Barbara Nolan-Collins - Synchro 32

Summer Time & Cast Metal Passion

2010-08-05T04:37:00.000-07:00

Summer already...how fast the days and weeks pass.
We have had a busy half year, I am encouraged by the constant flow of enquiries and conversions. Synchro32 is a brilliant system and the team behind our success work so hard, their never ending commitment is overwhelming. We drive hard or at least I do and although this does not make me the most popular, my passion for our company and the industry is a focus I never lose sight of.

As the marketing director it is my job to keep our profile high, maintain clarity of message. Our moral behaviour must remain exemplary. We have high standards...quality, customer care, support and response times...

I Love this job, the mission to provide each cast metal manufacturer with a decent working, robust, affordable system, designed from head to toe specifically for them is almost akin to a religion.

We have not lost a customer through this recession or any other in the last 35 years... in my opinion this quantifies the true nature of Synchro32 and the team that make it all work.

I am proud to work for this company and the team (Synchro)

Thanks guys and girls...

Barbara

Quality Control for Customer Service

2010-06-10T01:56:00.000-07:00

It never fails to amaze me how much lip service is given to this subject of customer service...but sadly in my personal experience it is weak and inconsistent...I can only think that training and systems must be failing.

The latest example... dealing with a bank; all I require are a set of three statements 03 > 06. You would think that this is a simple request and would prove to be straight forward. Not at all...so far this has taken since the 12 of May and I still do not have the paperwork I have requested and as an aside have had to pay for.

Each member of staff I have spoken to and so far this is 5 including the manager...have been totally inconsistent with the information I have to provide for security purposes. I will be on my 9th call today if the post does not deliver the paperwork I need.

As a business owner, my one true passion is customer service...and I think our team do pretty well, but we can always do better. Customers need communication, they need answers and they want to feel cared for.
This is demanding and time consuming but the rewards are enormous.

Making money in a business is essential...making customers happy to be with you is as important it is very much the life blood for any decent business. There is a morality that cannot be ignored...and yet for many businesses it appears they survive on another planet. Not one we ever wish to inhabit.

Barbara (A passion for our customers is what drives me every working day...)

Why do a job badly when you can do it well?

2010-05-04T03:39:00.000-07:00

When a company strive continually to do the very best they are capable of..and a bit more. Why do some companies large and small just make do?

Customer service is poor, communications are weak and a general lack of interest in you as a customer.

I am not suggesting this is common but there is no need for any slack behaviour when running a business.

It is exciting, exhilarating everyday you will face a dozen new situations needing solutions. Be active, feel a hunger to do better...please your customer.
Is this easy...no of course not. There are days when you are maybe tired...not on top of the game, but it is all a question of the kind of thoughts you allow to process through. Learning to control your thoughts is the only way I know to make the best of your working and personal life. Being positive is a habit as is being negative...we can chose what we think.

It is worth giving consideration to what you think...how often is it negative and or positive.

B

2010-03-28T23:03:00.001-07:00

All back at our desks..well except for....Simon

Wow...

We welcome our CastExpo '10 team back to their desks. Well, not quite all. Our implementation manager is working with three companies as an extension to his trip.

Great show...I love it when it all goes so well. We are totally energised and excited, so much to work on, so many leads.

This is short simply because I have so much work to do...

Must Go

B

and while I was uploading my last BLOG..another customer

2010-03-10T03:25:00.000-08:00

From Greece...

We are truly a global company.

Barbara Nolan - Collins

In my dept - Marketing & Sales

2010-03-10T02:30:00.000-08:00

We have done so well since the beginning of the year...'10

I said to one of my colleagues yesterday. ' When companies can grow in this business climate, they are strong and well managed'

It is easy doing business in the good times...most companies can do business and make some money...the true tests come in really tough environments where the underlying sentiment is one of anxiety and fear.

We have had a real increase in the amount of quotes being signed with new companies making the decision to go with Synchro32.

Now... we here, know that is one of the best decisions they will ever make but that knowledge is only understood when they run live and begin to experience the real benefits. In fact initially it is all down to trust.

We now have a globally recognized brand. The business world and enterprise are inextricably interlinked. We understood a long time ago that behaving as though the rest of the world and the global economic climate could be ignored was a long slow death to failure....other countries and their economics matter.

When one market is slowing up...others are increasing. This strategy we put in place four years ago has proved to be a very wise decision.

As a result we are now picking up business from economies which are growing, pulling through this global recession. The US in some casting sectors is shifting and we have new companies in the last three weeks who have signed up to Synchro32. USA, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore...all growing again...business is picking up quite rapidly.

We have such a strong motivated team...working hard to make every communication work. Nothing is left to chance. All our internall systems are revised getting rid of the old and bringing in what is relevant today...for the greater success of our company.

There is so much bad, poor business done everyday...by companies large and small. I know that we will be a massive company, we move fast, we are totally flexible, we have a total passion for the casting industry and our knowledge and experience is as rare as hens teeth!

We have a great year ahead...and it is already happening, now.

Barbara Nolan - Collins

Marketing Director

2010-02-03T01:28:00.000-08:00

Being healthy is your natural state of being...look after it and the

world is your oyster.

There is no one I know that wants to be ill...

This information has recently been released... the same information and research data has been known for the last decade; not so recent after all. I am referring to ‘Not so sweet’ the detail below.
The weight of the Giant Food Industry’s in the West is beyond most people’s comprehension. The extent of their influence and hold over governments is unimaginable. Money is poured into research (R&D) the results are either not released if they cannot disguise and massage the figures or they manipulate the data to release for favourable news. The food industry is no different to the pharmaceutical...I will not attempt to go into this as it is another hot subject .
Money, the more they make the happier they are to keep us in the dark...as a consequence we become sick.

Heart Disease
In the case of heart disease, over thirty years ago there was copious amounts of data and trials that indicated a diet which consisted of more than 10% animal protein including fish (this is a critical percentage) with high fat, particularly manufactured and processed fats and oils, high sugar, refined carbohydrate i.e. white rice, white bead...all stripped of the essential minerals and vitamins and too little exercise would inevitable subject an individual to a high risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer and in some cases all three!

Given that we have more heart disease in the west than ever before...and still rising at a pace, something is very wrong; and low fat is only a fraction of the problem.

The data from various lengthy and costly trials were deliberately not published because several Western governments were so heavily influenced and tied by a financial need to maintain the status quo in favour of the food giants that as a result we were fed deliberate lies about the low risks involved with the standard western diet.

If as we now believe that a diet in low fat will keep us healthy...not true. The low fat industry is massive; do you know how they remove fat from cheese, yoghurt, spreads or any other food that adorns the super market shelves with a low fat label? Well it is not pretty and when we tamper with nature the result is damaging. Fat is intended to be in the foods they are stripping it away from in the name of ‘Good Health’

We Trusted
How we all trusted our governments, science institutions, our educational systems and so on. What fools we were.

Not So Sweet (recent release Jan ‘10) old news re released!
It turns out sugar could be every bit as bad for you as fat. US heart experts have warned that, from just being linked with weight gain, sugar is a key culprit in diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
The American Heart Association has recently issued new guidelines, slashing levels for women to six teaspoons a day (just one KitKat or a 250m1 glass of orange juice).
The UK Food Standard Authority's guideline daily amount is much less strict at 12 teaspoons of 'added' sugar (found in sweets, cakes, fruit juices and fizzy drinks), but it is reviewing UK sugar intakes so guidelines may change.

Until then, this advice can help you cut down:

• Have just half a glass of fruit juice and top up with water
• Eat fresh fruit instead of biscuits
• Substitute pureed cooked apples for half the sugar required in recipes
• Opt for low-sugar breakfast cereals

The answer is simple:

If you want to be healthy then stick to the following:-

Animal Protein – Less that 10% of your TOTAL daily intake (No cheating)
7 potions a day - Vegetables lots of them and select from as many colors as possible
2 portions of fruit a day – Variety is important
1 raw salad everyday
Avocados full of healthy oils and so important for your health
Carbohydrates as long as it is ALL unprocessed – Brown rice, whole grain bread, potatoes with skins, whole grain pasta...stick to the whole grain rule
Pulses, Lentils....packed with enormous healthy benefits and essential in a vegetarian and vegan diet.
Eggs in moderation 2/3 a week
Oil and fat. Cook with olive oil, make homemade dressings for salads and vegetables
Organic Cold Pressed Oils; Olive, Flax, Almond
Dark Chocolate – No dairy added. Soya is fine
Milk substitute – Soya, rice, almond
Nuts and seeds – Excellent for you
Drink water, herbal teas, some alcohol if you wish

...be happy and have a 35 minute walk every day.
Stop Smoking for goodness sake! Well, only if you value this precious gift of life.

No dairy
I am afraid so. We are not designed as human beings to consume the milk from another animal. The lack of digestive enzymes in the majority of the world population indicates that we should not have dairy.

Dairy - The research is out there
The fact that the TV adverts tell you it is good for you is a lie. In my opinion and I do know what I am talking about, it is liquid poison. I will never touch another drop for as long as I live. Sadly, this stuff is everywhere; in most commercially produced foods. Look for casein, this is the protein in milk, look for whey this is a by product when making cheese and of course dairy.
Does this make life difficult – yes in some respects but I am a fantastic cook, I had to learn to be and my health and that of my family is so important to me than whatever sacrifice I have to make is fine by me.

Stop drinking fruit juices
Commercially produced; how many oranges are there in an average glass ? TOO MANY. How often do you sit and eat 5 oranges in one go? Never...but you drink the same quanity. Just because this is fruit does not mean it is not sugar. There are three types of sugar...and all of them need to be consumed with care.

Your health is your responsibility
There is no one I know that wants to be ill. But, if you carry on being convinced by the supermarkets, TV chefs, adverts and various government bodies...then there is nothing more certain that one of the major diseases will get you...trust me I am not a doctor!

New Year - Earthquake Haiti

2010-01-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Catastrophic 7.0 earthquake on the island. These poor people they have struggled in the last few years to cope with devastating floods and worse...and now this.
We have to stop and think about taking more care for the earth. Our children and children's children will hate us if we don't recognize and take complete responsibility for our way of life. Because they will PAY...there is no doubt about this, we are on the cusp and can continue to ignore the massive problem...but they will not have this as a choice. Their daily lives will be governed by our ignorance.

They had a massive new hospital under construction and this has collapsed! Terrible for all of those people.

Looking foward and looking back. The benefit to take...

2009-12-21T04:32:00.000-08:00

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

Balance in Business - Greed is a disease...

2009-11-10T01:40:00.000-08:00

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

New Family member - Woof....Libby is her name

2009-09-28T05:08:00.000-07:00

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

July and September - Costing & Estimating article in Modern Casting

2009-08-12T01:53:00.000-07:00

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

'Me old Pop'

2009-07-31T07:38:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-07-22T04:22:00.000-07:00

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....

My favourite photo this week...

2009-07-02T10:17:00.000-07:00

Lemons...as big as your fist.

2009-07-02T10:02:00.000-07:00

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!

Busy, busy...

2009-06-17T03:35:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-05-05T04:11:00.000-07:00

Post Card from Shane attending the exhibition 113th Metal casting Congress Las Vegas

2009-05-05T04:05:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-29T02:09:00.000-07:00

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...

Editorial: Snapshot: the impact of recession in the metallurgical & casting sector

2009-02-27T07:25:00.000-08:00

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.

My local photo's

2009-01-09T08:41:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-09T08:02:00.000-08:00

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

More - Allan and Rosemary

2008-12-17T10:23:00.000-08:00

Another photograph of the 70th...they are such a wonderful couple. I think we are really fortunate to know them.

Allan and being 70 yrs of age...Looks good I think!

2008-12-17T08:33:00.000-08:00

We attended a 70th birthday party on Sunday..and here are a couple of pic's - Allan and rosemary are the nicest of people. We love them, dearly. I did not send a 7oth birthday card...we found a 21st card which suits Allan better, we think!

Taken in a moving car

2008-12-15T09:44:00.000-08:00

...more of the same. In the car, although I am NOT driving.

I only ever consider taking photographs from a motionless position...but these few we taken as we were driving to Llandudno...

A real suprise from Lee...our support manager

2008-12-15T09:27:00.000-08:00

Last week was our anniversary...wedding. We booked to eat dinner at Bodysgallen Hall where we were married. Unknown to me and Chris, Lee had spoken to the management of the hotel, delivered a beautiful orchid and a really special card, to be placed on our table before we arrived.

When we walked into the dining room I coud see this tall orchid ladened with flowers with a card resting against the pot. I looked at Chris and said...'how lovely, darling thank you' he said ' this has got nothing to do with me!' I then smile as we get closer to the table and say ' your just teasing me, now.'

As we get to the table,I can now read the card which says Chris and Barbara...I am now assured this is NOT from Chris but consider the hotel have gone to this effort...and so my thoughts go on until we open the card, and what a suprise, it's from Lee, with the kindest words written on the inside. He had gone to so much trouble to make sure we had this gift. Thank you so much, Lee. I appreciate all that you do for us, too.

More home local scenes...

2008-12-04T09:04:00.000-08:00

...Coastline!

When I look at these photographs, I just think how spectacular...and we live here. Wow, how fortunate we are.

Day Off - well almost...

2008-12-04T08:17:00.000-08:00

All of these are taken close to home..

Beautiful isn't it?

We took a day off on Saturday...working is my life, the foundry and cast metal is what we do and although I say it myself, we do it very well. The commitment we have to our customers and the industry is what makes us such an incredible company.

Never the less we took a day off and I really enjoy photography so here are a few that I took over this weekend.

This is close to where we live...on a stunning estuary....

Thank you Lee for my Beetle...Brmm brmm

2008-11-26T08:51:00.000-08:00

THANKS LEE...Love it.

None of us could manage without your skill and humour...Synchro Sainthood.

B

Our Christmas Gathering

2008-11-26T08:32:00.000-08:00

It is difficult getting the whole of the Synchro team together...and this year was no exception. We did however take some photographs but as there was a large mirrow behind the main group, all of the photo's we took of the group all had the stark flash reflection of the mirror...

Anyway...we enjoyed our evening. Such a civilised place to have our special get together.

Thank you to all of the team for making the time to be at Bodysgalen Hall...

That is my hubby, sitting in the chair to my right. How proud I am to have such a wonderful husband. xxxx

Barbara's Blog Hijacked

2008-11-20T02:18:00.000-08:00

Hello All, Lee Mahon taking over Barbara's Blog to post up some pictures of the Car I designed for her...

Christened "The 'B'-tle" here it is in all its VW beauty...

Investement Casting Exhibition October 19 - 22nd..Excellent

2008-11-03T02:41:00.000-08:00

October Oct 19th-22th / 12th World

ConferenceInvestment Casting
Adams Mark
Hotel Dallas
Booth #216
An exceptional Investement Casting exhibition...the Investement Casting Exhibitions are always so well attended.

Shane Allen Head of USA Operations, did a great job...at Synchro we have an extra ordinary team of really dedicated people. We live and breath the Investement Casting and FOUNDRY Industry.

Great Job - Team Work at Synchro

Setting Up The Synchro Spanish Office...Lucky Me

2008-10-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

Working away from the Uk...setting up a Spanish office in Southern Spain. Tomorrow we sign the contact for the lease. The premises is approx 25 mins north of Malaga, close to a major motorway network.

The pace of life and work is quite different...from what we are used to in th Uk. The Spainish work hard just different hours. 8 - 2 and 5 - 8:30

Off course in the Summer this is quite understandable...even the airconditioning is exhausted with the heat; I like the area is is quite beautiful, rolling hills and a mountain range which I understand is called Torcal. The olives are ripening on the trees and you can smell them in the warm air...a drifting aroma. You know the way the smell of baking bread makes your mouth water, well this is quite similar.

Lots of work to get on with...how fortunate we are in this business climate to be so busy.

Must get on...another update from Spain before I return to the Uk, for a very busy month.

Barbara

Credit Crunch*****One Year ON

2008-10-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

Oh...yes what a mess.

The financial sector, the almighty that was. How they have fallen but have they. No, of course not; government have and will bail out, pour monies of such substantial amounts of the like that no one that I know could tell you how many noughts 00000 go onto a Trillion.

But what the heck...who are WE...the people. Tax payers...the revenue givers. PENSIONS, SAVERS MORTGAGE HOLDERS, BUSINESS LOANS...anyone out there believe as I do that there should be laws to protect the innocent?

The CEO of AIG...had an 11 Million bonus last year...was he worth it. Nope, not ever, that kind of expense on one individual is just unacceptable. Where is that business now, 80% owned by the US government or is that the tax payer.

As the owner of a business who undertakes that responsibility for our customer base with every life's breath. It seems incredulous to me that 'The Customer' was given such scant consideration.

At Synchro we focus all aspects of the business to providing each and every customer with the respect and esteem they deserve, why? because they chose to select the Synchro system for their business. How precious is that? It is enormous to us and we value that choice. We have customers who have been with us for twenty five years, yes 25 yrs! all without exception have contributed to the success of this company and our responsibility as managers is to keep the products up to date and provide exceptional support to the users of the system. We look after our staff because they look after the customer. There is a high moral responsibility for the owners to care, support and strive to achieve the ultimate height their company can...never losing sight of the reason we are in business is because we were selected by the CLIENT.

How to learn from the best business brains...

2008-09-10T06:16:00.000-07:00

As an avid reader of anything to do with Business or Marketing - I bought this on Saturday in Waterstone's. They have a great coffee shop in store, as is my habit; I buy coffee, keep my eye out for my favourite chairs, the soft leather one's (a real bonus if I can get one) then go in search of a couple of books...

This is excellent...one of the best I have read in a long time.

Now, Don, as he is called by colleauges and friends...as I have read the book I feel a little closer than a complete stranger - so I take the priviledge and use his christian name. Don, states and I quote:

Page 124

'Very early in my business career I came to the not so startling conclusion that every business is mainly about serving present csutomers effectively and creating new ones'

How simple is that. In a nutshell...that sums it up.

Another one...page 91

''Let's build the best car we can.And let's keep improving that car'...

This was the Japanese who made this obvious commitment...while the rest of the western automobile industry set their own internal standards, assigned their own value to a measure of qulaity and them patted themselves on the back when they came close to their own standards.

And where are the Japanese now!

We are so proud of Synchro - and proud to work with the very best people!

2008-09-09T09:47:00.000-07:00

Three of our team are in Chicago for the IMTS...a huge exhibition.

This is a wild card exhibition for us, as we are foundry and cast metal specific ERP/MRP system...this is much more of a general manufacturing and technologuy exhibition.

As a plus...WI FI is free...some exhibitions charge really high prices for this. Others will not even allow you to take your own photographs...nope you need a license to do that, which is yet another high cost.

What a world we live in...we take a great deal of pride and responsibility in keeping our costs as low as we can. Affordability to the industry is an important mantra for us at Syncho.

Cat Nap

2008-09-09T07:34:00.000-07:00

Sleeping on the job...

Not a bad life if you can find the right kind of lap top to snooze on !

From my chair in my office...

2008-09-09T07:20:00.000-07:00

My first passion is the business...Synchro32

Everyday I desire to gain greater knowledge and incite, enabling Synchro32 to provide the cast metal industry with a system, which, makes available the potential to each company to combine their skill in manufacturing with a flexible working system, specifically designed for the casting sector.

The combination is powerful...

I read extensively, attend seminars and I will take the best of what I hear and read and pass it to you via my blog.

My second passion is good food...

I believe our bodies need nourishing. In most cases people treat their cars with more respect than their bodies!

So I cook...and cook and cook. It is rare for me to use a recipe and even when I do, I cannot follow it to the letter. The only problem with this method of cooking is when you really like something you make it is difficult to recreate it!

My third...people and different cultures. How fortunate we are in this day and age to have so many different cultures all accessible, if we choose to explore the world beyond our own immediate community.

Born in East Africa, my father and mother from Manchester in the north of England; I had an interesting childhood, most of the time bare foot on the plains of Africa a beautiful landscape, deeply soulful. My first language was English my second was Swahili...much of my heart is still there.

I am married to a wonderful man...who is a real guiding spirit in my life, although sadly we have no children there are compensations to be had. Three nieces; and I am a great beliver in accepting what you cannot change.