Spending too much time on reflection is not good.
The global economy was hit very hard this year and some would say the kind of heights that greed and growth reached we so imbalanced to the natural order that is was inevitable.
The worse for me is that I am not convinced that the global financial and banking industry have learned much from the pain and devastation we as individuals have had to endure from the fallout. Men and women losing jobs, life savings...anxiety, fear, the pain in general has been terrible.
On an individual basis...we can do so much for ourselves. We can live more wholesome lives, spending money on unecessaries is not ever going to satisfy the soul. Grow some of your own vegetables, herbs...encourage your children to take responsibility for their choices. Go walking, camping take inexpensive options. Eat at home, your children learn from our example. Eat healthy food...everything small thing we do can and does make a difference.
Take a little time to smell the grass, not that I am suggesting you get on your hands and knees on your front lawn every morning before heading off to work...but you get the message. I hope!
We are individual's, we need to remember this...our lives are guided and journeys walked by our choices. If it is not happening for us ask yourself why...self responsibility in my view is essential. We blame others, make excuses about our own failures...
I have a huge passion for my life...I adore it.
Is it easy, has it been a given? Absolutely not! No, No, No.
But, there is no day that passes by when I don't take 5 mins of each day..and ponder if I could have done things a little better...more compassion, more thought, worked smater.
Self improvement works incessently throughout my daily life...as it does in everything I do. My job, my family and my health. Not always in the same order.
Wow, how fortunate I am...Bless you all this Christmas holiday.
Barbara
Monday, 21 December 2009
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Balance in Business - Greed is a disease...
When we first started this business...in 1972/1975 software was an infant. The business structures adopted by the industry for example policy on sales, support, development etc were carried over from the traditional set practices of the day.
We were no different to any other company, we sold the system with an additional support fee and all development requests were a chargeable item. This was for Synchro an out dated and in many respects unfair system.
Those companies, as a general rule were large and extremely healthy paid the high prices ...and therefore had the great advantages the system offered.
For years we were not comfortable with this...it was quite clear a large divide lay in between those that could and those that could not afford the system!
Knowing that every company within the industry would benefit substantially was really frustrating for us.
Just as the personal computer market has grown beyond recognition...we want the same for the Cast Metal Manufacturer. Nothing should stand in the way of a company utilizing a specific system.
So, five years ago we got rid of the up front fee, cost per module, extra for support and any development; great for the bottom line and company profit margins but never the less we wanted to change it.
How happy were we to re align our company to mirror the ethics and core morals of the team, Synchro. We went even further, we do not charge for travelling time, we make no additional costs on top of hotels or other expenses. If a company we are visiting want to pick us up and drop a member of the team back to the hotel...we are more than happy to oblige. Fundamentally I am saying where we can we do what ever is possible to save money for our customers...
On global scale greed is like a virus...it is so contagious and it takes a great deal of courage to say 'We don't want to be part of this, we carve our own structure that is totally centred on our customer and those who join us in the future'
I feel incredibly proud of this company...our customers and a unique team. In fact I had a conversation with our Implementation Manager a few days ago and he said as a company we are driven not by cash but by a desire to do the best for our customers...and that is what we are about.
Plain and simple.
Thank you for your time if you have taken the trouble to read this BLOG
Barbara Nolan - Collins x
We were no different to any other company, we sold the system with an additional support fee and all development requests were a chargeable item. This was for Synchro an out dated and in many respects unfair system.
Those companies, as a general rule were large and extremely healthy paid the high prices ...and therefore had the great advantages the system offered.
For years we were not comfortable with this...it was quite clear a large divide lay in between those that could and those that could not afford the system!
Knowing that every company within the industry would benefit substantially was really frustrating for us.
Just as the personal computer market has grown beyond recognition...we want the same for the Cast Metal Manufacturer. Nothing should stand in the way of a company utilizing a specific system.
So, five years ago we got rid of the up front fee, cost per module, extra for support and any development; great for the bottom line and company profit margins but never the less we wanted to change it.
How happy were we to re align our company to mirror the ethics and core morals of the team, Synchro. We went even further, we do not charge for travelling time, we make no additional costs on top of hotels or other expenses. If a company we are visiting want to pick us up and drop a member of the team back to the hotel...we are more than happy to oblige. Fundamentally I am saying where we can we do what ever is possible to save money for our customers...
On global scale greed is like a virus...it is so contagious and it takes a great deal of courage to say 'We don't want to be part of this, we carve our own structure that is totally centred on our customer and those who join us in the future'
I feel incredibly proud of this company...our customers and a unique team. In fact I had a conversation with our Implementation Manager a few days ago and he said as a company we are driven not by cash but by a desire to do the best for our customers...and that is what we are about.
Plain and simple.
Thank you for your time if you have taken the trouble to read this BLOG
Barbara Nolan - Collins x
Monday, 28 September 2009
New Family member - Woof....Libby is her name
She is now 5 and half months old...and full of mischief except when she is asleep and you forgive her for everything!
We have done quite well with her. We watch Caesar 'The American Dog Whisperer' who is a dog genius. Or rather he understands dogs AND is now a psychologist as it appears that most dog issues are actually born from the owner and their behaviour...!
Anyway we are delighted with her.
Name is Libby from Liberty as we had her on the 4th July '09
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
July and September - Costing & Estimating article in Modern Casting
http://www.synchro32.com/editorials/costing_estimating[1].pdf
You have to read this article...anyone in costing and estimating or just running the business...*
I have been busy working on the Australian exhibition...design and all the work around the organization required to have a problem free, professional and off course successful show.
We are also in New Zealand for two smaller demonstrations, Auckland and Christchurch. Although smaller, never the less it is essential that all the detail is worked through for a professional presentation. These two events will be a little more personal and just as rewarding for Chris Collins MD. He really enjoys talking to people in our industry, and I don't mean software because we are in the Cast Metal Industry.
Then onto Brazil...which is a huge country. Our office is getting busier and busier.
The Spainish office is almost set up...so it has been a very busy month.
We have also undertaken four quite lenghty articles written on various subjects all centered around the Cast Metal Industry; these take quite alot of consideration and planning, the Modern Casting USA journal is a 3,000 word article on Costing & Estimating.
Worth reading: -
www.synchro32.com/editorials/costing_estimating[1].pdf
You have to read this article...anyone in costing and estimating or just running the business...*
I have been busy working on the Australian exhibition...design and all the work around the organization required to have a problem free, professional and off course successful show.
We are also in New Zealand for two smaller demonstrations, Auckland and Christchurch. Although smaller, never the less it is essential that all the detail is worked through for a professional presentation. These two events will be a little more personal and just as rewarding for Chris Collins MD. He really enjoys talking to people in our industry, and I don't mean software because we are in the Cast Metal Industry.
Then onto Brazil...which is a huge country. Our office is getting busier and busier.
The Spainish office is almost set up...so it has been a very busy month.
We have also undertaken four quite lenghty articles written on various subjects all centered around the Cast Metal Industry; these take quite alot of consideration and planning, the Modern Casting USA journal is a 3,000 word article on Costing & Estimating.
Worth reading: -
www.synchro32.com/editorials/costing_estimating[1].pdf
Friday, 31 July 2009
'Me old Pop'
Here is my Dad.
A good photograph sent to me by his dearest friend and partner Clare. We are very alike in character. He always loved his work...and so do I. We have a great deal in common, sometimes a little too much although now I am older...we get on really well. A bit like a mirror image of each other...!
Eeek...said Felix the cat, or not!
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Jeremy Clarkson...
You either love or hate him. As I have a fondness for constrained rebellion, I am rather fond of his outspoken views.
From the The Sunday Times 28th June...
Glasonbury 21st July ‘09
Apparently 35,000 poor souls got up in the middle of the night and were dragged by their beliefs and their little Citoens to a field in Wiltshire where they were forced by custom to mark the disappontingly cloudy dawn by chanting and pretending to be King Aurthur. I have every sympathy with these people and I wish them well. I like hippies in the world. They bring a richness and a calm, and while they like to wear hoods, they do not beat up old ladies.
And that brings me to another point. What in the name of whatever God you hold dear were the police doing using an unmanned spy drone to fly around, taking pictures of these people as they swayed gently in stillness of morning?
On the crime-o-meter, Johnny, Johhny Pop'es merry little gang of batchelors is far more likely to be involved in serious wrong doing than the dizzy driud bird with flowers in her hair.
I can see why the army might need a spy drone in Afghanistan. But how on earth could the Wiltshire constabulary justify the purchase of such a thing? To catch crop circlists? It's the most absurd thing I have ever heard.
The fact is despite the massive, and extremly costly, operation the police made 37 arrests, mostly for minor public order offences. That is one in a thousand...or thereabouts.
I am not suggesting that the police ignore large gatherings of people. But I simply cannot understand why such large numbers were used to monitor a group of people who, by their very nature , pose about as much threat to the world as a flock of budgeriagars. They hum. They make love to one another. They speak welsh. And they go home.
My comments
And there is Jezza's delighful insight for another week. I for one totally agree with him. But who am I...just a hardworking tax payer. At least I don't live in Wiltshire, that would been really upset me. Let’s not mention our rates....
Thursday, 2 July 2009
Lemons...as big as your fist.
The lemon cut in half is the largest I have ever seen...
The other smaller one is just as a comparison of size. As I juice many lemons, every morning a fresh lemon in a pint of water is the start to my day...I consider this to be the lemoniest of lemons!
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Busy, busy...
We are extremley busy. The recession has had little effect to date on the amount of work and systems we are installing.
It is a difficult message to convey...the system is inexpensive quite simply because it has always been our intention to support and provide to the cast metal industry 'the very best for the lowest cost.'
The skill base required to design and develop a complete and SPECIFIC cast metal system is a huge responsibility and we at Synchro have spent decades doing just that.
There are ERP systems which quite literally cost 10,000 and more and the perception is the more the cost the better the system. NOT SO!
We have two competitors, Synchro is by far the easier and more substantial. Both competitors are substantially more expensive, and modularized. Synchro is neither...
We are intent on providing to the industry the very best and the lowest cost. Not such a common policy in this very greed orientated world we inhabit.
To conclude it is a harder message than you would think to communicate.
It is a difficult message to convey...the system is inexpensive quite simply because it has always been our intention to support and provide to the cast metal industry 'the very best for the lowest cost.'
The skill base required to design and develop a complete and SPECIFIC cast metal system is a huge responsibility and we at Synchro have spent decades doing just that.
There are ERP systems which quite literally cost 10,000 and more and the perception is the more the cost the better the system. NOT SO!
We have two competitors, Synchro is by far the easier and more substantial. Both competitors are substantially more expensive, and modularized. Synchro is neither...
We are intent on providing to the industry the very best and the lowest cost. Not such a common policy in this very greed orientated world we inhabit.
To conclude it is a harder message than you would think to communicate.
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Post Card from Shane attending the exhibition 113th Metal casting Congress Las Vegas
Hi Buddy,
We recieved your post card here in the UK office, today.
Hope you enjoyed the extra days you took off, taking in the air of Vegas.
They have the most amazing drainage system to prevent flooding. I once saw a documentary on the massive investement needed to stop the flash floods they have, periodically when it rains.
Anyway thanks
B
We recieved your post card here in the UK office, today.
Hope you enjoyed the extra days you took off, taking in the air of Vegas.
They have the most amazing drainage system to prevent flooding. I once saw a documentary on the massive investement needed to stop the flash floods they have, periodically when it rains.
Anyway thanks
B
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Customers, Companies and how we do it differently.
Successful companies recognise this simple statement. It runs throughout every aspect of their business. At Synchro we are no different. Going the extra mile is a bit worn out...if you do not practice what you preach.
At the core of our company ethos is our unrelenting journey to provide the Cast Metal Industry with the best possible software, at least cost with a support service which beats every single technical service you have ever had to use.
We have not felt the economic down turn...in fact we are busier with each successive year. We have taken on more staff as a result of the growing awareness that Specific Systems provide a much better
hand in glove fit than generic ERP...and manufacturing control systems.
Companies who run and use a specific system are in a much stronger position to ride a recession. Systems make for efficiency, excellent central communication, important traceability and strong quality standards...the list is endless. Their customers rely on these high standards and you can bet the end product is sold by a company or companies who are highly professional within their market sector. There is not a single manufacturer who would not benefit from the use of a system and in fact many smaller companies, more than you would think do run a specific system. They are small and flexible and profitable...in very close contact with the customers and their needs. We deal with many of the best manufacturers in this country...and boy do they know their stuff. We are proud to work alongside them in an ever changing market environment in search of better and better standards.
The Big Companies are often very slow to make progress...internal politics become too much part of the everyday issues, getting in the way of doing good business. Responsibility is handed around in a 'pass the parcel' game. Employees too scared to shout out and say what they think. In this environment nothing new or innovative ever takes place. Same old same old...until those in high places leave and are replaced with a less authoritative management style. Guidance is essential... but an environment where fear is all pervasive is a long death sentence for a company. Employees do not want to go to work...cannot wait for the end of the day syndrome! How much benefit is there for The Company in this behaviour? Passion and energy are an essential element to progress.
A company is a tribe of people. We have the Synchro tribe...if I thought anyone of our tribe were fearful of expressing opinion or thought. I would consider we were failing and we are not in business to fail!
We love to work...and we want to do the utmost for Our Customer...
Successful companies recognise this simple statement. It runs throughout every aspect of their business. At Synchro we are no different. Going the extra mile is a bit worn out...if you do not practice what you preach.
At the core of our company ethos is our unrelenting journey to provide the Cast Metal Industry with the best possible software, at least cost with a support service which beats every single technical service you have ever had to use.
We have not felt the economic down turn...in fact we are busier with each successive year. We have taken on more staff as a result of the growing awareness that Specific Systems provide a much better
hand in glove fit than generic ERP...and manufacturing control systems.
Companies who run and use a specific system are in a much stronger position to ride a recession. Systems make for efficiency, excellent central communication, important traceability and strong quality standards...the list is endless. Their customers rely on these high standards and you can bet the end product is sold by a company or companies who are highly professional within their market sector. There is not a single manufacturer who would not benefit from the use of a system and in fact many smaller companies, more than you would think do run a specific system. They are small and flexible and profitable...in very close contact with the customers and their needs. We deal with many of the best manufacturers in this country...and boy do they know their stuff. We are proud to work alongside them in an ever changing market environment in search of better and better standards.
The Big Companies are often very slow to make progress...internal politics become too much part of the everyday issues, getting in the way of doing good business. Responsibility is handed around in a 'pass the parcel' game. Employees too scared to shout out and say what they think. In this environment nothing new or innovative ever takes place. Same old same old...until those in high places leave and are replaced with a less authoritative management style. Guidance is essential... but an environment where fear is all pervasive is a long death sentence for a company. Employees do not want to go to work...cannot wait for the end of the day syndrome! How much benefit is there for The Company in this behaviour? Passion and energy are an essential element to progress.
A company is a tribe of people. We have the Synchro tribe...if I thought anyone of our tribe were fearful of expressing opinion or thought. I would consider we were failing and we are not in business to fail!
We love to work...and we want to do the utmost for Our Customer...
Friday, 27 February 2009
Editorial: Snapshot: the impact of recession in the metallurgical & casting sector
This Synchro32 Industry Analysis and editorial appeared in the January/February 2008 issue of the Cast Metal & Diecasting Times. The PDF has been saved as a jpg and if you click on the image you will be able to read the text.
Friday, 9 January 2009
My local photo's
Full length view of the Mawddach estuary... 
The shore... real sea side.
A bit more photography of an area where we live....
More of the same area...Barmouth. The Mawddach estuary
On the sea shore...Barmouth coast. West Wales...
Excellent Start to '09
Happy New Year...to everyone, customers, family, friends and foe.
We are very busy...at work. Lots of interest in Synchro32, advertising to organise, editorials to
agree to and write.
Brazil is doing well.
Kevin in the office out there is exceptionally busy...we have put a great deal of time and commitment into Brazil, it is proving very rewarding.
We have the Synchro32 system also being utilized in one of the largest colleges in Brazil...they have translated the complete system into Potuguese. This will be used in conjuction will their engineering Cast metal courses. I have just written an editorial on this subject of training and the responsibility we all share.
Please read and comment if you have the time. Copy Below. To be published in the
"Foundry Trade Journal International" February issue...09
Responsibility for Training
Synchro32 provides production control and management information systems specifically designed for the Foundry and Cast Metal Industry. The cast metal industry is unique in many areas of general manufacturing, as production control and their system requirements differ considerably. Synchro32 is designed specifically to meet these unique requirements. The complete system is installed and utilized for training at SENAI - Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industria, a large training college in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
SENAI is developing the integration of the Synchro32 system into their Cast Metal Engineering courses, of which there are numerous. Training is no longer ‘Spread Sheet Managed’ as Excel has many limitations. The student will be trained in parallel with this specifically designed system, run by hundreds of foundries and cast metal manufacturers all over the world. This will provide the student with a broad understanding and the significance of utilizing a fully integrated system.
When qualified students enter into the ‘real world’ of working in a manufacturing environment, they have the advantage of being able to influence management by highlighting the major advantages of using specifically designed systems. Commonly in our experience too many companies still run poorly designed spreadsheets or inadequate and fragmented ad hoc software. If the student is fortunate to work with a company running specifically designed and integrated systems such as Synchro32 the advantages for the manufacturer signify little training is required, as the student will be more than proficient in using the software system.
Training through colleges and universities has generally been conducted without students having access to specific production control systems. In fairness, there are so few industry specific systems available, we at Synchro32 are aware of the responsibly we have to make available to these colleges and training facilities our software and expertise. Training students who are fresh, eager, and familiar with the importance of software systems is not a luxury but a necessity. Training organisations still appear to concentrate on the distinct aspect of engineering, leaving the magnitude and use of an integrated system as the sole responsibility of the individual company.
Colleges need to upgrade their courses to include the use of complete integrated specific systems; the training of engineers is an essential for the future of any industry. SENAI in Brazil has recognised this and is going to great effort to incorporate Synchro32 into the syllabus. The long term benefit will be to the Brazilian metal cast industry as a whole. Hundreds of qualified and skilled people will be working in competition with those companies who would not recognise the importance of such systems.
Individually, we must all take responsibility for education and the benefits of progress and innovation within our industry. Talk to local colleges, request change. Doing nothing is not an option. Competition is hot on your heels. In the next ten years ‘survival of the fittest’ will be a mantra recited by those that did!
Interestingly we undertook a survey of all our customers...
Question: How many companies do you talk to about the advantages of an integrated specific system?Response: The common response was “Very few”
Question: Any particular reason why?Response: The system provides such an unquantifiable benefit; we don’t want our competition to use it!
If any colleges or training facilities are interested in Synchro32 as part of educational training...please do not hesitate to talk to us. An educational license is available at no cost and we can assist in providing additional training documentation to assist with course design.
Written by Barbara Nolan - Collins
We are very busy...at work. Lots of interest in Synchro32, advertising to organise, editorials to
agree to and write.
Brazil is doing well.
Kevin in the office out there is exceptionally busy...we have put a great deal of time and commitment into Brazil, it is proving very rewarding.
We have the Synchro32 system also being utilized in one of the largest colleges in Brazil...they have translated the complete system into Potuguese. This will be used in conjuction will their engineering Cast metal courses. I have just written an editorial on this subject of training and the responsibility we all share.
Please read and comment if you have the time. Copy Below. To be published in the
"Foundry Trade Journal International" February issue...09
Responsibility for Training
Synchro32 provides production control and management information systems specifically designed for the Foundry and Cast Metal Industry. The cast metal industry is unique in many areas of general manufacturing, as production control and their system requirements differ considerably. Synchro32 is designed specifically to meet these unique requirements. The complete system is installed and utilized for training at SENAI - Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industria, a large training college in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
SENAI is developing the integration of the Synchro32 system into their Cast Metal Engineering courses, of which there are numerous. Training is no longer ‘Spread Sheet Managed’ as Excel has many limitations. The student will be trained in parallel with this specifically designed system, run by hundreds of foundries and cast metal manufacturers all over the world. This will provide the student with a broad understanding and the significance of utilizing a fully integrated system.
When qualified students enter into the ‘real world’ of working in a manufacturing environment, they have the advantage of being able to influence management by highlighting the major advantages of using specifically designed systems. Commonly in our experience too many companies still run poorly designed spreadsheets or inadequate and fragmented ad hoc software. If the student is fortunate to work with a company running specifically designed and integrated systems such as Synchro32 the advantages for the manufacturer signify little training is required, as the student will be more than proficient in using the software system.
Training through colleges and universities has generally been conducted without students having access to specific production control systems. In fairness, there are so few industry specific systems available, we at Synchro32 are aware of the responsibly we have to make available to these colleges and training facilities our software and expertise. Training students who are fresh, eager, and familiar with the importance of software systems is not a luxury but a necessity. Training organisations still appear to concentrate on the distinct aspect of engineering, leaving the magnitude and use of an integrated system as the sole responsibility of the individual company.
Colleges need to upgrade their courses to include the use of complete integrated specific systems; the training of engineers is an essential for the future of any industry. SENAI in Brazil has recognised this and is going to great effort to incorporate Synchro32 into the syllabus. The long term benefit will be to the Brazilian metal cast industry as a whole. Hundreds of qualified and skilled people will be working in competition with those companies who would not recognise the importance of such systems.
Individually, we must all take responsibility for education and the benefits of progress and innovation within our industry. Talk to local colleges, request change. Doing nothing is not an option. Competition is hot on your heels. In the next ten years ‘survival of the fittest’ will be a mantra recited by those that did!
Interestingly we undertook a survey of all our customers...
Question: How many companies do you talk to about the advantages of an integrated specific system?Response: The common response was “Very few”
Question: Any particular reason why?Response: The system provides such an unquantifiable benefit; we don’t want our competition to use it!
If any colleges or training facilities are interested in Synchro32 as part of educational training...please do not hesitate to talk to us. An educational license is available at no cost and we can assist in providing additional training documentation to assist with course design.
Written by Barbara Nolan - Collins
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