It was a regular routine. In the few decades from 1960 until 2000, during my daily drives in to work, I would make it a point to spend time deciding what to tackle once I arrived.

Then, on my drives home, I would mull over what I had (or had not) accomplished on a given day. That, in turn, would lead me to think about what I needed to tweak, or pursue, or abandon once I got to the plant the next day.

I used to call this process “adding value efficiently,” and supported it with a variety of “tools.”

EXPANDING YOUR ‘TOOLBOX’
At work, whenever waiting for my next assignment, I busied myself with “tool making.”

For example, I compiled file folders with tabs such as “Bearings.” A few months later, I separated the “Bearings” file into four other files, including” “Bearings, for recips”, “Bearings, for centrifugal pumps,” and “Bearings, for dynamic compressors.” (Forgive me for not remembering how the fourth file was labeled,  but it’s now 54 years later). These days, of course, I would be creating and saving those types of files digitally and bookmarking important resources on my computer.

Collecting papers, articles, and other resources was at the core of my ongoing writing hobby. Books have been a big part of it. In fact, my 21st book, Optimized Equipment Lubrication, Oil Mist Technology and Storage Preservation, was released just a few days ago.  It contains facts that will defuse many of the traditional notions we have held on these subjects.

Defusing those notions will anger the waste-makers and offer relief to those seeking logical solutions to elusive problems. (Please email me, and I’ll  send you a copy of the “Table of Contents.”)

The “tools” mentioned above can serve multiple purposes for those in the RAM community: Yes, they improve efficiency. But, the “tools” we use can also be explained to a potential employer while seeking or interviewing for a job. They could even become part of an article, presentation, or book.

BOTTOM LINE
Using the right “tool” sets the professional apart from the amateur. And, being a professional allows one to ask for better compensation in prospering economies. Moreover, in addition to providing an element of safety in declining economies, a high level of professionalism strengthens one’s sense of self-worth.TRR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Heinz Bloch’s long professional career included assignments as Exxon Chemical’s Regional Machinery Specialist for the United States. A recognized subject-matter-expert on plant equipment and failure avoidance, he is the author of numerous books and articles, and continues to present at technical conferences around the world. Bloch holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering and is an ASME Life Fellow. These days, he’s based near Houston, TX. Email  him directly at [email protected].

Tags: reliability, maintenance, training, workforce issues, professional development