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More from Vicki Bell
- From The Fabricator
A ‘livable wage’ and manufacturing
- By Vicki Bell
- Jun 15, 2017
- Shop Management
- Blog Post
A living or livable wage is one that allows the earner to afford adequate shelter, food, and the other necessities of life. Ideally, it should be substantial enough to ensure that no more than 30 percent of it needs to be spent on housing. A livable wage and jobs in general are getting a lot of attention these days. How are metalworkers faring when it comes to a livable wage?
- From The Fabricator
Millennials and entrepreneurship
- By Vicki Bell
- Jun 1, 2017
- Shop Management
- Blog Post
Where are you at this moment? Somewhere you want to be—or not? If you are at work, do you like what you are doing and satisfied with your compensation? Have you ever thought about striking out on your own and starting a business? Many people have thought about it, and the millennials are no exception.
- From The Fabricator
Another job skill employers are desperately seeking
- By Vicki Bell
- May 24, 2017
- Shop Management
- Blog Post
“Where oh where are the skilled workers?” employers ask. “Where are those who can read a ruler and blueprints and do the math? Where are those who understand metals properties and physics?” Some also are asking, “Where are those who can write in complete sentences?”
- From The Fabricator
Nothing personal, it’s just business
- By Vicki Bell
- May 11, 2017
- Shop Management
- Blog Post
Losing your job is difficult, no matter your age. Imagine being 60 and not yet ready—mentally or financially—to retire, and being let go after decades spent working for your employer. It happens. It happened to John.
- From The Fabricator
A $1 million problem and so much more
- By Vicki Bell
- May 1, 2017
- Shop Management
- Blog Post
The skills gap has been an issue for quite some time, and a rather expensive one at that. Many variables come in to play regarding which areas of the country experience it more. Here is a look at the current status as reported by a recent survey, along with a glimpse of a more widespread, more expensive, and growing problem that needs immediate attention to keep the gap from becoming even greater.
- From The Fabricator
Likability, common sense, and courtesy in the workplace
- By Vicki Bell
- Apr 20, 2017
- Shop Management
- Blog Post
What do all jobs have in common? Unless you are the sole proprietor, worker, and customer all in one (I haven’t met one yet), you deal with people. Even those of us who work in remote home offices do this via email and phone calls. These people can make your job enjoyable, tolerable, intolerable, or an absolute hell. These people include you and me.
- From The Fabricator
Your shop’s No. 1 priority
- By Vicki Bell
- Mar 2, 2017
- Safety
- Blog Post
Many aspects vie for your attention in your shop. You have to juggle many plates and wear many hats. One priority comes before all else. The failure to make it No. 1 has some serious consequences.
- From The Fabricator
Illegal immigration and manufacturing—a conundrum?
- By Vicki Bell
- Feb 16, 2017
- Shop Management
- Blog Post
We all have thoughts on the prevailing concerns in the U.S. these days. Families, friendships, and marriages are breaking up over differing opinions of who should be in the White House and what should be done about various issues—Obamacare, the Keystone Pipeline and the environment in general, and immigration, particularly the current illegal population and refugees. In resolving all of these and other matters, we need to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
- From The Fabricator
What shop owners really look for in employees
- By Vicki Bell
- Feb 9, 2017
- Shop Management
- Blog Post
Metal fabricating covers a wide range of technical skills. What shop owners are looking for in new hires depends on the shop’s processes and the services it provides. In this post, three shop owners share some new-hire criteria.
- From The Welder
Leaving Detroit
- By Vicki Bell
- Feb 1, 2017
- Arc Welding
- Blog Post
When life dumps lemons on you the size of boulders, you have to find a way out from under them before you can even begin to think about making lemonade. If this is a learning experience, what are the lessons to be learned, and where is that proverbial silver lining? Josh Welton might be able to answer those questions, if not now, eventually.
- From The Welder
How Carl, Jackie, and Wally began their welding careers
- By Vicki Bell
- Jan 12, 2017
- Arc Welding
- Blog Post
How did you find yourself where you are in your career? Are you happy with your profession and your current job? At least three individuals in the welding industry can answer “yes” to both parts of that last question. Read about their career journeys.
- From The Fabricator
ICYMI – The most viewed articles and posts in 2016
- By Vicki Bell
- Jan 5, 2017
- Shop Management
- Blog Post
Remember when the Internet was in its infancy? My how it’s grown. So much content vies for your attention that you may have missed the most popular articles and blog posts published on thefabricator.com in 2016. Here are four items you may not have seen or may want to revisit.
- From The Fabricator
Tis the season—Give wisely and invest in the future
- By Vicki Bell
- Dec 15, 2016
- Shop Management
- Blog Post
It’s that time of year when organization after organization asks you to open your wallets and contribute to their cause. Some are legitimate and upstanding; others are not. Here are two examples of programs worthy of fabricators’ consideration.
- From The Fabricator
Moving pains
- By Vicki Bell
- Dec 6, 2016
- Shop Management
- Blog Post
Things change and businesses move. Change and moving aren’t always easy, but acceptance and good planning can help make the transition as seamless and painless as possible. Remember, it is what it is. Make the best of it.
- From The Fabricator
Job-related injuries and workers’ compensation—the more you know, the better
- By Vicki Bell
- Nov 30, 2016
- Shop Management
- Blog Post
Unless you work in human resources or have been involved in a work-related injury, you probably don’t know much about workers’ compensation. The leading reasons for claims just might surprise you.
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 04/16/2024
- Running Time:
- 63:29
In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Caleb Chamberlain, co-founder and CEO of OSH Cut, discusses his company’s...
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Navigating Change: The Manufacturer’s Guide to Change Management with ERP Implementation
- May 16, 2024
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