Oh The Things We Had To Do

Yesterday's post included the "Lean Thinking" idea of using idle time to make improvements. It reminded me a situation many, many years ago. Long before I became an executive and an educator. During the several years I spent between high school and college working in a machine shop.

I was trained to do a blue collar job. I did it well and, like most others in the shop, made a good pay by way of a piecework incentive system. Then business slowed down. Rumors of layoff started. Near the bottom of the seniority list, I was worried. But my boss had other ideas.

Rather than a layoff, he decided to clean and organize our facility. It was badly needed, would keep several of us employed, and would guarantee the company wouldn't lose its investment in our skills. If we were laid off, of course, we might find other employment. While the company could certainly hire someone else to do our jobs, it would still incur all the costs of recruiting, hiring and training. For our part, we welcomed the opportunity. Yes, we would make less money. But day rate was about 90% of piecework, and we still had a job.

Oh the things we did. We cleaned lighting fixtures that probably had never been cleaned since the day they were installed. We removed and sold for scrap the darnedest collection of frames, pulleys, wheels and other paraphernalia from the days the factory was powered by a central steam engine (long since removed). We cleaned out junk from back rooms and even from behind the boiler. Can you imagine the grime that collects on things placed behind a boiler? We created storage areas. Cleaned windows. Thoroughly drained and cleaned wash tanks. After many weeks the facility was "standing tall" and "looking good."

Then the bad news. Having run out of things for us to do, the boss gave us a layoff. As he did, though, he suggested we not hurry to seek other employment. He forecast that business would pickup in just a few weeks and, if so, we would be recalled. He advised patience and was sorry that he didn't have a few more weeks of "projects" to keep us busy. But he did let it be known that he wanted all of us back.

Yes we did go back. Just a few weeks later. And I don't think any of us ever forgot the unspoken message of how much he valued us as employees.

About me: Dan Pelley's career experiences range from the shipping room to the boardroom and the college classroom. He has worked in companies as diverse as metal stamping, foundries, pharmaceuticals, computers and electronic components, hospitals, nursing homes, motor carriers, distribution, retailers, social services, government, quasi-government agencies, a major art museum and an airline. He shares his experiences through programs and seminars for companies in New England and through this blog.

Copyright © 2009 Daniel W. Pelley
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