Business & Management

Early Project Team Communications Leads to a More Successful Outcome

It is becoming increasingly difficult for process manufacturers and producers to execute large capital projects. Edward Merrow, founder and president of Independent Project Analysis (IPA) and author of Industrial Megaprojects—Concepts, Strategies, and Practices for Success, noted that:

“…large, complex projects in petroleum, minerals, chemicals and power fail much too often for comfort. Large cost overruns, major delays poor operability, and far too many safety incidents characterize well over half of the industrial projects of $1 billion or more around the world.”

Even smaller projects are having difficulties in meeting budgets and time schedules due to the growing complexity of expertise required to successfully plan and execute these projects.

The Manufacturer’s Guide to Digitizing 7 Key Business Processes

Many manual and ad hoc processes are used to manage the unstructured information that surrounds key manufacturing processes. Making things even more complex is the fact that the macro-business processes in manufacturing are actually clusters of multiple document-intensive processes, managing a wide variety of often incompatible document types throughout.

Each process typically has its own information management needs and requirements, and often rests upon a dedicated process platform (e.g., MRP/ERP Software, Product Lifecycle Management Software, Supply Chain Management Software, Manufacturing Execution Systems, and Production Scheduling and Control Systems).

Six Tips for Successful Listening: The Importance of Being Earnest

In business or in life, one of the most valuable skills to master is listening, yet, according to Nikki Bishop and Bruce Smith in a presentation at the 2016 Emerson Global Users Exchange, less than 2% of all professionals have had formal education or learning to understand and improve listening skills and technique.

While few managers or human resources professionals make good listening skills a prerequisite for employment, executive sales coach Keith Rosen points out that ability to actively listen has been proven to dramatically improve the capabilities of a professional salesperson. “Most of the time we believe listening is simply hearing the words coming out of the client’s mouth,” he said in a recent article. But listening is much more than that.

HR Workshop in Houston, Nov. 14-15: How to Build a Better Workforce

Attendees will gather in Houston to hear from several industry and human resources (HR) experts on how to overcome the challenges of recruiting and retention in the industrial and manufacturing sector. Hosted by the Valve Manufacturers Association (VMA), the 2016 Human Resources Workshop: Building a Better Workforce through Employee Engagement takes place Nov. 14-15, 2016 at the Houston Marriott West Loop – Galleria, and features a global marketing and strategy expert; a mentoring and training specialist; an employment law attorney; and the Deputy Director of the Houston Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC).

Valve Repair Takes Center Stage in Houston

Attendees gathered June 2-3 in Houston to discuss a number of topics of concern to professionals in the valve repair and service industry. They were there for the Valve Repair Meeting & Exhibits; the event was hosted by the Valve Repair Council, which advocates the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) approach to valve repair.

The topics were broad, from live loading of valves with Belleville springs to the challenges of horizontal orientation of gate valves, but attendees were enthusiastic and initial comments show that the presentations were well received. Here’s a sample: