Any Tips on How to get up to speed quickly?
Any Tips on How to get up to speed quickly?
(OP)
I'll be starting a new job next week. I've been with the same company ever since my graduation. Can anybody give me some tips on how to get up to speed at my new job (it a job that's related to manufacturing processes & design)?





RE: Any Tips on How to get up to speed quickly?
Don't touch anything or pick up anything unless specifically requested to do so.
If it's a union shop, don't even pick up trash; that's someone else's job, and especially if they're not doing it, they'll be first in line to file a grievance against you. There is some incentive for them to entrap you into breaking a rule; they get money, you get yelled at.
Wear your safety glasses, hard hat, boots, whatever is required by the shop rules, whenever you are in the shop. It sets a good example, and also conveys the message that you are not an ivory tower kind of person.
When asked why you're out there, explain that you are trying to understand the real processes as they exist in the shop, which you should be doing anyway, so you have a clear picture of what fairy tales the documented processes actually are.
Most shops have a serious we/they perspective on management, and you have to live in both worlds. You can do that by being honest and polite and respectful toward everyone.
Back in the office, write down what you learned. As the new guy, it will take you a while to associate first names with last names, titles, duties, actual skills, and relationships. A written record speeds up that process. Keep that record for yourself only.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Any Tips on How to get up to speed quickly?
"At my last company we did XXX."
Get to know the guys in the trenches. Be observant in regards to who the "go to" people are. Become friends with them without brown nosing or being insincere. Don’t get stuck at your desk. As the new face in town, you want to get exposure to as many people as you can. You may not remember all the names or functions, but they will remember you and your efforts. Spread yourself out, but don’t neglect any assigned tasks.
Take plenty of notes so you are not asking basic questions over and over.
It’s a new job and environment, enjoy the learning curve.
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Any Tips on How to get up to speed quickly?
Cultivate the relationships with the lower ranks and the "gatekeeepers". For me these folks have been the Shipping Department, Maintenance Department, the experienced line workers, and the Secretary/Admin Assistant. You'll need those people's help in the near future, and you need to make sure that they don't feel threatened or patronized by you.
Start slowly, ramp up to speed, integrate yourself into the team, form those important relationships.
TygerDawg
RE: Any Tips on How to get up to speed quickly?
Good luck and regards,
RE: Any Tips on How to get up to speed quickly?
Get out into the area, introduce yourself and talk to the operators, take everything with at least a bit of a pinch of salt before you really understand the situation. Some people at first glance may appear to know a lot but it can be inaccurate.
Find out if there are any basic training courses you could do (e.g. basic line operations that the shop floor lads may have done) which will help with understanding the overall process.
Ask if you can have a walk round with people from different disciplines to understand the issues e.g. the mech engineer, the elec engineer and the production manager. That way you can get a rounded overview of whats going on.
Oh and as much as it may be tempting please please avoid 'at my last company we did...' or using old terminology so if a machine was called machine A at where you were before and its called machine B at where you are now. Don't call it machine A regardless of whether it is exactly the same or not. It makes you stand out, appears to existing company employees as though you dont fit in and would still like to be in your old company, learn the language of the new area. We have a guy who has done this for 18 months now. He is not well liked as he doesn't fit in and appears not to care about our processes, only those where he used to work.
Good luck, it will take a while but noone expects you to know everything straight away. Don't be afraid to ask the stupid question, you will get more respect than pretending to know.
RE: Any Tips on How to get up to speed quickly?
RE: Any Tips on How to get up to speed quickly?
Thank you!!!
RE: Any Tips on How to get up to speed quickly?
To keep costs down leave early by plane and arrive in Chicago and go dirrectly to the show by van (there is no need to rent a car for this event, by staying at one of the approved hotels there will be a bus to / from the event each day). Check you luggage at the show and spend the first day looking a specific area - don't over do it. You need only two days of hotel for the 3 days of show. Beware your hotel cost will be $250/day. The last day you do the reverse of the first day and go home in the early evening.
I've gone to this show for the last 17 years. If your employer does not see the value in the show then it's time look for another job; plain and simple they don't get it.
The show is about ideas to improve your process and not just about buying machines. Your problem will be information overload. Get ready to walk - good luck!
jck26
RE: Any Tips on How to get up to speed quickly?
GE had such a document that was very instructive.
RE: Any Tips on How to get up to speed quickly?
be afraid to ask questions when in front of a client. if your question is a 'rookie' question, and you ask in front of a customer, the customer may get the impression that your company is inexperienced, so hold your tongue until you only have people on your team in the huddle.