Plumbing is a Complex Business

In the plumbing and heating industry "controlled mayhem" is the order of the day! With well over 10,000 parts that have to be installed, replaced, or repaired in an infinite number of locations and arrangements, preparing and organizing for every situation is impossible! Improvising, being fast on your feet, having the ability to access new information, all play an important part in a plumber's ability to solve a problem. In an industry where more often than not, a mechanic can find him or herself alone in a darkened basement or worse- a critter infested dirt crawlspace, it is their knowledge, outside resources, and modern technology that can come to the aid of the conscientious plumbing contractor, reducing labor costs while also increasing profits.

Every plumber must pass a rigorous exam in order to be licensed, but a vast amount of knowledge comes from the task-orientated experience gained in the field. Plumbers with this kind of knowledge make the best "lead" plumbers or job supervisors. An experienced plumber, because of the many situations he or she has been exposed to, has the uncanny ability to assimilate, effectively applying knowledge obtained in prior experiences, to new and demanding situations. Often it is this type of knowledge that is most effective during problem solving. Critical thinking skills help the lead plumber determine his or her approach. A good lead plumber/supervisor in the plumbing and heating industry will take inventory of the many different ways in which to solve a specific problem before deciding on the best possible method of repair for each individual situation. The pros and cons of each proposed method must be well thought out based on several factors which include, but are not limited to: long-term benefits, time constraints, cost, availability of materials, and finally, the customer's approval of both method and cost. Once the method has been decided upon and the customer has agreed to start the work, there is still the possibility that the mechanics will encounter more difficulty than they first anticipated, or that there are more obstacles that must be addressed first in order to make the original repair or installation.

At this point in the process, the supervisor will consult with the individual responsible for payment, as their approval is a must before any additional work over and above the initial estimate can commence. Some conditions may even require written approval. Knowing your customer's spending habits as well as understanding their personal requirements in regards to "mechanical fitness" is very helpful. Some individuals lean towards quick, inexpensive repairs, while others demand only the best possible methods that yield long-term results- cost being no object. Knowledge of both job and of customer is very important to the supervisor who will make all the important decisions on site, reporting later to upper management or in some cases, ownership.

The telephone and the Internet have become just as important as a pipe wrench or an acetylene torch to a plumbing contractor in the new millennium. A phone call or email to the right person can help clarify installation requirements, code restrictions, assist in repair procedures, and help access parts. Management's job is to do their homework prior to the job start date, avoiding wasteful time trying to gather the necessary information with a work crew already on site and ready to go. In the plumbing industry local supply houses frequently have the answers to many of the tough questions concerning product, but when they do not, they have the ability to put contractors in touch with the individuals that do. The next step in this information search is to contact a manufacturer's rep company, which should be very familiar with the products they sell. If they are not knowledgeable enough to suggest a solution, they will refer the contractor directly to the manufacturer. There he or she can speak with the technical department or in some cases, directly with the engineers who designed the product in question, where the insight they share usually leads directly to the best possible solution. At this depth of trouble-shooting, the information gets very technical, and developing relationships and having the ability to access knowledgeable individuals at this level will make any plumber a better mechanic.

Although wrenches and torches remain the stable mates of a plumber's arsenal of tools, the telephone and the internet are every bit as important to the modern contractor in the new millennium. Of the 10,000 or more parts that are available in the plumbing industry, there is none more important than the one you do not have. Having access to a full array of outside resources can reduce the anxiety involved in locating it. Knowledge of your industry is important, but understanding your customer's needs and being able to fulfill them, keeps a steady stream of repeat customers on the books. The ability to organize in an efficient manner is management's primary concern, but being able to react to difficult situations in a controlled manner reduces employee anxiety, facilitates results, and keeps your customers happy. "Controlled mayhem" is the order of the day in the plumbing and heating industry, but a good manager remains calm, organized, and uses technology, outside resources, and knowledge to keep it all under control.

This article is taken from business strategy blog

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What Does Industrial Plant Management Involve

Today, more than ever before the nation and most of its institutions are facing one problem or the other that have proved insoluble and rather intractable. the political system is unstable, the industries are struggling for survival, we find it difficult to uphold and practice justice, we are being unfair in our dealings, our industry output is poor, electric supply is epileptic, there is rarely any industry that can produce at half capacity, the Naira is almost worthless that one can safely conclude that the economy is witnessing a depression. The per capital income which rose to $1000 in 1988 is now reckoned to be less than $400. Nigeria as a country has receded from being classified as a middle income country in the world table to being one of the 20 poorest countries in the world. Taking the economy as a whole the situation has being characterized by chronic under performance - a classic case of economic depression.

This paper will be a mix theory and practice. In the course of our discussion, attempt will be made to define management( the bedrock of the topic) and its components. What industry is shall be examined. The issue of depression in an economy. How management can help find solution to a depressed economy.

What is management?
Management as a subject has many parts depending on what part you intend to look at and concentrate. It has been so many things to many men. As a result of which so many people have given so many definitions all saying almost the same thing. It is likened to that old Hindu legend of the six blind men who went to "see" an elephant. One felt the elephant leg and declared the elephant was like a tree. The second passed his hand along the flank, and declared that the elephant was like a wall.The third pulled on the tail and declared that the elephant was like a rope. The fourth encountered the squirming trunk, and declared the elephant was a snake. The fifth felt the ear and declared and declared the elephant was like a fan. The sixth took the tusk between his hands and declared that the elephant was like a spare. So it is with management. It has many sides.

Niccolo Machiavelli in the 15th century with a unique theory which dwelt on four types of management, showing how the "prince" or leader could meet his obligations.

First, through cohesiveness, second by acquiring the consent of the ruled, thirdly, by maintaining his leadership qualities, the fourth toughness.

The concept of scientific management was introduced by Fredrick Tailor after the industrial revolution. Tailor introduced the concept of mean getting and training the right person for the right job. This technique is still practiced by some organizations today.

Henry Fayol, developed a top management theory. He proclaimed five functions of Administrative management; planning, organizing, commanding, co-ordinating and controlling. It was from him that the world learned that for any action whatsoever, an employee should receive orders from one superior only. Fayol's principles met with criticism and repudiation on the grounds that he perceived his "employees" as a "mindless robot" lacking or incapable of exercising initiative.

There was Max Weber"s famous bureaucracy theory. One of its shortcomings is, however, the tendency for initiative to get stifled.

There was the Human Relations Movement Spearheaded by Elton Mayo who built the performance of the employee on his state of mind and body and not on the idea which would alienate him from emotional attributes as hitherto expressed by Taloy and Fayol. Elton Mayo introduced rest periods and shifts into long working hours and got satisfactory production results. He identified certain characteristics which induced better performance, work pacing, recognizing and appreciating "workers" contribution to production, social interaction within groups, discussing publicly complaints among workers and changing working environment occasionally to offset boredom. He concluded that the fact that the employee was seen as an individual, not an addition to the machine provided the key to his effectiveness.

MacGregor's X and Y theories are worth looking at. He believed that the previous postulations on management's perception of people were old fashioned, because these failed to take cognizance of people's educational and psychological development on the job.

X's management's perception of the average man was unflattering. It saw the workers as someone who disliked work, was to be "pushed", "controlled", "directed" and therefore threatened with disciplinary action, if objectives were to be achieved.

Y's theory on the other hand was flattering because the worker was perceived as expanding his physical and mental abilities naturally, did not need to be coerced, was purpose-oriented, learned, committed his time to the realization of objectives, had initiatives, was creative, and expected to be rewarded for his efforts.

Some other people also see management as a bogyman who can make or break workers' hopes and aspirations; the management hardly appreciates or commends good work but only looks out for faults, there is the belief that the people make the money, while management spends it on themselves, which gives rise to the reference of "them" and "us". We also have the total quality concept of management. Quality is a word used to mean luxury, goodness, precision or excellent finish in a product.This word quality is now used in the direction of performance. Hence quality(performance) becomes a variable which we constantly improve upon. There are two types of qualities now, one with small q, the other with capital Q, one is for quality control the other is for quality improvement or performance. We have q(quality control) + Q(performance) = TQ(Total quality).

Total quality is about how the control acts of an organization work together to achieve better results. This involves satisfying customers, a continuous improvement of performance, eliminating waste and excesses, and enhancing the contributions of workers for the good of the whole.

What we have done so far is the review of management theories and techniques which has been postulated in human organizations over the years.

Management therefore is concerned with the accomplishment of objectives through the efforts of other people. Objectives or goals are the final results expected. It is the act of getting things done through people. It is the ability to properly mobilize human resources towards continuous improvement in performance, through the offer of attractive incentives, with the ultimate aim of achieving desirable results. The ultimate objective of management is to engineer the progress of the society by ensuring first, the highest level of happiness for the largest number of citizens and second for the more rapid growth of society.
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Corporate Strategy

Awareness of the company that his fate depends also on the environment and the community about the rise of late. Therefore, we can also read the news more often about the increasing efforts that include a corporate social responsibility (CSR).

In the country we can see efforts such as Telkom who donated computers and Internet connections to assist in the villages, the Sampoerna diligently to provide scholarships, or Unilever products through the development Lifebouy help higenis a toilet in the villages. Anyone who do these things, and whatever they do, we give them worthy of praise. We also expect more companies to follow them.

Unfortunately, most companies still view CSR as part of the cost or reactive measures to anticipate rejection and community environment. Some companies are able to raise the status of CSR to a higher level with the making as part of efforts to increase brand building and corporate image. However, efforts CSR is still a rarely used as part of a strategic planning company.


CSR and corporate strategy? Sounds second it mutually incompatible. Milton Friedman, the Nobel Prize winning economist, even pout efforts to make the company as a tool for social purposes. Corporate goal, according to him, only generate economic benefits for shareholders. Of course, Friedman's considered opinion increasingly outdated. However, creating synergies between CSR and corporate strategy is not something that is also prevalent.

Fortunately only a few large companies and academic circles, including Michael Porter, Clayton Christensen, and Rosabeth Moss Kanter (third from the Harvard Business School), has proven successful programs CSR disinergikan with the company's strategy will provide a far more impact to the community and large companies itself compared to the efforts of CSR ala measure. According to them, only with the CSR as part of corporate strategy, CSR programs can be eternal. Because the company's strategy is closely related to the CSR program, the company will not remove the program even though the CSR was a crisis, unless you want to change the fundamental strategy. While in cases of CSR in general, so the company was a crisis, the CSR program will be cut first.

An example of a very interesting case is that Nestle to help the breeder cow in India. Before Nestle into India, the farmers who have difficult access to clean water channels, the land fertile, and other infrastructures that support should be satisfied with the life-cow beef lean and short. When Nestle into India, the company quickly realized for the supply of pure milk is sufficient, they need to help the breeder's. Thus, the CSR program diluncurkanlah massive.

Nestle established centers with milk storage engine cooling in some places. In addition, periodically, the car that brought the Nestle veterinarian, nutrition experts, agriculture experts, and experts come to the quality of the breeder. Financial and technical assistance are also provided to help the cattle farmers dig wells and improve the well-irrigation system. The result? When Nestle was first launched this program, only 180 local breeder who participate. Nestle now have to handle about 75,000 cattle farmers. Milk production increased by 50 per breeder times, and the standard of living of the breeder took much improved.

An example is the hotel group Marriott International, which provides job training to the unemployed heavyweight. This program is run in a dozen cities in the U.S.. Marriott promising trainees work remains if they successfully pass. This program was not only to help the unemployed and the local community, but also Marriott. Why? In fact received the unemployment of more loyal to the company.

Company information-technology companies such as Cisco and Microsoft also does not lag. Cisco to provide free training on them-they are talented but can not afford to obtain certification from Cisco. Microsoft to assist schools in developing countries (including Australia) in the computer design curriculum subjects. When the students have graduated, their skills can be used to support products that are produced by two companies.

That's some examples of successful companies in the strategy and coordinate their CSR program. They not only succeeded in helping the environment and local communities, but also the company itself. Synergies between the two was very possible. If we want to complete the social problems, may be the main key is located on the involvement of the corporate sector at this time because of the strength of the corporation has exceeded the power of government and other institutions. Which is the main problem is how difficult it is to change the mindset for this purpose the company and see each other for behind CSR.

Who is your company said this challenge?

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Information Technology : New Business Opportunities

The world of information technology doesn't necessarily offer bigger and better opportunities than old-fashioned games like fast food. But IT is spawning more opportunities faster than any other business - and technological whiz-kids aren't the only ones making millions.

You can't control a twinge of envy when a company like Maid, previously little known, sees its shares double in a week - thanks to a deal to provide Microsoft's Internet services with business information. But envy's the wrong response. Try emulation instead.

The world of information technology doesn't necessarily offer bigger and better opportunities than old-fashioned games like fast food. But for small firms IT is spawning more business opportunities faster than any other industry - and technological whiz-kids aren't the only ones making millions.

To join them, though, the best route is to work for an existing IT company or join forces with someone who does. Time and again, the large employer either ignores an employee's bright idea or, even worse, alienates key workers by putting a stop to their key work.


IBM, for spectacular example, decided that its Mannheim unit in Germany should stop work on software that organises tasks across large corporations. Furious at losing their baby to another part of IBM, five engineers stomped out and started SAP. It has sold $4 billion of software since 1972, and leads the US market.

As for turning up noses at bright ideas, an established mainframe software company wasn't at all interested in Dave Duffield's plan to make 'client-server' networks (which link PCs) easy to use for basic business functions. After going public in 1992, five years after foundation, PeopleSoft has made Duffield worth more than $400 million.

The first rule for joining the hi-tech race, then, is the same as for any entrepreneurial venture. Back your own judgment. The next best course is to back somebody else who has that faith. One businessman who wisely joined a whiz-kid is now worth $29 million - although the company, UUNet, lost $7 million in its latest year.

Like SAP and PeopleSoft, UUNet features in a fascinating Fortune survey of up-and-coming (sometimes just arrived) IT companies with gee-whiz names like Tenth Planet and Humongous Entertainment (educational software), Digital Domain (special effects for films) and On Ramp. The last, founded by another big company escapee, designs Internet content - and the Internet (see Maid) is the hottest current scene.

The heat won' t last, though; money-losing companies won't go on making 23 millionaires overnight through dizzy stock market ratings. The Internet is attracting over-excited attention because the potential market is immense. Yet other markets are just as large which aren't in cyberspace, but down to earth: like management meetings.

The estimated 45 million meetings held every week matches the Net for potential users. So a company, Proxima, which makes overhead projectors fed straight from a PC, has the right idea. Look for very large markets where technology can provide an advantage that you would value highly yourself. The best entrepreneurs are their own greatest fans.

In high-tech, though, it helps if the next greatest fans are very large, rich companies. The Microsoft connection which made Maid is an example. Look through the ranks of IT stars, and other giants like IBM and AT&T crop up as early customers or even backers. Knocking on big company doors is therefore another wise move.

In fact, their doors may open more readily than those of the venture capitalists who are popularly supposed to support start-ups. The venturers, however, mostly pulled back after some bitter losses. That's a constant fear with new technologies - that promised wonders will never materialise, or will disappoint.

The fear is never shared by IT entrepreneurs, which is the right attitude. It needs to be tempered by realism. That's why taking in a partner with wide business experience is an excellent idea. These firms can grow so fast - doubling every year, say - that there isn't time to learn management on the job.

But you also need to keep the system free-and-easy, like one Internet entrepreneur who has only three rules for his 80 employees: Do what you're hired for. Do some personal development. Do some office task. The idea is to keep an adaptable culture so that your people won't join the breakaway ranks. The biggest single source of new whiz-companies seems to be Apple - which was once a whizzing breakaway itself.

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