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Even before the
birth of computers and the introduction of a seemingly endless
array of high-tech controls, success depended as much on your
sales and negotiating skills as on how deep a bite your bucket
took, so in one sense what we're seeing happen to the
industry is nothing new–only different and maybe a little
more treacherous to the unwary.
In my previous
Editor's Comments (2003 Buyers Guide issue) I spoke of
my experience at ConExpo Con/Agg 2002, in which it became
clear to me that what has for years been a very conservative
industry is now caught up in a sea of change. For certain
the machines themselves are visible proof–the tip of
the iceberg of a phenomenon that is nothing less than a runaway
revolution in the way the construction business will proceed
in the foreseeable future. For decades, the introduction of
new equipment meant "bigger" or "stronger"
or "faster" expressed in units of size, power, or
performance. While the improvements were real, they were for
the most part iterative–in effect "make-overs"
from the past. Not so today.
Coming down the
line today are machines that might look pretty much the same
as their predecessors but are actually quite distinct. Most
of these machines are called upon to deliver little more than
a mere fraction of their true capabilities. For example, those
electrohydraulic joysticks that used to wring gales of laughter
from seasoned operators are not only here (and here to stay),
but they also hold the potential for effortlessly delivering
feats of power, control, sensitivity, and complexity unmatched
by equipment on which the "new" has barely faded.
The unseen element here, of course, is the growing list of
high-tech systems–laser, GPS, IR, and remote-sensing
instruments–clamoring to pair up with digitally actuated
control systems that are tailor-made for the marriage. So
where's the problem?
The most important
challenges we face–contractors and operators alike–are
(1) getting on top of momentous changes that have already
taken place in the industry and (2) then fighting to stay
there because now that the floodgates are open, the pace of
change is bound to accelerate, not slacken. What this means
for most of us is making sure we're pointed in the direction
technology is heading and then looking for opportunities to
take advantage of programs designed to allow us, our managers
and supervisors, and ultimately our operators to make optimum
use of these advances. This is where education and training
come in.
Chances are you
wouldn't go out and buy your son a full-blown PC with
all the bells and whistles and be content to watch him spend
endless hours playing "Solitaire" on it, so why
would you accept the same performance from one of your operators
because he doesn't know how to take advantage of your
equipment's full capabilities? Many of us got our knowledge
hands-on at the School of Hard Knocks–and in some respects
that's still the best way–but not all of our knowledge,
especially when you're talking about operating a machine
capable of putting $500/hr. in your pocket and settling for
half that for the first several weeks because your operators
don't fully understand what it can do or how to take
advantage of its automated features.
You might not want
to spend the time and money on training for your supervisors
and operators–in fact, you might feel their time would
be better spent moving dirt rather than developing new skills
for accomplishing tasks that you knew backward and forward
before you got out of grade school–but before you commit
to that line of thought, make sure your people are as savvy
and capable as you are … or were.
While I can't
tell you that "the old way" is wrong, I can promise
you there are among your competitors those who are going to
try for every little bit of advantage they can, whether its
in the machinery, operator skills, or handling the paperwork.
Face it: If their estimators can dig into their computer screens
and find ways to have their highly trained operators on high-production
machines complete a job in 45 days while you're sitting
there hoping on 60, you're going to need more than a
wonderful résumé and a big smile to stay competitive.
Far and away, most
questions we receive from our readers deal with training and
education. "Where can I find out about blade-control
laser systems?" or "Are there schools that will
send trainers to my site to do some instruction?" are
typical queries. Since I found myself getting almost as frustrated
in not being able to provide answers as were the people doing
the asking, I decided it was time to do something about it.
So starting with our September/October issue, we will present
a four-part series on training that I'm positive will
knock your socks off.
Send
John an Email
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