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/