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Some Things are Immutable

By Greg Alvarado, Chief Editor at Inspectioneering. February 24, 2022
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Many experts suggest that we are coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic stage and entering the endemic stage, i.e., it is another virus that we will need to contend with for the foreseeable future. Most of us are back at work. Many of us have become adept at remote meetings and have learned how to become more effective and efficient at digital data sharing and transfers. We now hear terms like digital twins, cloud computing, data science, and the mantra of data, data, data. News is shared at lightning speed. Life seems to be accelerating. There is so much to learn. The landscape can be confusing.

We must be careful not to get so caught up in this polarizing world of politics, business, and marketing that we forget that, at the end of the day, it is still about people and qualities like trust, integrity, empathy, care for our fellow man, treating others with respect and dignity, passion, strong work ethic and attention to detail, which are immutable. It is easy to get so caught up in the busyness of life that we can forget about these qualities. It is so important not to overpromise, to be honest with ourselves and with others. The dividends are huge.

I would like to take the time to encourage everyone to aspire to helping others. Young inspectors and engineers need mentors and good examples. That being said, it is important to set accurate expectations and avoid the temptation of overpromising to make the sale. Whether software, a new NDE technology, or the like, if we are truly experts at what we do and what we promote, we should do our best to portray the solution accurately, be transparent about the total cost of implementation, etc. Not just can, but will it deliver the goods? If we truly are experts, we should be able to anticipate roadblocks, potholes, needed resources and the like. Planning with this type of experience will avoid a lot of rework and change orders. When suppliers of technology and services are rife with change orders it makes one wonder if they really are that expert.

So often I hear about the NDE technology/service that delivered on the promise. Unfortunately, I hear about the flip side of that coin too. The same happens with software and other technologies. Millions can be spent on a journey that never takes the traveler to their desired destination. How gratifying it is when the traveler arrives at the desired destination, on time and on budget!

When you find a good partner – one you can trust – value that relationship highly! Good relationships don’t just happen automatically. They take deliberate effort and commitment.

Deliver a well-planned and executed project. Remember, it is usually a collaboration. The best-selling tool is still a happy client.

Here’s to a great 2022!


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