Avoid problems by implementing these four lubrication strategies.
ConsumerSearch.com, owned by The About Group, collects the best editorial and user-generated product reviews, analyzes their picks and recommends what to buy in over 340 product categories, from MP3 players to snow blowers. With more than 35 percent of U.S. consumers across all income levels expecting to spend less money this holiday season, according to a September 2008 study by The Nielsen Company, shoppers will rely on credible product research more than ever.According to a study by BIGresearch, 38.3 percent of adults in the United States (almost 85 million) regularly research products online before purchasing (Source: BIGresearch, Simmons 12, June 2008). Along with a thorough analysis of the best reviewed products, ConsumerSearch.com provides multi-page reports for each product category. "We've added new buyer's guides to help consumers understand product categories with multiple types of products," continued Ms. Irvine. "For example, with televisions we summarize the advantages and disadvantages of LCD, plasma, projection and standard TV's."Rather than having to visit multiple review sites to see what experts and users think of a particular product, ConsumerSearch.com saves shoppers time and effort by analyzing those findings and then making its own product recommendations."Our goal was to create a design that makes it easier for site users to make buying decisions," added Ms. Irvine. "We want to help people feel good about what they buy and one way to do that is to make confident purchases based on the homework they've done utilizing the top information sources we provide."The About Group is part of The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), a leading media company with 2007 revenues of $3.2 billion, which includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 16 other daily newspapers, WQXR-FM and more than 50 Web sites, including NYTimes.com, Boston.com and About.com. The Company's core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.Now back to the snow blower. What should have been an easy operation turned into a nightmare. The drive shaft seized and refused to let go- it's going to take hours of pounding, torching and coercing to get the shaft out and a new drive gear in place. This could have been avoided if I had taken the time to apply a nickel's worth of antiseize agent to the drive shaft. Maybe a month will get it ready.2. Identify all lubrication points. Use diagrams, pictures and schedules. Employ the KISS system- Keep It Simple, Stupid. Establish the program so the shop floor can understand and perform the operations on a timely basis. Then use your experience to identify points that are not readily apparent. Antiseize for gear shafts is a good example. I'll explain more about that in a minute.Io write these articles I often take a problem I am dealing with and draw comparisons to the shop floor. This month I'm dealing with a problem that reminds me of a very important point: Machines have to be ready to perform their duties when called upon.So how does this relate to what a sales engineer does? Qn the shop floor we have to make sure the recommended lubricant is proper for the job. We have to make sure the lubricant is applied when needed in the proper amount. We have to maintain the lubricant in the proper condition to run the application. Ultimately, we have to insure the machine is ready to perform.3. Perform all operations on a scheduled basis. Verify that the work is being performed in a timely proper manner. Use the machine lubricant specification sheets made up earlier as a visual check by a supervisor or yourself. Check the sheet to make sure operations are being checked off as they are completed. Then look at each lubrication point to ensure the job was done correctly. Retrain any operator or maintenance man who is not getting it right.
Pete Oglevie is president of International Production Technologies in Port Washington, Wis. You can reach him at poglevie@intprotec.com.
Author: Oglevie, Peter A
No comments:
Post a Comment