or along side of the road- they can troubleshoot in remarkable ways when it comes to closing a loop or pulling that impossible shot with precision. This becomes possible due to shared experience, dialog and communication, but mostly because of the teamwork element.What if the same opportunity for connectivity could be found online? Just think of the possibilities that could exist if the individuals who actually gather the data that produces the buildings and landscapes in which we all live had a place to network, share experiences and help one another troubleshoot problems that exist offline Just think...
December 2009Creating Benchmarks
Land Surveyors United has officially become the destination of surveyors all over the globe and can be enjoyed in over 144 languages. It has become what it was intended to be-a place where land surveyors from any region can go to find answers to their problems in the field, affordable equipment and supplies and news from the industry. In the LSU forum, you will see surveyors hard at work and networking with other surveyors to get the job done. We are becoming a one stop site for all things surveying related and I want to congratulate you all for putting in such hard work while socializing. Remember the this sitetranslates into every language so there are no barriers as to what will be understood by other surveyors from the opposite side of the world. You all should be proud of being part of the largest most interactive social community of professional land surveyors anywhere in the world. Beef up those profiles with links to your business and experience, stuff to share and get those buddies in here to spread the wealth of knowledge that we have at our fingertips. Take a look at our member map and you'll see that we are quickly covering the globe.
Land Surveyors Find Support Options in Social Media
By early 2009, Land Surveyors United reached 200 members and things were starting to really move, as you can see from my snazzy discoball graphic displayed on the Palmetto Equipment blog post. Then by March 2009, we were at 300 members...all professional land surveyors and all starting to share the vision of a globally unified support space for land surveyors. I began setting benchmarks for myself and for the community and it wasn't long before we saw LSU members double and then some, reaching 675 members in December of 2009.
Tomorrow I will discuss the critical change on the Land Surveyors United network that occurred when I began to realize the importance that a social network can have in the real world. I'll tell you about the shift that occurred when I began mapping our members and providing ways for surveyors to find local surveying news right from their location based support group. Thank you for following this series of articles, written stream of conscience style in celebration of our 4th birthday. Happy Birthday Land Surveyors!
Thoughts