What a freaky day!
We'll start off with the good:
- I had my annual review...6 months late. But it was all good. My boss rated me higher than I did, but that always happens. He "blessed" efforts for me to invest in myself and learn more about Lean Manufacturing. I think I've done quite a few small things that have added up to some big improvements. The shop is performing quite a bit better than it had under the previous production manager. I attribute it a lot to how I try to let my production guys know how well they're doing on a daily basis, as far as meeting production goals. Before I started that, they wouldn't know how they did until well after the month was over. And they would only get an update once for a month. Now they get that update twice a day.
So for any of you managers or team leaders struggling to get your team to meet goals, I highly recommend that strategy. Just let your people know how they're doing and let them know often. To begin with, I wouldn't even suggest how they could get better. Let them know how they're doing and if they need to be doing better. More than likely, they'll make the first big steps on their own.
Now the bad:
- I had to fire my production foreman and my lead sawyer. The 2 highest 'ranks' in my shop. One was clocking in for the other. Dumbasses. The real problem is that it leaves a gaping hole in how well we know our automated saw. Between the 2 of them, they're the only guys that have been involved in repairing it. But it's just a machine. And all machines can be fixed, one way or another.
- I didn't get a raise. I know there's a wage freeze, but I still hoped.
- And I have about 20 unread posts from my wonderful reader network. I feel kinda bad writing this without having read those. I'll get to them, I promise.
Wow that was a fantastic review! I can see why.
ReplyDeleteIt's awful when you have to do something like that. I'm glad I left management behind... no offense. Things like that gave me so much stress.
What is a reader network? Yours sounds very successful. So that's 2+ vs -1. I'd say you came out on top. Cool beans!
I wouldn't worry too much about not reading. You'll get to it eventually. And if you don't, you don't...
ReplyDeleteI guess 'reader network' probably isn't the best description. I've found that most of the blogs I read are networked. Like the 'Alien network'. I call it that because that's where it started, but it includes you and some other blogs. Pretty much those that do the Photohunt. There's one or two more that aren't as well defined, but I tend to see the same people replying to each others posts.
ReplyDeleteWill anybody ever get a raise again?
ReplyDelete