Surviving Middle Management

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

I stuck my neck out a little on a project....The task was to weld seams of large steel weldments with increased penetration. The process was straight downhill with MIG welding. I needed to accomplish this without slowing down the process. Downhill with a MIG is very fast but, low penetration and is not an AWS certified position. So, I scrounged an old broken Manipulator from the boneyard (no capital), mounted it to 1250lb. counterweight and riser I built. Next, I purchased a $4k earth magnet (within monthly budget), the magnet is encased inside an aluminum housing with a stainless face, it works like a chuck, turning the key engages the magnet towards the face and the reverse to disengage. I mounted the assembly over the existing in use 4400lb. Hydraulic lift table. Well it shines, it really shines, infact it sped things up! It may not seem survival related but has everything to do with my survival!

That is me with the 3 pearl snaps getting outta the way! Yes, I did start dressing like myself! Cowboy Up!

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[Rick]

I would suggest that it has more to do with survival than you give yourself credit for. Thinking out of the box can be a life saver and practicing that skill is always good. Looking good for the boss is, too.

[crashdive123]

Nice job CS.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

I would suggest that it has more to do with survival than you give yourself credit for. Thinking out of the box can be a life saver and practicing that skill is always good. Looking good for the boss is, too.

I knew I had it right when the welders raved about it to my boss. Looks like we need 3 more now (going to need some capital and I ain't building the next one) I left early today and am now enjoying the fruits of my efforts!

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Nice job CS.

Thanks Crash! I impressed myself on this one.

[hunter63]

Nice job...really helps to have a score once in a while......

In a previous life I did so well scrounging stuff.....i was sent out on clearance sales (shut down factories) with a corporate credit card....as the Pres of the company personnel shopper......not bad for a 2nd shift foreman....

That is the way to make a mark, I can appreciate the feeling!....Congrats, man!

[Rick]

Why does every new project meeting end with, "Oh, yeah, it's not in the budget," even though you get ownership of it?

[intothenew]

A middle managers prayer:

"A middle manager has no prayer."

You've got to cut, chop, and stack wood high, to keep em' happy. Good on ya'.

[JPGreco]

Good job, we did the scaffel on a scaffel, non OSHA approved setup today at work to hurry things along. Works great, just looks a little intimidating.

[hunter63]

One of my favorite maintenance guys often helping me 'invent' stuff had a sign on his tool box that read:

'We have done so much, for so many, with so little....That we are now qualified to anything.... with nothing"

[Rick]

CS - You've survived middle management now if you can figure out how to survive middle age you'll have it made.

[Sparky93]

Very cool, that magnet is BA!

[Beans]

I read this somewhere and will proably misquote it.

Unknow engineer:

The technical part is easy, It is convincing the management and the in house politics that are sometimes insurmountable

[CoryD]

Very nice CS. I had to make a jig/fixture for some of the parts we make at our work. I got in to a fight with the plant supervisor over using the old one, so I made a new one in about 14 hrs and it prolly cost about 300 bucks. everyone seems to love the new one and the president of the company even came out and looked at it. Got a ton of attaboys, just wish that would show on my check come review time

[Rick]

Cory - Keep an Atta Boy file on yourself. Note all of those items that you've made like that as well as copies of any notes, emails, etc. that said you did a great job. Take that file with you when it comes time for your annual review. If the boss has some negative or neutral items to share then pull your stuff out and remind him of all the great stuff you did. You'll be surprised how much impact it can have.

To All - If you are a supervisor of folks please don't wait until the annual review to tell your employees how good or bad they've been. Sit down with them quarterly and go over their performance in an informal setting. If they are doing a great job then tell. Everyone likes a pat on the back now and then. If they aren't doing so well then you should have been coaching them already but at the least explain what they are doing wrong and develop a plan with them to bring them up to standards. Yeah, I know, it's time consuming but that's your job. If you don't do it but once a year you've failed at your job.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

I agree with you Rick, I'll add to always challenge your people by giving them challenging assignments. Noone likes a boring job at least noone I want working for me.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Update....Had to make it safer for the Hugs and Rubs dept. Done! No expense, completely fabricated by the QA dept. and since we are indirect.......VP liked it alot today~!

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[Sparky93]

That is one hell of a sweet setup!

[natertot]

nice!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Wildthang]

Cowboy doin work!