Monthly Archives: September 2018

How to use a bulldozer

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Operators at times have a hard time while operating heavy equipment. They feel that while they are used to one particular type of machine when they are given to work on an equipment that has new configuration it takes time for them to understand those configurations and get their hands used to the system. They also have to understand the various features and their importance that is installed in a machine making the process more complicated. However once they are used to the system and they understand the features well they do not see much problem in using it. Using a bulldozer in particular has been found to be tougher amongst operators as compared to any other form of heavy equipment. The most common issue encountered by many operators is with steering the machine in the right direction. They sort of tend to lose their control while maneuvering the machine which leads to casualties and losses.

There has to be a systematic way to use a bulldozer and that is discussed as follows:-

Enter the cabin with a calm mind:-

We have enough problems to deal with in our day to day lives but we can’t carry the load of those problems with us wherever we go and especially when it is about going to work you simply can’t carry it there. You have to leave all your worries and hassles right before you enter the workplace and this stands right for the operator as well. You should not enter the cabin if you are tensed or worried about anything. You had a quarrel at home or an argument with your boss. It is better that you take some time doing nothing and clam your mind. You should not work on a bulldozer while you are angry or running through emotions. It can turn out into a bigger mess. Have a chat with your friend, check out a funny video on YouTube and once you feel that you are fresh and ready to work, get inside the cabin.

Have good control on the paddle and the brakes:-

Keep your legs strong while you are using a bulldozer. You use your legs to increase or decrease the speed of the machine as well as when you apply brakes on it. Your legs should not be shaky while you are using the bulldozer. Ideally, the paddle of the bulldozer is located just behind the brake. This means that you should be well trained and have practiced enough before using the mechanisms.

Use joystick to steer the machine as well as to use the blades:-

Joysticks are quite a helpful device as long as you know how to use them. It can be used to steer the machine and also used to move the blades in the right direction. The blades of the bulldozer are used to shove the mud to give a plain surface. An operator who has loads of experience in using joysticks to move the blades can do the work the right way at the first time. Rest may take some time to master the work.

Look for promotions in the construction business

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

We never want to work in the same position as it gets a little monotonous doing the same work every day and over and over again. We do not work only to get money at the end of the week but we also work to get a sense of satisfaction from what we do and this is what drives us ahead in life. Moreover one should never make a comfort zone and live in it. That can be dangerous especially when it comes to forming a great career. Great careers are never achieved by living in the comfort zone. One needs to get out of it and strive hard to achieve something in life. Promotions are given to only those who want to do things differently and have the ability to work in an environment which is not so friendly. This is what most entrepreneurs look for in an employee. They want people who can take up challenges in life and can convert every calamity into an opportunity.

Promotion can bring a rise in your salary:-

There are 2 ways to bring a rise in your salary. The first is not an advisable one but still worthy in few scenarios and it is to leave your current company and move to the next one in search of better package. The second one sounds to be more logical which is to work hard and take a raise in your levels. Whenever you get a promotion, your package is increased. Other than the annual appraisal that happens in most of the construction companies, any hike due to a rise in the position is phenomenal. This is what your aim should be when you join a company. Try to know the different levels of promotion and how hard you have to work to get to the place you want to see yourself.

You are known and respected because of your work:-

If you perform and deliver high end results, you will be known amongst the various levels of management. Once that is done they can pitch in for you when asked about your performance and will give positive feedback. Many companies follow the tradition of checking with various departments about the performance of an individual before promoting him to the next level. Only if they get positive responses from basically all the levels of management, they go ahead with the promotion. Once you are known and you continue to carry the good work, you will be also respected for it. As and when you attain seniority in the company, the respect that you have amongst the masses will only grow.

Generating a good rapport with almost everybody in the company:-

Promotions are also given to a person who is a team’s man. If you are a person who can gel up well with your team members and with members of other teams, you are gaining popularity. Good rapport always comes handy during good and bad phases on life. So always maintain a good rapport with almost everybody and ensure that people know you for good reasons. This will help you to climb the ladder quickly than ever.

How to evaluate the performance of your employees

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

It has been always difficult to evaluate the performance of an individual who is working in your company or organization. You may have certain expectation from him and if at all you find the person to be anywhere short in fulfilling those expectations then you presumably mark him down in that parameter. However, he may have been exceptional in all other activities and therefore perhaps do not deserve the score. Therefore while you evaluate a person you should take into consideration his overall performance and not single out instances where he was not able to fare well. it actually does not go well with anybody who have been working from the core of his heart and then in the end gets to know that he is marked down on one such instance which was in no way crucial or have caused any harm to the prospects of the organization.

In the construction business where you have a lot of men working for you, it becomes tougher to evaluate the performance of every individual. It is just impossible to keep a track of the performance of all the employees and then rate them. This is why you got to create a system where you can easily track the performance of your employees and can justify the scores that you give to them. Supervisors should stringently monitor the performance of the employees in their respective teams and present the report to their managers. The managers in turn will approve the ratings and will decide the rise in pay of the employee.

Punctuality should be a crucial check:-

All the employees in the company should adhere to their respective shift timings and late comers should be tolerated. The message should go loud and clear to all the employees in the company. Construction workers who arrive late at the site can eventually become the reason for delaying the work. Any delay will then have to compensate by overtime which means the company then needs to pay its employees more for allowing them to work for extra hours for the fault of few guys who had arrived late at the site. The company should take this very seriously and must mark down the latecomers during their evaluation.

Their overall behavior and willingness to work:-

Employees who have worked hard for the success of the company should be rewarded and it is the onus of the supervisors to pluck out people who have made commendable contribution. The supervisors should keep a close watch on the employees and check who is willing to work harder. Guys who have the quest to learn more about the business are the ones who should be given more opportunities and also should be given good ratings during evaluation. The behavior of the employee also plays a crucial role while assessing his performance. One should check how good the person is in bonding with his team and the kind of rapport he shares with other teammates. Employees possessing these qualities should be rated more than others.