Find something people need, don't be too proud, get good at it and fast. It will make you a very good living.
I constantly strive to improve job performance, there is a lot of work I can do in 50% of the time now, I ate dirt the first two or three.
This is important in this economy, folks need good work at a fair price.
Doyle
Salt of the Earth - Blessings - - but customers and accounts have a way of turning your good intentions into unpleasant efforts. - I also hate to work by the hour - but do folks really appreciate speedy craftsmanship or are they really looking at the bottom line ? Evolution applies to upholstery - I'm sure !
SA
My point is merely, if a job pays X-amount then, shop enriches the pot more by doing more. The speed factor should be paramont importance for the shop.
The argument is not about marketing and what customers expect. Of course they are price sensitive and time concerned, but my concern is getting more completions and that can be enhanced by experience and learning more about how to do the work well in less time.
UPS delivery is a good example, they study everything to save time. It makes a big difference how many deliveries are accomplished in a work period. I talked with a manager there and they learned that if the truck can be routed to make most right turns, it saves tons of time avoiding waiting to make a left turn. They are very time sensitive oriented and I am sure their customers are glad to get their deliveries quicker also. Price is the same, but bottom line is enhanced for the company, isn't profits what it is all about?
Doyle
When I sold packaging materials I sold a lot to the auto industry. The big manufacturers knew that their parts suppliers were working hard to gain efficiencies in their manufacturing. If you had a contract to make a part for a number of years, the big boys wanted the price to go down each year to reflect the fact that you should be able to make that part cheaper each year and they wanted a piece of your efficiencies.
QuoteEvolution applies to upholstery - I'm sure !
Yes, there have been a few times when I'm struggling with something and I truly feel like a Neanderthal. All I want to do is take my club, leave my cave to find a baby Volopciraptor, beat it to death, then turn to it's mom and scream "Bring it on, b@#$%.
"Effective" means you do what needs to be done to complete the job. "Efficient" means you ONLY do those things that you need to do to finish the job. I love this quote.
The problem comes in when you try to sell quality and service to people who only want price.
Good thread, Doyle.
gene
I'm all for greater efficiency. Anything that reduces my costs puts more money in my pocket.
But I have no intention of passing those savings on to my customers.
If I can do a job quicker while still charging the same amount......that's like giving myself a raise. And EVERYONE deserves a raise every now and then.
I don't think that we as small shops, should concern our self as much with trying to compete with high speed production techniques employed by factories. When people come to us, they should expect to pay more for custom work rather than a cheaper assembly line price.
Like Gene mentioned, I have a couple of companies that expect me to lower my prices periodically as I gain efficiency. I think they only throw that expectation out there to dissuade me from even considering a price INCREASE.
When I do raise my prices to them, they react as if it will take an "Act of Congress" to get approval for the price increase. But I'll bet if I were to LOWER my prices, they could process that paperwork in a nanosecond.
You guys and gals should read up on lean practices. It is extremely interesting set of processes.
I once read, and I have no idea where maybe even here.
There are three choices. Good, cheap, fast choose any two. Not a bad way of looking at it.
I would love to read "lean practices", can anyone direct me to the article?
Thanks in Advance,
Doyle
Its not an article doyle,
You can probably find books on it online or at the library. Not something to read quickly. It is a different way of thinking. Mostly common sense but very enlightening and very useful in any business, and personal situation. Its more of a study than a quick read.
I had a couple clients who called me in to review their manufacturing processes. I had no idea what the processes were nor how their products were made. One client flew me to England to asses their small factory and manufacturing processes. Still not having a clue I found a few changes they could make to boost margins and speed up their production. Was I a genius ? Was it because I knew so much about their manufacturing processes ? Nope. It was because I was an outsider who had a decent mechanical / assembly mind and seen things they didn't. You know the old saying " cannot see the forest from the trees ".
The same thing happened to me. I had my wife grab a cup of coffee and sit down in a chair and watch me complete a full order. Afterward we talked and she found a couple changes that made a big difference in our margins because it sped up the manufacturing process. I adopted those changes and while they slowed me down at the start, once they became habit they sped things up.
I operate off of three principals and because I am so dang OCD and driven ( must be the Marine Corps in me ) I have little problem obtaining my goals. I readily admit it takes its toll on me and I get burnt out badly several times a year but success is never easy. These are the three principals I concentrate my efforts on and let drive my business. Listed in order:
1.) Quality - Every single product that leaves my shop is of the highest quality possible.
2.) Margins - Every single process is developed and maintained to increase efficiency and speed. I will not adopt anything if it effects quality or cheapens the product.
3.) Customer Service - I go to great lengths to ensure that every single customer is pleased. If I have to eat $ 500 worth of product a year to make a customer happy I do. ( Customer referrals are the cheapest form of marketing there is ).
There are a few things missing from this list but in all actuality if you follow these principals then everything else falls into place.
In order to obtain a healthier margin and to speed up production you sometimes need to change the way your doing things. Maybe consider having a close friend who is not in this trade review how you do things. Maybe there are certain things your doing that are slowing you down but you do not see them. " I have always done things this way " is typically a trap one can fall into. Explore and see if there are some time saving processes that can help you and then be willing to make changes. Remember the old saying " time is money ".
Chris
I've mentioned a few times the book The E Myth Revisited, by Michael Gerber. This book has been extremely helpful for me in understanding the nature of a small business owner.
Gerber says a small business person wears 3 hats:
1. The technician. This is Chris's "Quality", (from his previous thread). Doing the actual work.
2. The manager. This is Chris's "Margins". This person runs the business side of the business.
3. The visionary. This is Chris's "Customer Service". This person decides what kind of company you want to have and how to get there.
Small business owners are usually great at being the technician. However, it is the manager that makes the money, and the visionary that finds ways to keep the money coming in and where the company will be in the future.
I appreciate some of the threads that Doyle starts because he often addresses the manager and visionary side of the business.
If there was a way for you old timers to get paid for sharing your experiences on this forum I think you would be able to close your shops and live of the proceeds.
I spend my days working in my studio becoming a better technician.
I have spent a lot of weekends and evenings reading about how to be a better manager and visionary.
gene
Wow what are you folks drinking for breakfast ? I read words like visionary, technician, margins, practices, etc. I'm lucky to be able to sit up and take nourishment ! Aren't you at the point in your lives where your work is easy because of experience, and nothing is pushing you to kill yourselves any more. I've always enjoyed making my own schedule, enjoying the ride, and learned that the public is OK with what I do without me being a public relations ace. You folks must all be in your late 20's ' :>) and driving yourselves crazy.
SA
I was slow at first then learned to be fast at a affordable price made me the guy to go to .
then I got tired and moved now im slower now getting ols sucks gettinto address steve queston on people wanting fast ect . ive had this repeat customer a X CEO of a MAJOR co. he donated a 60' yacht after hurricane charley after his canvas blew apart and I was sent by a dealer to figure the job he donated to charity so he could buy a new boat. ive done work for him on a few boats after thwat and got a call a week ago he bought a new carver and wanted me to install some roll up straps to hold his windows up when rolled up so he could enjoy his boat trip he was okanning in a few days so ok I go over after work I see that he does have them he just didn't see them as they were snaped away in place. so I gueese feeling dumb he asked if I coukd aqdd a couple smiley zippers in some windows. ok I saud then the next day ok so he calls to say he trip is canceled due to mechanical trouble . but he was going away anyway with no and a dash cover boat for a month , now I was right in the middle of trying to finnish a good job when I was going to help him on the easy straps so I say why don't I wait till your gone and ill have them don't before you get home. he said ok but called the next day to say he found somebody to do the zips asap and bought 2 car dash cover to try
Quote from: SteveA on August 04, 2013, 03:24:44 pm
Aren't you at the point in your lives where your work is easy because of experience, and nothing is pushing you to kill yourselves any more.
That is exactly the point that I'm at. I'm making almost as much money as I ever have before, while working fewer hours (a LOT fewer) than I did 10 years ago. All the mortgages are gone. The kids are grown and gone. "Nothing is pushing me to kill myself anymore".
Quote from: SteveA on August 04, 2013, 03:24:44 pm
I've always enjoyed making my own schedule, enjoying the ride, and learned that the public is OK with what I do without me being a public relations ace.
YUP! Especially the "PR ace" part.
So while I do find all this talk about margins, lean practices, visionary, etc. to be interesting, I also find it to be a little irrelevant when you're talking about a one-man shop in a declining trade.
I'm kinda glad I didn't hear all this stuff when I
was in my late 20's. I might've done things differently, and missed out on watching my kids grow up (I didn't miss a minute!).
You may be right!
Here ya go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFDm11vOb9Y
Have a nice day.
gene
that was great gene!
sofa I agree ive been mortgage free for 12 years its a great feeling
Some good examples of efficiency.
Cutting tables set-up in the center of the room. Accessible by all workers for multiple tasks.
Sewing machines set up in an orderly fashion. Workers need quick access to machines and sewing supplies.
Tools and supplies set up efficiently. Minimal amount of movement to finish a project.
Efficient schedule. Each employee knows their next project, fabric and changes needed to complete the project.
Workshop flow. Even in a small shop the way a project flows through can save crucial time. From the stripper to the upholsterer to the cushion sewer to the QC inspector and out he door for delivery.
Some shops see efficiency as a way to make more profits and others see it as a way to compete. Some may say these examples are more suited for a factory rather than a custom shop. But over the last several years I've seen plenty of shops fold up and a little edge could be all it takes to stay in business.
Those are good examples of efficiency, some physical planning and mental as well. Strong points.
As a note, for a particular requirement, that took 7 hours on the first job, after a few more jobs I have reduced that time requirement down to just a couple minutes less than three. It pays $175, and I potentially see improvement to reduce another 15 minutes. This is a commercial account and the work is there, so I want to eventually get three of them done in a day, even if it took 8.5 hours. I will get there.....if the old body holds out. LOL.
Tools are the primary direction I am going in at this time. A minute here and one there sure takes the physical wear off, meaning I feel less exhausted doing more now working with greater efficiency, and the pay, I explained.
I am even looking at clean up time, I would like to get that down, even 5 or 10 minutes would help. It is all time, time is money.
Doyle
I have to say that the absolute best method for becoming efficient and putting more money into the bottom line is doing multiples of the same thing. Every time I have that situation, my mind/hand relationship goes into high gear and time documentations prove that the last unit was produced in a lot less time than the first. Only problem in my business is that most of my work is one different piece at a time.:(
Rich
I'm currently reading a book "Working at Woodworking" by Jim Tolpin.
After nearly failing at business, he took a look around, re-oriented everything and turned it all around. While it's for a related business (custom kitchen cabinets), it is not too far of a stretch to transpose "pneumatic nailer" to "pneumatic stapler" and "table saw" to "sewing machine."
The first section is on "The Shop" -- location, layout, tools, storage
Second section is on "Processes" -- streamlining work into modules called "block procedures" and how they work
Third section is on "Business" -- structure, market analysis, pricing, and marketing
Keith where does one get a copy of the book. It certainly is related to my interest.
Covers some very pertnant dimensions, or the main ones;
Shop requirements
Work flow
Marketing
All draw a strong interest. Plus, written by someone who has done that!
Doyle
I got it from the library. We have a great library system here. One of, if not the highest per-capita circulations in the country. I do my share. It was written in 1990, so some of the tools are dated, but the principles are there.
Used copies at $3, http://www.amazon.com/Working-Woodworking-Organize-Your-Business/dp/0942391675
Very interested in obtaining Tolpin's paper back. Will start with our library and go from there.
Thanks,
PS. I read some of the reviews by readers of the book as well as others he has written. All gave him positive reviews and like this as one of his best.
Thanks again,
Doyle
Garment work. Doesn't get more efficient than that.
If you have a particular operation that you perform over and over again... get a stop watch. That's what they do in garment factories. It's how they determine the "rate" at which each individual operation in construction is compensated. It's all about "time and motion". My shop is set up with that in mind. The fact that I'm a machine junkie has facilitated dedicated "work stations" but I know that's not possible for all shops.
I came up in the clothing alteration/repair ranks. Prices were based on how long it took to mark/cut/rip/replace. To that time study was added the notions required for the work. I can rip out a fly zipper in a pair or dungarees and replace it about 10 minutes. Add in the price of the new zipper. I'd do them all day long if I could! Hems? are you kidding me? GRAVY! Sleeve alterations... not so much, but I know the drill, am efficient, and my work is beautiful. I charge accordingly.
I love repair work. I like the challenge and I have a forensic mind. Repairs are great money for me.
Making a profit is motivation and should be for any business.
Bobbin, as time goes on, assuming your business is active with furniture projects, it would or should interest furniture people here to hear where garment efficiencies apply to custom shops.
We pull staples, do pattern planning, layout, and cutting. Then, of course sewing and installation. Efficiencies in any of these phases would be interesting. There are other phases in furniture that could be improved are candidates for input also.
In custom work, furniture for example, there is significant tear down time (pulling staples). In manufacturing, tear down time is not an issue but custom work ultimately has to compete with mass production because that time has to be accounted for. Sometimes it takes more time to tear down than to reassemble.
Custom shop work can engage in significant tear down time, therefore needless to say an area that saving time could be good pay back. I experience tear down time in most of repair and full custom redo work.
Doyle
I always reference garment work when it comes to quantifying "time and motion". It makes "time and motion" manifest to the those too young to fully grasp the importance!
Rest assured, Doyle, I use the same stop watch equation when it comes to "tear down, pattern, lay-out, cut/mark,stitch, and fit/staple". If you think I haven't "set the watch", then performed those steps then you're a fool! I use the watch to the monitor the time required for every operation I perform.
The guy I work for had one sewing machine for three upholsterers. At times I needed to use it but it was already occupied. Aggravating for sure. Next to this Consew sat another machine with a cover over it. As far as everybody knew it worked. One day I needed to do a lot of sewing and so did another upholsterer. I decided it was time to unveil the other machine. I found a perfectly good Brother. A little dusting and oiling and we were sewing away. I suggested we put dark thread in one machine and light in the other. But the other upholsterers said they don't like the Brother because it sews to fast. Hmmm. So now I have my own machine, which is fine because I don't have to change the thread every time I use it.
I have my own cutting table (thank god). It is 52" wide (odd) by 8'. When I first started working there it was impossible to walk around it. Three sides were completely blocked. That is now changed but I've always wondered how can anybody cut a pattern from one side of the table?
The boss complains about the speed of the other upholsterers but when I make suggestions how to get production up his response is, too much trouble.
I've become the guy who tells the boss when we need supplies. Nobody else will do it. I've learned to tell him about 6 weeks before we actually need the item. He buys his supplies form different venders to save a few dollars. But I'm not sure I agree with this method. He pays shipping every time he makes an order. He could order all his supplies from one company in Jacksonville and get free and timely weekly delivery. We just waited 8 weeks for a case of 3/8 " staples.
Don't get me wrong y'all. I love working for this guy and plan to stay until I retire. But like Mojo said, sometimes its good to have someone stand outside the box and make suggestions. But what happens when they are so set in their ways there is no chance they will ever change. The thing is if they're making more money, I'm making more money. I've never told them that, maybe I should.
Kody it is good that you enjoy your work. The boss is a good guy, I understand, but he will come around as he sees how effective you are in the shop. Now, like you said, you have your own macine, the boss will surely notice the bump in production.
Bobbin, I probably am a fool, but not because I doubted anything. I was merely interested in what production techniques you brought to the custom and repair business, better and faster ways of getting work done? Some technique that specifically applies to furniture repair and reupholstery at the custom level as many of us are. I understand that the clock is a measure of performance instead of a performance technique. Better clock time usually stem from better performance techniques.
That is all my question was about (the techniques).
Doyle
Bosses are funny. Mine is a great guy, takes good care of his employees and sells a lot of business. His short fall is never writing anything down. I know how this goes. If its in my head you should automatically know it too. LOL. I was like that years ago. Now in my 60s I NEED to write things down. So does he. Communication is a great thing. He is getting better. Habits are hard to break. Supplies use to be tough. But I just get what I need and if it has to be ordered he will order it.
I wish we had a 2nd working machine. Not that I want to sit at it all day but it would come in handy at times.
Other employees are a hard lot. Some are good and slow and some are fast and not so good. It seems hard to find a good medium. We do pretty well. I run the shop pretty much. As long as I know what needs to be done and how it runs well. I think persistence and seeing how things can be done differently makes a difference.
Buy ya gotta remember whose name is on the door.
Kody: I guess if your table is only 52" wide, you really don't need to access it from more than one side. Unless you're a midget, you can reach across 52" :D
Some of the stories that you tell about your boss, and Bobbin tells about her former boss remind me so much of the family-owned business that I grew up in. I think that I remember Bobbin saying that they only had 1 set of welt feet that had to be shared by multiple machines.
Stuff like ordering supplies one-at-a-time, poorly organized work areas, inadequate equipment.
Foam cutters, steamers, cushion stuffers, specialty Osborne tools.........all these things were just pictures in a catalog that I drooled over.
We once joined the local Chamber of Commerce, and had a ribbon-cutting ceremony. One of the C of C officials had to loan my mother a pair of scissors because hers were too dull to cut the ribbon. She just wouldn't part with 2 bucks to get them sharpened. Of course, all that money she saved on sharpening eventually went to the carpal tunnel doctor.
When I officially took the business over back in the mid-90's, the first change I made was to order supplies in bulk from one free delivery truck. I calculated a savings of nearly $2000 in shipping costs the first year alone. And because I bought in bulk, I got better prices on the individual items. My mother just couldn't fathom paying 60 bucks for a case of staples, but she COULD pay 12 bucks + shipping for a couple of boxes every week or 2. At gas stations, she never got more than $5 worth. I think that her greatest fear was that she would die, and leave some unused gas in her tank.
But all these stories are just more examples of what we've already determined. Many upholsterers are very good at their craft, but simply don't have a head for business.
What are MY business shortcomings? Too lazy to count every last staple, or account for every second of productivity.
I'm sure that If I DID keep a tight track of inventory, and set a stopwatch for every working minute, I'd probably make myself crazy thinking about all the money that I'm leaving on the table.
But for basic calculations of yardage and supplies figured into a job, I'd say that I'm above average.
Another weakness would probably be the whole advertising/marketing thing. Mojo says that you can't just rely on word of mouth, but that's basically what I do. Again......probably leaving a lot of money on the table there, too!
But as long as I have more than I can do, I don't worry about it.
I understand your points, sofa d. Here's something additional thoughts. And I know this idea has been kicked around on this forum before.
QuoteWhat are MY business shortcomings? Too lazy to count every last staple, or account for every second of productivity.
When we look at efficiencies, these two things listed above may actually be efficient assets for some folks.
If the goal is to make money, then it could easily cost me more money accounting for every second of productivity than not.
Do I loose more money by not counting every last staple or by taking the time out of production work to actually count every last staple?
One of Stephen Cover's 7 habits of Highly Effective People is "Start with the end in mind." If my 'end' is to make money, then the only reason I would want to look at any efficiencies is to make money.
We single owners often point out that we do not make any money when we take vacations. However, if by taking a vacation we are better able to work the rest of the year, then that vacation certainly helps us make money.
Just some thoughts to think about.
I'm off to work to make some money.
gene
You remember correctly, Sofa.! 3 machines that had interchangeable feet and only one set of welting feet. Only a right zipper foot. One binding set up, not complete, that had to be Gerry rigged every time you needed to bind (it wasn't even a right angle binder). And there was NO proper binding set-up for the zig-zag, even though we did a lot of awning work. I don't miss that crap, at all!
It was nearly impossible to walk around any table in the shop. I feel your pain with respect to that, Kody! The "it's too much work" response is all to familiar, too. Sucked! because it was just so DUMB.
Dull scissors. Like your mother, Sofa., my former boss was too cheap and too unorganized to get the shears sharpened on a regular basis. I used to bring in my own shears when I had to cut something I knew would be frustrating with the shop shears. Drove me nuts! Don't even get me started on the lack of good straight edges. All the numbers were worn off the 2 60 rulers. How can you measure anything if you can't read the numbers??? I have 12", 18", 36", 60", 72", and 96" rulers (with numbers!). I have a square, a French curve, and several retractable tape measures, as well as soft tape measures. If I can't measure accurately how can I do anything??
In nearly every large job I was assigned I'd spent 15 minutes "planning my attack". Boss used to look up and ask, "your just standing there... what's the problem?". The problem? umm... your crappy shop, lack of equipment, and unwillingness to change even the smallest thing because doing so would wound your tender ego. Lol. "Nothing is wrong, I'm just thinking and planning the work".
I was all about breaking work down in to "bite size pcs.". That's how you deal with alteration work. You organize all the ripping down/taking apart and you do it all at once. Then you sort the work into piles based on the color of thread required to do the work. You then move to the next machine required to complete the job (overlock, or blindstitch). To the casual observer it looks like a lot of piles; but the less time spent moving between machines and changing thread the more efficient the operations become! Drove my boss nuts that I would tear out stitching/zippers and then pile up the work, boss was never able to grasp that my "master plan" would come together by the end of the day, and the billing would be very profitable. No trust, no confidence in the how a skilled worker looked at the hours of the work day. No appreciation for the notion that different people tend to look at things differently, but that doesn't mean that the work won't get done and won't be done in an efficient manner.
My biggest beef was lack of a good work order. One that spelled out the details and allowed me to plan my layout and the work I had to perform. I ended up using a spiral notebook. I would patiently take "dictation" from boss and make my own notes for each job. When I left I took the notebooks with me. Boss was freaked out because they contained the only notes on every project I'd been assigned! (duh). The first question I was asked after my last day was, "where is your notebook?". I replied that I had it here. "Can I have it back?". I said yes, and promptly had it copyied, and returned the original. I have the other 5 volumes safe in my own shop. I did, afterall, write them!
Quote from: kodydog on August 18, 2013, 06:19:40 pm
Three sides were completely blocked. That is now changed but I've always wondered how can anybody cut a pattern from one side of the table?
I swear, around these parts, I've been in lots of shops, and I don't recall ever seeing a cutting table that wasn't up against a wall, and flanked on each end by sewing machines or fabric racks. Mine included.
Does it make more sense to have access on all sides? Of course it does. Kody, you've inspired me to take a serious look at remodeling my work area (cutting table in particular).
But one thing I can say proudly.......all my yardsticks have numbers on them! :D
When I set up my own shop the first thing I did was put my tables on casters. I can move them around with one hand. I can walk around them. I put padded covers on the two tables that I planned to use for drapery work... and I installed a long ceiling track that allowed me to use my gravity feed iron for the entire 16' length of the table. There are electrical outlets in the ceiling!
I'm not a neat freak by a long shot. But the accumulated grime in Boss's shop was incredible. There was no way to clean under the tables and aside from me no one ever bothered to clean up the debris from whatever job they'd been assigned. I knew that if you're ever going to clean the shop you have to be able to move the benches so you can clean under them relatively painlessly. I've never been in a canvas shop that wasn't a total -hit hole. Sorry. They're always cluttered and downright dirty. Why? because they are never set up so they can be cleaned!
I knew I wanted to work for interior designers and I knew that would mean working on expensive fabrics... who, in their right mind, would feel comfortable leaving yards of expensive fabric in a dirty shop?? (duh)
I have to say most all shops I've been in are a mess. Seems Upholstery shops are noted for this. I't a shame. I always tried to keep mine neat. Must be my fathers teachings. I think I've been in one other shop my whole life that was kept up. It isn't hard to do if you stay on top of it.
Sofa, It is so much easier to be able to walk around a cutting table then to be stuck on one side. Good exercise too lol.
I've seen shops that had crap piled a mile high everywhere. Many upholsterers don't believe in ever throwing away even the most obscure item (ya never know when ya might need it).
I try to weigh the value of an item against the perceived cost of the space that it will occupy long term. If I don't think the item will "pay for itself" in storage......out it goes. I'd rather just buy another one when I need it than trip over it for the next 20 years.
I keep my work area fairly uncluttered. But I don't do a thorough sweeping until after I finish one job, and right before I start the next one. But let's face it....stripping couches is a dirty job. My 3 AC filters are completely clogged every couple of days.
Getting back to efficiency, I think that keeping "too clean" can be as inefficient as trying to work in a s___hole. There should be a happy medium.
Let's see.....take or keep my shop clean....... I always choose cleaning. I typically clean every other day but there is little to clean up. I throw scraps into the trash immediately as my OCD wont allow me to throw it on the floor.
I vacuum twice a week if nothing more then just to keep the dog hair off the fabric. German Shepherds are noted for shedding alot and both of them wander into the shop, lay down and sleep while supervising me.
I have a bench across from my cutting table that I keep all my tools on. If any of you wants to drive me nuts, sneak in and re-arrange my tools. Yes I know I need professional help. :)
My cutting table is against the wall because I have no room to move it into the center. I wished I did have the room though as I would move it so I could walk around it.
Chris
I think you've got quite a ways to go. I think working for this guy might drive me nuts. I'm organized, but I have a limit, but I have adopted a few of his ideas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OEePS7Oh_g
Quote from: Mojo on August 20, 2013, 04:38:43 am
I have a bench across from my cutting table that I keep all my tools on. If any of you wants to drive me nuts, sneak in and re-arrange my tools. Yes I know I need professional help. :)
Chris
Quote from: byhammerandhand on August 20, 2013, 03:10:19 pm
I think you've got quite a ways to go. I think working for this guy might drive me nuts. I'm organized, but I have a limit, but I have adopted a few of his ideas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OEePS7Oh_g
I'll bet those employees get tired of thinking up silly little "improvements" just to placate their boss.
I wonder how many times the new idea merely nullifies a previous new idea.
I would do well there......for the first week. Then the boss would come up missing and they would find him gagged and bound in a closet somewhere. I am OCD but not that bad.
A daily walk through ?????? Screw that. If he wasn't bringing me coffee and donuts every morning then I would tell him to piss off and move on to the next station. :)
Chris
Quote from: Mojo on August 21, 2013, 04:09:00 am
A daily walk through ?????? Screw that. If he wasn't bringing me coffee and donuts every morning then I would tell him to piss off and move on to the next station.
That guy would probably fire me after the first week, when all of my innovations only served to streamline the break room. ;D
I had a boss at Texas Instruments back in the 80's that did that silly stuff. I think that by involving the "hired help" in daily workplace improvements, he thought that he was making us feel important. But we knew the truth.....we were just a name and a number.
He showered us with all kinds of little medals, certificates, and loud vocal "Attaboy!" recognitions......... everything except a pay raise. I always hated cheerleader bosses, with all their perky "Rah-rah" crap.
There's a reason why I'm self-employed.
The basic concept is a good one. But that guy would drive me nuts, too. I've always loathed management who have clearly been trained to use "we" instead of you. Do they seriously think that makes people feel as though they're part of the team? Sometimes it does, but more often it becomes the basis for break room jokes.
I like the idea of streamlining the break room, BTW.
This is MY sanctuary (The fridge is well-stocked):
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi775.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy33%2Fsofadoc%2Fth_DSC05428.jpg&hash=b5eb0ac25893da1050e82442cbb66415) (http://s775.photobucket.com/user/sofadoc/media/DSC05428.jpg.html)
My daughters both work nearby. They come to my shop for lunch everyday. Sometimes, they bring their friends. They all say that my break room is better than theirs. I think they just like it better because everything is free. ;)
I'd come over for lunch, too.
I'm drawn by the "steam-lined" look. ;)
If I remember right, and I don't want to suffer through the video again: They have a "morning meeting" every day, then spend about 1/2 hour to come up with a 2-minute improvement. Finally, they get started and work another 6 hours doing productive work. Doing math, doing math... every 30 days (six work weeks), they'll save an hour's time each day. So in 36 work weeks (about 9 months), they'll save enough time that they won't even have to work that six hours. Wink.
One of the managers in a related group where I used to work (and I thank God that my group never reported to him) was a big stickler for details. When he left the company, the facilities management people cleaned out his storage area. They dumped out the contents of over 1500 three-ring notebooks into a paper recycling cart, boxed up all those notebooks and donated them to a group that gives school supplies to inner-city kids.
Tsk, tsk. I'd suggest several improvements:
- A sign that says, "Water"
- A sign that says, "Microwave"
- Visual controls on the outside of the fridge. For example, take empty Shiner cans, flatten them out, and paste them on the front of the fridge for all the shelves that hold the beer. You may need a beef jerky label on the bottom right.
- Likewise, take empty ice cream cartons for the freezer, alphabetical order left to right - Buttered Almond, Chocolate Chunk, Moose Tracks, Vanilla
- Label and visual control on the red cooler -- your choice "Beer +1" or "Just-in-Time Beer"
There. Now you're all set for next week's morning walks.
Quote from: sofadoc on August 22, 2013, 06:47:14 am
This is MY sanctuary (The fridge is well-stocked):
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi775.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy33%2Fsofadoc%2Fth_DSC05428.jpg&hash=b5eb0ac25893da1050e82442cbb66415) (http://s775.photobucket.com/user/sofadoc/media/DSC05428.jpg.html)
My daughters both work nearby. They come to my shop for lunch everyday. Sometimes, they bring their friends. They all say that my break room is better than theirs. I think they just like it better because everything is free. ;)
Ugh. I have done work regularly for a hotel complex. They got a new shipment of furniture in recently and half a dozen pieces need some repairs. Problem is these pieces are in a nearby warehouse as "attic storage" (the term they use for extra pieces to replace damage beyond repair in the future).
Today, I got four documents that I need to fill out to work in the warehouse.
Cut and paste below is part of the text of one of them that runs a full five pages, running thru section 5.27.11 and beyond. You don't have to read it all to catch the gist of how much this company loves policies and procedures. I've redacted their name by substituting "ACME" where their name appeared.
I'm tempted to use the "Flood them with data" approach by sending all 1000 or so MSDS that I have, but I have the feeling they might just relish that. Maybe one per e-mail?
`
Scope: All Contractors contracted by and servicing ACME Packaging.
1. Purpose: To provide procedures and education of ACME's Food Safety Policy to all contractors servicing and or performing work within the facility or on the property of ACME Packaging. This is to ensure all foreign material is controlled and there is no contamination of product.
2. Responsibility:
2.1. ACME Packaging's SQF Practitioner shall have the responsibility to develop, implement, maintain, and oversee ACME's Contractor Policy and Manual.
2.2. Contractor is responsible for providing the names of employees who shall be working on-site at ACME Packaging.
2.3. Contractor is responsible to review this document with their employees who shall work on-site at ACME Packaging.
2.4. Contractor shall provide a list of materials the contractor brings into the facility.
2.5. Contractor shall provide the Material Safety Data Sheet for any materials where a MSDS is required the contractor is bring into the facility.
3. Definitions
3.1. Non-labeled container- a container where the contents is not clearly identified on the outside of the container
3.2. MSDS-(Material Safety Data Sheet) -Formal document containing important information about the characteristics and actual or potential hazards of a substance. It identifies the manufacturer of the material (with name, address, phone, and fax number) and usually includes (1) chemical identity, (2) hazardous ingredients, (3) physical and chemical properties, (4) fire and explosion data, (5)reactivity data, (6) health hazards data, (7) exposure limits data, (8) precautions for safe storage and handling, (9) need for protective gear, and (10) spill control, cleanup, and disposal procedures
4. Equipment and Software
4.1. Contractor tools and equipment shall be clean, not greasy or leaking oil
4.2. ACME Packaging Maintenance Manager shall inspect and approve all tools and equipment
4.3. Contractor shall complete "Contractor Item List" form for all items contractor is bringing into the facility
4.4. Contractor shall provide MSDS for any and all materials which require an MSDS
4.5. A locker for temporary use to store personal items is available to Contractor
5. Instructions
5.1. Security- ACME is a limited access facility.
5.1.1. Contractors shall provide a list of Contractor's employees who shall service ACME Packaging.
5.1.2. All Contractors shall be pre-approved for on-site work.
5.1.3. Contractor's employees shall show photo identification at sign-in on first day of work.
5.1.4. Contractor shall have limited access to facility
5.2. ACME Packaging Point of Contact
5.2.1. Each Contractor shall have a primary point of contact
5.2.2. ACME Packaging Point of Contact shall define scope of work with contractor
5.2.3. Contractor shall direct all communication to the Point of Contact
5.2.4. Contractor shall not ask questions of ACME production staff or fork lift operators
5.3. Orientation
5.3.1. All contractors and their employees shall attend Contractor Orientation before the start of work.
5.3.2. Any contractor or employee who does not complete and sign Orientation Training shall not be permitted access to the facility to work
5.4. Prohibited items on the Premises
5.4.1. The following items are prohibited on ACME Property
5.4.1.1. Alcoholic beverages
5.4.1.2. Narcotics or controlled substances
5.4.1.3. Explosives
5.4.1.4. Firearms and/ or ammunition
5.4.1.5. Concealed weapons
5.4.2. Any Contractor found with any above prohibited items shall be asked to leave the facility / property immediately.
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Quote from: byhammerandhand on August 22, 2013, 03:20:36 pm
Tsk, tsk. I'd suggest several improvements:
- A sign that says, "Water"
- A sign that says, "Microwave"
- Visual controls on the outside of the fridge. For example, take empty Shiner cans, flatten them out, and paste them on the front of the fridge for all the shelves that hold the beer. You may need a beef jerky label on the bottom right.
- Likewise, take empty ice cream cartons for the freezer, alphabetical order left to right - Buttered Almond, Chocolate Chunk, Moose Tracks, Vanilla
- Label and visual control on the red cooler -- your choice "Beer +1" or "Just-in-Time Beer"
There. Now you're all set for next week's morning walks.
Quote from: sofadoc on August 22, 2013, 06:47:14 am
This is MY sanctuary (The fridge is well-stocked):
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi775.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy33%2Fsofadoc%2Fth_DSC05428.jpg&hash=b5eb0ac25893da1050e82442cbb66415) (http://s775.photobucket.com/user/sofadoc/media/DSC05428.jpg.html)
My daughters both work nearby. They come to my shop for lunch everyday. Sometimes, they bring their friends. They all say that my break room is better than theirs. I think they just like it better because everything is free. ;)
Wow Keith! All that......and you didn't even notice that the calendar is still turned to JUNE :D
BTW You forgot the "PORN" label on the filing cabinet. ;)
Quote from: sofadoc on August 19, 2013, 12:11:42 pm
Quote from: kodydog on August 18, 2013, 06:19:40 pm
Three sides were completely blocked. That is now changed but I've always wondered how can anybody cut a pattern from one side of the table?
I swear, around these parts, I've been in lots of shops, and I don't recall ever seeing a cutting table that wasn't up against a wall, and flanked on each end by sewing machines or fabric racks. Mine included.
Does it make more sense to have access on all sides? Of course it does. Kody, you've inspired me to take a serious look at remodeling my work area (cutting table in particular).
But one thing I can say proudly.......all my yardsticks have numbers on them! :D
I have 2 table both that I can cut a patter if needed . and working with 60" fabric I cut my patterns to fit 60" and a table at least the cutting table it really is necessary to access both sides on a sewing table it is nice at time t have it against a wall so wide fabrics don't fall off the side and hang up .
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi782.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy102%2FMike8560%2Fth_CAA61420-DE67-4F42-9272-944258696192-179-0000001220F4B16F.jpg&hash=02d41f5db4525e7218ed0dd38ef07988) (http://s782.photobucket.com/user/Mike8560/media/CAA61420-DE67-4F42-9272-944258696192-179-0000001220F4B16F.jpg.html)
Quote from: byhammerandhand on August 22, 2013, 02:59:33 pm
So in 36 work weeks (about 9 months), they'll save enough time that they won't even have to work that six hours. Wink.
.
working with my dad paing and plastering along time ago he had these 2 guys that always hit the rest roo about a 1.2 hour before quitting time they killed times then washed up to go. so in a conversation one day this came up and a 3 guy said " hey Jack I never go to the bathroom can I save up my bathroom time and get a day off?"
That's funny Mike, I once had a stripper who would knock off 15 mins early and hang out in the bathroom. I always wondered what he was doing in there. Or maybe I really don't want to know. I can say, one day my tooth past turned up missing. Hmm.
The first six months at the new job I always came in 1 hour before anyone else. Every Monday morning I would spend 1/2 hour improving my work area. I threw out a lot of crap they forgot they had and will never miss. Like a box of pink sidewalk chalk, 20 empty 5" X 5" cardboard boxes and lots of empty spray cans.
Also under all the crap I found some long lost useful things like 5 half full cans of spray glue, 10 rolls of 1/2" cardboard strips and an air powered drill.
The different size staples for the upholstery guns were stored in different parts of the shop. I moved them all to one location and now, at a glance you can see which sizes need to ordered.
The staples and nails for the large pneumatic guns were stored behind my work bench. Every time someone needed to use them I had to stop working and let them by. They are now moved to a more central location.
The stereo/CD player sat on a shelf next to my cutting table. I like music as background noise, not blaring in my left ear. Every time I left the room someone would crank it up and I would be the one to get in trouble with the boss. One day as I turned the music down I heard the other upholsterer complain, Ed must not like my music. So the next morning I moved the whole system behind the complainer. He thought this was great, for about a day. Then he realized how annoying it really was. Now we rarely listen to the stereo at all.
Quote from: kodydog on August 23, 2013, 06:36:36 pm
So the next morning I moved the whole system behind the complainer. He thought this was great, for about a day. Then he realized how annoying it really was. Now we rarely listen to the stereo at all.
With 3 air conditioners running wide open, and customers coming in and out all day, air tools, sewing machine, I'm not going to try to listen to music.
Just too much noise pollution already going on in the shop.
I know that some of you guys work from a more private setting (not open to the public). So music relaxes you while you work. I cherish the quiet. To me, for every decibel the music is turned up, it feels about 10 degrees hotter.
First off let me say I refuse to work unless I have two things - 1.) Music 2.) Coffee. If either run out I run out of the shop.
Dennis: My entire shop is about the same size as your break room. But I do have a break room. It is in the house and doubles as our bedroom. :)
Mike: You have a whole lot of space to work around. Awesome. Love the setup.
Keith: The older I get the more I hate red tape, paperwork and regulations.
I really need to build a new shop. My work area is cramped, my storage area is scattered ( some of it in the garage, some in the shed and some in the lean to. Seeing these big shops like Mike make me envious. :)
Chris