Hey smokers, at the moment you still have the right to pollute your lungs (which does make insurance rates higher, FACT) but you absolutely DO NOT have the right to litter your cigarette butts all over this earth! Throwing these cancer sticks out onto the earth is illegal in most states. All you with “Save The Earth” bumper stickers are such hypocrites. You can make all the excuses you want but its still littering and its ugly. There is absolutely nothing you can say to justify it.. If this pisses you off, then good! Stop littering and be responsible.
Hey Smokers!!
June 28th, 2010
Success
June 18th, 2010It is the season to celebrate graduations from college or high school and reflect on what has brought us success. While our experience cannot be a road map for everyone looking to succeed, it can provide important tried and true lessons for success. (1) you need a passion for your career choice, it is more than a job, (2) you need a passion for the organization that you work for and a belief in their mission, (3) you need to see the “big picture”, and lastly (4) you need to jump in with both feet and your whole heart; half way never leads to success. Success comes from loving what you do, the organization that you support, your fellow team members and waking up every morning excited to do it all over again.
Memorial Day
May 31st, 2010On this Memorial Day take a few moments to reflect on what this day means, to observe the day and be mindful of the sacrifices of others and enjoy the freedoms they bought for us.
All Americans should understand the price of freedom and appreciate the importance of honoring our nation’s service members who have died in battle.
We should never grow complacent about the sacrifice of those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
As we reflect on the true cost of liberty, visit a memorial, fly the flag, keep the tradition of observance alive. Always thank a veteran or active military person.
Thank you, Maryln Brown
Too Sensitive
May 29th, 2010
At one time or another, we have all been offended. Someone has said or did something that hurt our feelings. Regardless of how tough we are; it has happened to all of us. As our 24/7 lives become chaotic with daily demands, especially during extremely busy stressful times; I am noticing that the level of sensitivity goes up proportionally. Things that we would normally not think anything of and likely blow off; suddenly become a major offense. Just like a Rooster, the tail feathers are up in the air and we are on the defensive ready for a battle. Quite often, the intent of the comment (verbal or written) was not what we received or they were just having a bad day. Long after it has left their mind, we are still stewing over it; waiting for the next opportunity to get even. It should not be about us getting even, because it is really about us being too sensitive. Leave your sensitivity at the door and use anything said as an opportunity for improvement. Awareness is our greatest asset to improvement. So, put on your grownup panties and deal with it!
Having a bad day?
May 12th, 2010It takes the same amount of effort to have a good day than a bad day! With increasing needs from customers, co-workers, friends and family it is even more worth while and productive to have and maintain a positive focused attitude. Remember that your demeanor is infectious to those around you, if negativity is abundant then it will flourish, same goes for a happy positive attitude. Nothing gets done the right way with a negative approach; any situation that is currently on your plate will only get done and taken care of with a good solid happy approach. So let’s stop blaming our computers, departments, kids, boss and luck for our bad days and change the attitude, and a positive change is on the way.
HAVE A GREAT DAY! - Mike Menke
Good Habits and Ownership
May 7th, 2010Did you ever notice that the age of anything has no impact on how well it looks or works? It all boils down to the great care taken to preserve, by someone who took ownership. In a nut shell, if it looks like crap you can sum it up to bad habits or a lack of caring ownership. If you have ever gone used car shopping, you quickly distinguish those that have had great care and that dealership tried to make look pretty. Those immaculate cars say a lot about their owners and their good habits. Ownership is not a requirement for these people to give great care, they treat others possessions as their own; just look in other areas of their life. Now look around and see what you think people are saying about your habits. Is your department or office clean and well organization? How do you treat others property? Would someone call your car immaculate? In a few minutes a day, you can begin to develop better habits; just by stopping to take great care of what you have been given responsibility for and remember ownership should not matter.
Team player
April 30th, 2010Quite frankly, one of the most overused words in the English vocabulary. Everyone thinks they are a team player and if there is a problem within the team, it is someone else on the team. True team players understand that either you are part of the solution, or you are part of the problem. Characterized by seeing the bigger picture and doing whatever is necessary for the benefit of the team are just two of their strong attributes. They also respect all members of the team. Often they use words like “We” and “Us”, not “they” or “them”. Motivated to exceed goals and expectations, each member of the team clearly understands their role and the expectations of the team. Peer pressure is far more effective in holding all team members accountable and members work harder to make each other be right than proving them wrong.
To Vote or Not to Vote
April 26th, 2010The primary is only a week away and with the chaos we have seen in Washington DC this last year; I ponder what impact that will have on voter turnout. This last year as we have struggled to exit the deepest recession since “The Great Depression”, we have seen a government focused on backroom deals and not the needs of the people. Only 62% of those registered, voted in the 2008 Presidential election. Given this is only a mid-term election; voter turnout is generally expected to be lower. These elected officials are determining the direction of our country, our economy and our freedoms. History has shown that battles have been fought for our right to vote. To vote is to give one voice that collectively determines and shapes our future. We can choose to be part of the problem or part of the solution. If you enjoy your freedoms and want to be part of the solution, you need to get out there and vote on May 4th.
Administrative Assistant Day
April 21st, 2010Today is administrative assistant day, so it is a good time as managers to thank those that support our efforts behind the scenes and make us look good. Recognition for a job “well done” or “above the call of duty”; should be a regular part of our jobs as managers. In any organization, it takes a great team to succeed. Bremen Castings thanks all of our administrative professionals today and reminds them that their hard work does not go unnoticed; they are an integral part of the BCI team. Thank You
How did April 15th become tax day?
April 15th, 2010We may forget birthdays and anniversaries; but I doubt anyone forgets that April 15th is the day of reckoning for personal income taxes in the United States. Given that today is April 15th, we should take a closer look at the origin. The implementation of the personal income tax was the direct result of Congress passing the sixteenth Amendment on February 3rd, 1913 with the deadline for filing being chosen as March 1st of the following year. The deadline was changed to March 15th in 1918, for unknown reasons. The last time the deadline was moved, it became April 15th in 1955. For the last 55-years April 15th has been the deadline for personal income taxes.
Attitude Adjustment – an internal choice
April 6th, 2010With unemployment levels at a 26-year high and hovering around 10%; employees have been called on to push boundaries deep into unchartered waters. Employer expectations for performance, demand for customer service and the survival needs of the organization have all increased requirements on the employee. Employees are being required to wear multiple hats, think outside the box, help others be right instead of proving them wrong, work longer hours; all the while constantly reaffirming their value to the organization with great personal sacrifice. These stressors and the increased tension inside organizations have led to some unpleasant working environments due to poor attitudes. In an environment with a huge talent pool competing for a limited number of positions; a poor attitude can put the final nail in your coffin. Periodically step back and take a hard look at your attitude; if it sucks then you need to internally make some decisions for a better attitude. Remember our responses trigger responses in others, so if you want good responses you need to give good responses. Attitude, good or bad, is an internal choice that only you can make.
Asking for Help
March 31st, 2010The fear of asking for help has derailed quite a few extremely talented employees. Asking for help is viewed by these individuals as a sign of weakness. This myth could not be further from reality. One could argue that knowing your own limitations and continuing to stretch those boundaries without breaking yourself; truly forms an “A” player. This also extends to managers, whose job has evolved from “doing” to “managing doers”. You are managing the talent assigned to your department; understanding the function each of your direct reports performs, delegating job assignments/tasks, holding direct reports accountable, and stretching your talent to maximize your departments output without breaking them. If you are successful in these managing aspects, you are the cream of the crop or the top 10% for that position. Ask for help, teamwork is what makes World Class companies.
Emotional Bank Account
March 18th, 2010
In every organization there is a talent pool of highly skilled and highly motivated employees; the size of that pool (big or small) has a direct impact on the success of that organization. I find it interesting that we are quick to point out errors and problems; however often slow to offer praise. Stephen Covey gave the best illustration of this concept of having an equal balance between deposits and withdrawals; as he described the emotional bank account. Too many withdrawals without deposits will overdraw the emotional bank account; leaving the employee with nothing left to give. Instead of focusing on the negative or the problems; take a little time to smell the roses and realize that not everything is bad. Don’t overdraw your emotional bank account or anyone around you. Correction is a necessary component to change; however we should step up and be faster to tell someone when they are doing a good job. Positive words reinforce, encourage and motivate.
Happy 71 Years BCI!
March 17th, 2010At 71 years of age, BCI still resides in Bremen, IN. Over the years BCI has gone through many changes as we all do. From no shirts and pitch-forking coke to the cupola to CNC grinders and painted assembled parts to our customers. All of these changes have come and gone with great team members through-out the years. BCI has always taken care of itself to prepare for the future to ensure a long life and just not a place of employment but a family style organization to help cast everyone and everything we touch into a valuable and responsible individual. It is crucial for everyone to be a team member and a active citizen within our communities. We do this under our core values followed up with the statement that we push down to everyone that “Status Quo Sucks”! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BCI!!!!!
Where the rubber meets the road
March 13th, 2010
Where the rubber meets the road, is the moment of truth. It really doesn’t matter what you say or how you do it; results are what really count. Team BCI has embraced this “Status Quo Sucks” (SQS) culture over the last couple of years to bring Bremen Castings to new heights of performance and achievement. We have weathered this economic recession like we were playing for the Gold medal at the Olympics; building endurance, strength and teamwork.
Today, we are accomplishing tasks that would have been difficult, if not impossible just a few short years ago. Team members are working hardly and smarter than any other time in their tenure. New records are being set and then broken daily. The bar keeps raising; Team BCI reaches and then exceeds the bar. We can take pride in our accomplishments; however we will not take it for granted, nor lose sight of our mission. Our core values define us and SQS has become a way of life.
