January 19th, 2012
Certain phrases used by some employees can really irritate true leaders. The most popular phrase, “it is not fair”. A fair is a carnival with rides, not a term that belongs in the business world. How about, “it is not my job”. A job is whatever it takes; there is no black and white definition of your job. Lastly, “I have not been given the authority”. The greatest leaders in history were never given the authority; they actually used their influence to impact change.
These phrases are really whiney excuses for not getting it done. In organizations that do not want to suck, you really got to get it done and there is always more than one way to skin a cat. Exercise your influence, rise to the occasion and impact real change in your organization. If what you try at first does not work, try another approach. You will find it much easier to get it done, than to whine about all the reasons you cannot get it done.
- Carol Senour
Tags: Bremen Castings, status quo sucks, Team BCI
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January 6th, 2012
Each day should be a stretch to improve ourselves, through a daily challenge of everything that surrounds us. It is interesting that a “New Year” often brings about a desire to change; but the sentiment is lost after the New Year starts and often goals to improve fade before January ends. Why is it easier to complain about all the circumstances around us and all the people we work with; instead of seeking meaningful change for our own sake? Do we desire to be part of the problem or part of the solution? Change can drag you kicking and screaming or you can embrace it as part of your daily life. We were not created perfect, so why would we not want to improve ourselves and the environment around us. I challenge each of you to look into yourself and identify opportunities for improvements. Identify things in your environment that, if you changed, would make your life easier or more productive. Start making small subtle changes and by year’s end; you will see a happier, more productive and prosperous you. And I bet your family and co-workers will notice the new improved you!
Tags: Bremen Castings, SQS, status quo sucks
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August 31st, 2011
Today is the end of chapter 11 for Dan Hirsch but the begging of chapter 12! Aug 31st will go down as the day that Dan retired but became a full time husband, dad, grandpa and friend. Dan Hirsch is BCI’s Dir of Operations since November 11th, 2005, see Dan has been a foundrymen his hole life. Dan has given unbelievable hours, sweat and dedication to every company he has worked for. When BCI joined with Dan in 2005 the potential was not know at that time. Today we celebrate the accomplishments that Dan and Team BCI have reached together, actually his retirement is a daily celebration for all the hard work that this foundrymen has given to our industry. There will be Danisms said everyday at BCI that he has left behind in his bag of consistency and money making ways. The list of Dan’s accomplishments are very large and too much to put into one chapter, but BCI is still here today not because of a single task or capital project but because of Dan’s leadership and cooperation with the rest of the team. Dan knows that Status Quo Sucks and leads that way everyday. Team BCI wishes the best of luck to Dan Hirsch and his family as September 1st starts chapter 12 in the Book of DAN!
Tags: BCI, Bremen, Bremen Castings, Foundry, Indiana, Machining, retirement, SQS, Status Quo, status quo sucks
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August 17th, 2011
The definition of workplace insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Not being happy with your results leads to one of two choices; change your circumstances or look inside yourself and change what you are doing. Most interesting is that employees often choose the easier of the two approaches; change their circumstances and end up with the same or similar results. Our human nature finds it way too hard to look internally at oneself and we still expect different results from our efforts.
Tags: Bremen Castings, SQS, status quo sucks
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July 6th, 2011
Yesterday the Barry O admin had their daily press conference. They have put the American citizens on notice that the huge spending spree that our Government has been on for years is our problem. Taxes will be raised for all in one way or another
Have we already not been paying our share to the government? Are you not already double or even triple taxed at times? Our elected officials are such status quo and they do suck! You Mr elected official (Federal/local) is about time you start making some hard choices and stop spending our money in a child like way. You all need to start living with in your means. We elect you to look out for us.
Dont you dare touch all of our hard earned money and spend it like a 10 year old. Status Quo Sucks!!!!!!
Tags: Americans, BCI, Congress, government, Obama, Sacrifice, SQS, Status Quo, tax
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May 19th, 2011
Your attitude is the single biggest predictor in your success or failure at any job. Employees fail to realize that their attitude is a picture to the outside world. You can choose to let your problems sour your attitude; or you can turn your problems into opportunities. You can choose to complain; or you can realize the complaining solves nothing and correct the issue. You can associate with negative people that pull you down; or you can surround yourself with positive people that make you feel better about yourself. If your attitude sucks, suck it up and commit to change your attitude or remove yourself from the environment. What picture do you want the outside world seeing of you?
- Carol Senour
Tags: BCI, Bremen Castings, Bremen Foundry, SQS, teamwork
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March 18th, 2011
Email is a wonderful tool for communicating; however we need to remember a little email etiquette. As I receive emails or am simply copied as an FYI, I have been disappointed to see the lack of professionalism given to the written word in the workplace. Here are a few rules on emails; (1) First and foremost you have to remember that whatever you write in an email will exist some place forever; would you want what you write published in the newspaper or repeated on the 6:00 PM news? (2) Always treat others with respect both in writing and face-to-face. This includes times that you may be extremely upset or frustrated with that individual. (3) Emails in all capital letters are considered to be cursing at the recipient, never send an email in all caps. You can put emphasis on one word by putting that word in all caps; however not the entire email. (4) Meaning can be lost in the translation of an email by the recipient, so some conversations require you pick up the phone. (5) We are all bombarded with emails on a daily basis, so don’t assume someone has read your email – follow up. It all boils down to using good judgment. – Carol Senour
Tags: BCI, Bremen Foundry
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March 10th, 2011
In a manufacturing organization, you have to maximize your revenue maker. Once you cover your total cost, every additional part that you run goes to the bottom line. Every available resource needs to be utilized to acquired increasing amounts of production. Indirect labor is a necessary evil; in that there are jobs that need to get done within the organization that cannot afford you pulling a direct labor away from production (revenue). At Bremen Castings, if we aren’t making cores, making molds, pouring iron, grinding or cutting chips in the machine shop; there is no revenue to cover the cost to operate the plant or pay the indirect labor. Our focus is on machine uptime, cutting the waste and looking for continuous improvement opportunities. Status Quo Sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Carol Senour
Tags: BCI, Bremen Castings, Bremen Foundry, Bremen Machining, SQS, status quo sucks
Posted in Manufacturing | No Comments »
February 16th, 2011
You have met the select few employees that find it necessary to argue about everything. The intent of what you are trying to implement, change or improve does not matter; they find it necessary to argue from their point of view. Often, it is the art of arguing that brings about the best decisions and a welcomed process within the organization. Having said that however; arguing just to be arguing is exhausting. These argumentative daily distractions are a drain on the very limited resources available in an organization. Hard-wired to react to the stimuli and with tunnel vision, they truly believe they are the biggest supporter of the change. While, I agree that they are often your better employees; they come across as being unsupportive of any change. Status Quo Sucks (SQS).
Carol Senour
Tags: BCI, Bremen Castings, SQS, status quo sucks
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January 26th, 2011
Last week, I received an email update from LinkedIn, showing me how many of my connections have changed jobs in 2010. Now January is showing an uptick in employment movement, not seen in the last 2-year recession. What truly amazes me is that applicants think the grass is always greener someplace else. However, there are always pro’s and con’s, pluses and minus’, good and bad. Reality is that the grass is never greener someplace else, it is just different.
Tags: Bremen Castings, status quo sucks, Team BCI
Posted in General | 1 Comment »
January 20th, 2011
Today the national avg of gas is around $3.11. From my perspective I have taken the stance that gas will be at $4.10 + at the 4th of July time. I have been saying this for two months now. Some shrug their shoulders, some disagree, and some just say “That ain’t right”.
Well there is not a lot we can all do but Bary O better put his foot down and get his posse aligned and have some meetings with OPEC. It’s a fact that OPEC can not survive without the USA but no one is aware of how far it can be pushed. With these higher prices it will not be long where manufacturing, retail, car dealers etc, etc start modifying their business plans and operations. I do nor think certain media groups and Barry O is taking this potential nightmare very serious. For God sakes, you are the President of the United States Barry O!!!
Tags: BCI, Bremen, Bremen Castings, gas, Manufacturing, oil
Posted in Manufacturing | No Comments »
January 2nd, 2011
Going old school in business is out like the words “BFF”, “Live life to it’s fullest”, “I am just sayin”, “The American people”, and my favorite to be gone is “FAIL”! These words are gone just like doing business the old school way. If you or your company want to remain in the “Status Quo Sucks” category for 2011 keep on doing what you did over the last 20yrs. Not saying the business practices of the past were bad they just don’t fit into today’s world of successful business. Everyday with technology we are all changing at a faster pace and everything must also change with it. You all don’t have to like it but I would highly recommend you go with the flow on this one unless you plan on isolating yourself from the rest of the world on a island somewhere. Some of the ideas might be far fetched and out there to you, but the new crew of working force members coming into the business society don’t think so. So next time your customer or work force ask a favor, question or has a demand you better think before answering; Do I want their business? Do I want them on my team? Just remember Status Quo Sucks and your customers will think you suck with those old school ways!
Tags: 2011, BCI, BFF, Bremen Castings, custoomers, Fail, Live Life to its fullest, SQS, status quo sucks
Posted in Manufacturing | 1 Comment »
January 2nd, 2011
Sitting here today, I am pondering what happened to 2010. Was it a marathon? How did we finish? Now that the shock is over, it is time to reflect on what was accomplished in 2010 and what should have been accomplished. In all likelihood, 2011 was go by just as quickly. So we need a plan for all that we desire to accomplish in writing; work related, professional and personal goals. There is a greater likelihood of accomplishing the task, if you write it down and refer back to it throughout the year. Here’s to 2011, may we all finish the marathon and set new records.
Carol Senour
Tags: BCI, Bremen Castings, Bremen Foundry
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December 25th, 2010
In the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, we are often far too busy to enjoy the fruits of our labor. For our BCI family, this year has been especially busy and shows no promise of slowing down in the near future as capacity in the United States shrinks. Christmas is a the season that reminds us to slow down, remember the true meaning of “Christmas” and cherish the precious moments with those closest to our hearts. Around here we say “Merry Christmas”; so on behalf of the entire BCI family we wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.
Carol Senour
Tags: BCI, Bremen Castings, Bremen Foundry, Team BCI
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December 22nd, 2010
As I read the letter in the voice of the people (Dec, 14) about how rich people are not deserving of a tax break because they pay more for a meal than this person paid for groceries in a week and they own yachts, I thought how disgusting. Why would any individual not be deserving of a tax break? Would the individuals be thinking this because they are not content with their plight in life so they have a feeling of discontent with regard to another’s advantages, success, possessions, etc.?
Of course that would mean they would be envious of the rich. Yes everyone is born equal; however, we all know unequal circumstances deal people different plights. So, a rich person is undeserving of a tax break because he took risks, he is better educated, he is in a high-paying skill level position and I am not. We should not begrudge any man for any reason including his income level. Yes, he should pay a higher amount of the tax burden simply because he can, but not because he deserves to. I have never worked for a poor man. In fact, I hope I make whomever I work for filthy rich
Dan Hirsch, Mishawak
Posted in General, Manufacturing | No Comments »
