Category
Human Resources
A 5-point ‘TREAT’
This article is part of an ongoing series. The introduction appeared in Machinery & Equipment MRO’s February 2005 issue and the series has run in every issue since. Previous instalments are archived online at www.mromagazine.com. This…
Moving from Reactive to Proactive
This article is part of an ongoing series. The introduction appeared in Machinery & Equipment MRO’s February 2005 issue and the series has run in every issue since. Previous instalments are archived online at www.mromagazine.com. This…
Can you be great?
How many 10-year-olds at school, when asked “What would you like to be when you grow up?” would reply “A maintenance manager.” A safe bet is that the answer is none.
Finding unexpected efficiencies
This article is part of an ongoing series. The introduction appeared in Machinery & Equipment MRO’s February 2005 issue and the series has run in every issue since. Previous instalments are archived online at www.mromagazine.com. This…
Words of wisdom that just ain’t so
You’ve heard that the early bird gets the first worm and that a penny saved is a penny earned … and a lot more folk wisdom besides. Yes, those old truths are worth pondering, but before you take them as literal guides to your daily work…
Study examines apprenticeship jobs during downturn
Ottawa, ON – Declines in employment between October 2008 and October 2009 were larger in occupations for which an apprenticeship program exists than in all other occupations combined, according to a new study from Statistics Canada. However,…
Taking the ‘OUCH out of OEE
In a fantasy manufacturing plant, the equipment would be available and chugging away all of the time, performance would always equal the equipment’s design capacity and the product quality would never…
The Skills Shortage: An Alternative Approach
I recently presented a paper at a shutdown/turnaround/ outage (STO) conference where there was a recurring comment among most of the presenters. One of the major problems that companies involved in ma…
The Next Level
This article is part of an ongoing series. The introduction appeared in Machinery & Equipment MRO’s February 2005 issue and the series has run in every issue since. Previous instalments are archiv…
RAISING EXCITEMENT ABOUT PROJECTS
One of these days you’ll be preparing to introduce an ambitious new goal or project, a new work routine, or a change in operations. And you’ll want to get your people excited and energized about the c…
Estimating Project Costs
The first job in estimating the cost of a maintenance or engineering project is to identify the scope of the project. The second step is to identify all the resources (materials, human, etc.) needed t…
Women gain ground in apprenticeship training
Ottawa, ON — Registrations for apprenticeship training programs increased in all major trade groups in 2005, Statistics Canada reported in November 2007. In addition, women are gaining ground in appr…
Shaking Out the Bad Pennies
“Now stop writing and I’ll tell you something,” announces Michel Beaudin, director of maintenance at the McAuslan Brewery in Montreal.
Become an At-work Superhero
Your mission: Solve some intractable problem. Put your maintenance team on the map. Launch a great way to reduce downtime. And pull these great accomplishments off just like an old-fashioned superhero…
Like a Disaster Movie
This article is part of an ongoing series. The introduction appeared in Machinery & Equipment MRO’s February 2005 issue and the series has run in every issue since. Previous instalments are archiv…
Making progress with PM – and people
This article is part of an ongoing series. The introduction appeared in Machinery & Equipment MRO’s February 2005 issue and the series has run in every issue since. Previous instalments are archiv…
Three Faces of Accounting
This column should help you to clarify some of the issues involved in communicating with finance and accounting departments. Just as maintenance and engineering have different disciplines or areas of …
Words of Wisdom?
You’ve heard that the early bird gets the first worm and that a penny saved is a penny earned … and a lot more folk wisdom besides. Yes, those old truths are worth pondering, but before you take the…
The Significance of Communication
If you are working in maintenance but not involved in ‘pulling wrenches’, then communication is a significant part of doing your job effectively. And even if you are pulling wrenches, communication st…
Starting to See Results
This article is part of an ongoing series. The introduction appeared in Machinery & Equipment MRO’s February 2005 issue and the series has run in every issue since. Previous instalments are archiv…
Settle Those Squabbles
It’s the one thing you dread: two employees bickering with each other over duties, resources, space or perceived slights. Part of you wants to act the role of the ever-responsible manager, ready and w…
Nine ways to build employee confidence
However skilled and ambitious your employees may be, their greatest value often lies in their self-confidence. Confident, independent people possess courage and eagerness — and they’re strong self-st…
Big Changes Begin
This article is part of an ongoing series. The introduction appeared in Machinery & Equipment MRO’s February 2005 issue and the series has run in every issue since. Previous instalments are archiv…
Assertiveness Without Anger
The scene is all too familiar. You’re facing conflict, and you believe you’re being put in an inappropriate or unfair situation. Your natural inclination? Get angry. Act defensively. Shout. Curse.
Maintenance on the Move
This article is part of an ongoing series. The introduction appeared in Machinery & Equipment MRO’s Feb. 2005 issue and the series has run in every issue since. Previous instalments are archived o…
Troubled by Procrastination?
Procrastination is very low on just about everyone’s ranking of business qualities. Yet, once in a while, procrastination may be the best course of action — and may even lead to a better outcome than…
How Root Cause Analysis aids in shutdowns
This article is part of an ongoing series. It first appeared in Machinery & Equipment MRO’s Feb. 2005 issue and has run in every issue since. Previous installments are archived online at <a hre…
Trouble all around? Simplify!
“I remember when ….”…
Explaining and Engaging
This article is the seventh in an ongoing series. It first appeared in MRO’s Feb. 2005 issue and has run in every issue since. Previous installments are archived at <a href="http://www.mromagazine….
How Lean helps safety
Lean manufacturing is a business initiative to reduce waste in manufactured products. The basic idea is to reduce cost systematically, throughout the product and production process, by means of a seri…
