When it comes to building a business, are you “Gung Ho?”

By John Taylor


Here are two great phases that have an important meaning to me. The first is Gung Ho. Now that is Chinese and it means working together. It’s also a mantra of the Drill Instructors at Parris Island South Carolina. Legend has it that the US Marines borrowed this word from the peasants who worked in the Chinese Cooperatives during the 1930’s. Major Evans Carlson of Carlson’s Raiders fame was trying to build up the same sort of working spirit that he had seen in China where all the soldiers dedicated themselves to one idea and worked together to put that idea over. He told his men about it again and again. He told them of the motto of the Chinese Cooperatives, Gung Ho. It means Work Together-Work in Harmony. As a former Marine I have always felt this motto should be incorporated within every company no matter their products or services. If it works for the Corps it should work for just about any other endeavor. So to all the Marines out their past, present and future I wish you a Happy 237^th Birthday on November 10^th 2012.

Now to the second word which is companion. It comes from two Latin words com and panis meaning “with bread”. So a companion is a person with whom you have broken bread. Here at Nova Data testing we have all shared bread together. We certainly eat lunch at the same time when we are out of town on a shut down inspection. Many times due to the time constraints of leaving the site we will get sandwiches, burgers or a pizza delivered to our work area. And in the evenings when we are out of town it isn’t unusual for us to all have dinner together as well. In fact we also try to have a behind the shop cookout once or twice a month when we all are in town.

Team Nova Data

Sinoch Pum (Left), Darrell Henderson (center), Sina Tith (Right)

Kyle Stevenson (ndt chef of the year)

So what’s the link between Gung Ho and companions? Well it’s whatever your organization wants it to be. Here at Nova Data we put a lot of emphasis on our team. When a company works in harmony things get done quickly, efficiently and without the constant problem with organizational communication. Sure Nova Data has challenges to overcome. Everyday issues regarding reports, manning jobs, equipment repairs and just plain old technology glitches. By working in harmony the team overcomes the daily problems and looks toward their shared goals. Those goals become more defined when instead of just a co-worker you are dealing with your companion, someone with whom you have broken bread. We all have our family life, our social life and our working life. Each one is a journey that we take with others and the harmony we have with our fellow travelers, our companions, makes for either a pleasant trip or a tough road to travel. Everyone at Nova Data Testing works hard to make our journey less stressful, more enjoyable and totally effective for our customers and our team. We are and we will remain Gung Ho.



John Taylor is president of Nova Data Testing, a prominent non-destructive testing contractor.  Visit his site at http://ultrasonictestingndt.com/

Better use of your Gazintas and Gazoutas will save you money.

By John Taylor

First I want to thank Chip Rennie with Emerson Global for his new words but since he hasn’t registered them as a trademark I will borrow. Let’s define them. “Gazintas” means what goes in and “Gazoutas” just means what goes out. Now Chip uses these terms when he is discussing his company’s product. Emerson Controls sells devices that monitor energy use and consumption for industry. In fact 30% of the cost of production is directly tied to energy costs. Businesses know that they can’t easily control the cost of raw materials or labor costs. However by measuring what goes into making their energy and how much power comes out, they are able to control as much as 30% of their costs. That is you want your gazintas to equal your gazoutas.

So why aren’t we as energy consumers doing that?  Do you know what your monthly cost of energy really is?  While everyone is painfully aware of gasoline prices, do we control our driving in order to maximize the output of our engines? Well that goes for electricity costs as well.  How much is a kilowatt hour in the area where we live? Do we adjust the climate in our home and or is the thermostat always on max? Have you ever calculated what it costs you if you keep your exterior illumination going all night long?

Just as industry takes a realistic look at the energy consumed in plants and factories so should Americans who work there or buy their products look at the large amounts of energy that we waste as consumers. Look, business has maintenance personnel, engineers, analysts and vendors to help with this problem. And business knows it can save lots of money if it invests a little time and energy in this type of project. We own energy consuming items just like big businesses. We all have a car or a house or something that drains the money from our wallet. Why not be proactive and see if it’s not possible to save 10, 20 or even 30% of our income by reducing our energy costs. Because one fact is a certainty; the prices of fuel, gas and electricity will continue to rise.

Here are some simple steps to take. First you will need to get everyone in your family to become involved in this project. Come up with a set temperature that everyone in the household can agree on and then leave the thermostat alone. Better yet install an inexpensive automated thermostat that can adjust for day or night or when the family is not home.  Be sure to close your doors and windows when the A/C or heat is on. Those units are a big draw on your electric bill.

Watch your electric meter as a family. Let everyone see what it takes to slow down that revolving cash wheel. Provide incentives for achieving positive results, such as a pizza party or a trip to the movies.  Make sure everyone knows that every dollar saved on energy can be spent elsewhere. There are hundreds of simple things that we all know can reduce our energy consumption. Tire pressure, conservative driving, food preparation, water consumption, the list goes on and on. But consider the phase that Chip used, the gazintas need to equal the gazoutas. If you want to control what’s going out (your hard earned cash) then control what’s coming in (expensive energy). 

John Taylor is president of Nova Data Testing, whose main business is insuring that the power generation facilities we all need are safe and efficient through nondestructive testing and inspection. Visit his website at http://novadatatesting.com

Ultrasonic Testing NDT - When is it time to hang up your spurs?

By John Taylor

Since I have been trying to blog on a weekly basis the biggest problem has been coming up with the theme. While I think I have a great idea others might think it a bit dated or even nostalgic. And we all know these blogs need to be relevant, up to date and progressive. Here in lies the problem. The other day I was watching the news on NBC and along comes a promotion for Saturday Night Live. Now I used to watch the show before my bedtime was pushed back to 10:00 P.M., but I have not seen it in while. But when the commercial announced the guest host and the musical act I had not heard of either of them. So much for staying current.

But maybe blogging is just part of the challenge to stay hip, upbeat and in the social loop. This stimulated another discussion in my mind. When should an active upbeat and relevant boomer think about hanging it up? Here are my top ten reasons that it might be time to retire:

10.  They’re playing Amazing Grace and you are the only one lying down.

  9.  The nursing home has unplugged your scanner, computer and your respirator 

  8.  You need to take a week long vacation just to visit the doctor.

  7.  Your company car is a motorized wheel chair.

  6.  The only sales people who call on you represent mortuaries.

  5.  You have 2 gold watches.

  4.    Your secretary doubles as an intensive care nurse.

  3.  You are showing your great great grandchildren your office.

  2.  The new employee’s job has something to do with diapers.

      And the number one reason you need to retire.

1.      Your postponed Social Security payments exceed the entire value of the fund.

Since none of these reasons are on the horizon yet I will continue to think of more blogs and relevant topics. The most relevant I can think of is within my own Nondestructive Testing Industry. One of the most important aspects of any person’s career is to constantly study and train in their own profession. 

One of the best resources for continuing education as well as developing professional contacts is the association or society that is most identified with your industry. For the Nondestructive Testing field that is the American Society for Nondestructive Testing. This organization has a monthly magazine, continuing training and certification programs and local, national and international conferences. The organization was founded in 1941 and it has over 12,000 members worldwide.

No matter what field of endeavor an individual may be in, these organizations can help foster a real professional culture that allows its membership to stay relevant in a changing world of technology and globalization. Whether it be a blog or a training class or just a discussion with another worker the opportunity for success stays with the person who will invest the time and study in developing his or her own skill sets.

John Taylor is president of Nova Data Testing, a leading Ultrasonic Testing NDT firm.  For more information, go to http://ultrasonictestingndt.com/

Getting There First With the Most

By John Taylor

"I got there first with the most" was General Nathan Bedford Forrest's contribution to the doctrine of mobile warfare. Now Forrest was a notorious and controversial figure even for the 1860's and this blog is not about him, but about this one tactical idea that made him successful on the battlefield.

Modern business is not the bloody conflict that was the American Civil War.  It is however very competitive and strategies and tactics for success are taken from many different aspects of life. So let's take a closer look at old General Forrest's notion to be there first with the most. If you were to name just a few of the businesses that are major winners in the world of commerce all of them have this one characteristic in their business plan.

How about Henry Ford? He certainly was the first when it came to producing motorcars for the masses. What about Motown Records and Berry Gordy Jr.? Most folks can't even name all of his top groups, but he practically owned the music of the 60's. A more contemporary list would include touchstones such as Google and Face Book along with maybe the company that makes those funny shoes called Crocs.

But the real question that is of foremost importance to small business owners and customers alike is “How do I do that?”  What tactic can I use to be the first with the most? For a business owner the unique selling point is paramount to this strategy. Find out what product or service in your inventory makes you different and unique from all of the competition. Once you have that point identified work on it and hone it to a fine edge. Make sure that your customers also know what the unique selling point is for your company. Use it in all your marketing and correspondence. Drive it home to all people who are interested in your business product. Make sure they realize that you alone will be able to deliver it first and with the most reliable and progressive product that is available.

Now if you are the customer don't you also want to be the first one to have this fantastic product or service? Customers will search through volumes of information to know that they are getting the most value, the most innovation and the most reliable product available. Customers want to be the first to try and the first to buy.  If you don’t believe me, wait until the new IPad 5 hits the shelves.

Getting there first with the most is no easy no matter what product or service you are trying to provide. The competition always strives to beat you to the punch. But with solid commitment and a little bit of creativity any small business can get there first with the most.

John Taylor strives the get there first with the most when it comes to inspecting industrial sites and tanks.  His company, Nova Data Testing is a leader in Ultrasonic Testing NDT.  Visit his site for a fascinating look at this industry.  http://www.ultrasonictestingndt.com

Ultrasonic Testing NDT – Plan the Work & Work the Plan

By John Taylor

What can a backpacking trip in the wilderness and an ultrasonic boiler survey inspection possibly have in common? Well two important things, one is planning and the other is execution.

Let’s just get a little background on both of these endeavors. Backpacking into the wild is not just an afternoon walk in the woods. You take “everything” you need to survive for a week or maybe more into an environment where there are no Wal-Mart’s, Holiday Inns, cell phones or highway signs. There aren’t even many people.

Now a boiler survey requires you to take “everything” you need as well, since Home Depot doesn’t carry any of the equipment and supplies required for these inspections. And like the outdoors, you can’t just go back to the office and retrieve what you forgot since you are miles away from base.

With backpacking you need a route and a map. With a boiler inspection you need a scope of work and a sketch of the boiler. Here is a quick summary of the types of questions that need to be answered before you can begin either one of these adventures.

1.        What is our general plan, what do we want to accomplish?

2.        How much time do we have to complete the plan?

3.        How much are we going to spend?

4.        What is the environment going to be like?

5.        What equipment do we need?

6.        Who is going with us?

7.        What is the condition of our equipment?

8.        How much training do we have in using the equipment?

9.        How do we get there and back?

10.      What emergency plans are in place?

Now let’s apply those ten basic questions to a wilderness trip. We have a weeklong trip in mind in a location where we have not hiked before. This location should afford us some spectacular vistas, great fishing and a good loop route that doesn’t require any backtracking of our trail. It can fall within our budget depending on whether we can fly or drive to the location.  If flying, we can either rent a car or use public transportation.

Let’s make our environment mountain terrain between 4,500 and 6,000 feet toward the end of summer. That makes packing our equipment an easy option.  With a little research we can predict the weather conditions, the insects and the fishing conditions. Now we can load our packs with the right clothing, sleeping gear, tent and supplies. Most trips are 2 to 3 people. Anymore and you are defeating the purpose of a true wilderness experience. By yourself you tempt fate if lost or injured. Let’s decide on you and a friend. You share preparations, food choices and equal out the loads for both food and equipment.

Better make sure the stuff you stored in the attic has not dry rotted or been chewed by critters. Can you be sure that new tent or cook stove has all the kinks worked out and you don’t hesitate to use them?  And you will need a start and stop point that is accessible to the trail head. You also might want a schedule of any shuttle services that may be available. Be sure those emergency plans are in place. The park service likes to get a detailed route and an estimated return time for you. Pack a complete first aid kit and be sure to have enough rope to hang a bear bag if you are in their territory.

So what about that boiler inspection? Well you need a complete scope of work detailing the amount of inspection points. The customer will have a spreadsheet for a time line to follow on the shutdown schedule. It might be 1 or 2 days or broken down into so many 12 hour shifts. And of course the whole job was awarded on how much money the customer has to spend on the inspection.

The environment of the job location is important as well. There are many hazards at industrial facilities and each plant has its own rules and procedures to follow regarding the contractors who work on-site. There is the analysis of how many technicians will be needed for the project. Just like a backpacking trip there is that perfect blend of enough but not too many participants. Remember each person must be supplied and costs must be accounted for in the job scope.

Check all the equipment before use. Sometimes machines and supplies will sit on a shelf or get put back without being marked for repairs. Double check it all. You don’t want to go hungry the last two days in the wilderness and you don’t want to tell your customer that you can’t get the inspection completed because you ran out of a vital supply item. Of course everyone on the job knows all about the testing equipment and can use it without hesitation.

There are plenty of logistic pitfalls when planning an inspection. Trip routes, driving delays, airline hassles, motel reservations and vehicle breakdowns are just a few of the dilemmas that can occur. And what happens when one job extends over into the start time of the next inspection. It’s like getting a late start on a cold rainy morning when your sleeping bag won’t let you go.

And of course there are the emergencies. Some are the same like the occasional cut or bruise that may require a band aid or some other small fix. Others are more serious and the importance of prevention rather than reaction is paramount.

One other thing, on the job site you must also be alert for bears. While not the four-legged variety, your customer can turn into one pretty quickly if you are not following his or her directions. That maintenance supervisor or reliability engineer has a real nose for finding mistakes and incomplete inspection details. Just like in the wilderness plan the work and work the plan.

John Taylor is president of Nova Data Testing, an authority in Ultrasonic Testing NDT inspections.  Visit his website at http://ultrasonictestingndt.com/

Ten Commandments of the Road Warrior

Ultrasonic Testing NDT: Eating Healthy on the Road

(Or, why my pants still fit after all these years.)

By John Taylor

Being in the non-destructive testing business means that I spend a good deal of time on the road.  Now you would think with all the climbing in and around all manner of storage tanks and the like that this would burn off any given amount of calories that I cared to ingest on the job.  The problem is that when a job takes me out of town, this means that I could wind up falling into the great American conundrum of eating in restaurants and out of vending machines.  So to avoid adding needless padding to my frame, I have come up with a list of do’s and don’ts that I have come to refer to as the Ten Commandments of Road Warriors.

1. Thou shall avoid alcohol at all cost

2. Snack on fruits, nuts and raw vegetables instead of junk food

3. Frequent supermarkets instead of restaurants

4. Pack it in, pack it out

5. Remember the salad and keep it handy

6. Take the stairs and avoid the elevator

7. Read

8. Stay hydrated

9. Get a good night’s sleep

10. Try to schedule some relaxation time every day.

Let’s just discuss these options one at a time. First on the list is alcohol of course. It’s one of the benefits of an expense account. But alcohol is high in calories and it can be an appetite booster for many people. Mixed drinks, beer and wine are pretty empty nutritionally and can make the next morning a little more trying.

Speaking about nutrition, this brings up the next commandment: Fruits, nuts and vegetables. Have you ever seen an unhealthy gorilla? These foods are high in vitamins and minerals, easy to carry and come in a great variety of flavors, colors and textures. And preparation is just a crunch away.

This brings us to no on the restaurants and yes to the supermarkets. Particularly because you can’t buy apples and grapes at The Olive Garden (they do have salad but it comes with a deadly portion of bread sticks), you need to create your own.   Luckily, all supermarkets have prewashed, prepackaged salads that are ready to eat.  Just add the low-cal dressing.  They also have containers of precut carrot and celery sticks.

Buy a lunch box. Not a Little Mermaid or Angry Birds but a cheap $10.00 insulated fabric job. You put ice in the freezer bags you bought at the grocery store and fill the box with canned fruit, juice, a tuna sandwich or anything else you like. Use a little imagination and try different foods for a change.

Grazing is the best part. No time wasted at a fast food stop or waiting in traffic. Put your hand in your lunch box and pull out a surprise and munch it right down. You have 55 minutes that now belong to you.

Take the stairs, walk, run, strut, hop, skip, MOVE. If your hotel has an exercise room, use it. If not, try anything that keeps you from sitting around thinking about breaking commandment number 1.

Reading takes your mind off food unless you are reading a recipe book which is not recommended.  Since reading keeps your hands occupied you can’t use then to put junk food in your mouth, or break commandment number 1.

Don’t let your destination lead you to dehydration. Most of us do not drink enough water and this is especially true when we are out of town. Sometimes it is just not handy or it can be hard to keep beverages cold if you buy them by the bottle. This is another good reason to invest in that little lunch box. But a good way to remember to drink plenty of water is to stop drinking everything else. And did you know water has zero calories. Isn’t that cool?

Get plenty of sleep just like your mother said when she used to tuck you in at night. It takes some training to sleep in a room that’s totally alien from your own home. You can always bring a small item that reminds you of your own sleep chamber. A pillow, bathrobe or slippers, maybe even a teddy bear.  Anything that will add a touch of the familiar to an otherwise alien landscape is sure to reduce stress.

Finally learn to relax while you are on the road. Time will melt by if you concentrate on your assignment and focus on your goals. Give yourself permission to spend some quality time every day, even if it’s only thirty minutes spent reading a novel or magazine. With the right nutrition, hydration and rest those road trips will not lead to that other great American conundrum: the crash diet.

John Taylor is president of Nova Data Testing, a leading Ultrasonic Testing NDT firm.  For more information and helpful videos, visit his website at http://ultrasonictestingndt.com/

Lighting a Fire Under Management is Cheaper Than Putting One Out

By John Taylor

Last week I wrote about the need to take care of the little preventive maintenance items before they turn into big problems. Apparently this message did not get to the management people at Chevron. Here is a brief excerpt from the San Francisco Chronicle from Monday August 6^th.

                                              Chevron Refinery, Richmond, C.A.

Thousands of East Bay residents were ordered to stay in their homes with the windows and doors closed Monday night after a series of explosions and fires tore through Chevron's Richmond California refinery.  The explosions started about 6:15 p.m., and at least two large fires spewed thick, black smoke into the darkening sky.

The fire started at the refinery's No. 4 Crude Unit, Chevron officials said. Just before 6:30 p.m., an inspection crew discovered that there was a diesel leak in a line in the unit - and that the leak was growing.  Shortly after the crew evacuated the area, the diesel ignited, said the manager of the refinery.

All employees had been accounted for and there were no fatalities, but one refinery worker suffered burns to his wrist and was treated at the on-site clinic.   About five minutes after the explosions, sirens tore through the air, alerting residents to stay indoors to prevent breathing tainted air. Some people got in their cars and drove away from the smoke that spread throughout the neighborhoods east of the refinery.

The Chevron Richmond refinery was founded more than a century ago and is Northern California's largest, capable of processing more than 242,000 barrels of oil each day. A prolonged closure could push up gasoline prices, which are already rising nationwide because of a rally in the market for crude oil.

The refinery has suffered fires before. In January of 2007, the seal on a pump in a crude unit failed, triggering a fire that lasted almost 10 hours.

Make no mistake that this kind of incident is a preventable failure. Chevron was fortunate to have dedicated fire and emergency personnel to contain this incident. 

As inspectors we hate to say “I told you so”, but facts are facts. Leaks just don’t happen. They are caused by a variety of conditions which can and should be monitored by experienced personnel. The questions that come to mind are:

1. What types of corrosion mechanisms are present?       

2. How often are nondestructive inspections conducted?

3. What systems are in place to report findings?

5. Who reviews these results?

6. What follow up is conducted if repairs or replacement is warranted?

Chevron needs to determine the factors that were responsible for this loss of containment as well as what inspection criteria needs to be changed to prevent any future occurrence. If companies would use basic investigation tools and learn to ask the right questions these catastrophic failures can be avoided or at the very least minimized.  It doesn’t take a seasoned professional to realize that lighting a fire under management is far cheaper than putting one out.

John Taylor is president of Nova Data Testing, a leading non-destructive testing company.  For all your ultrasonic testing needs, go to, http://ultrasonictestingndt.com