Sawan Jasoliya

More inventory does not always mean better availability of spares. In fact, the more unnecessary inventory you have, the less likely you are to find the exact spare you need when a breakdown happens. This thought crossed my mind when I heard about the breakdown of a bucket elevator gearbox at Sebit, West Pokot plant —a place where I worked for a short time. The plant was shut down for 12 days due to the unavailability of a spare gearbox. Unfortunately, this is a recurring issue there. There was no scientific approach to procurement—just blind purchasing to save their skins. But in reality, no one can escape the consequences of poor planning. And then there’s the bigger issue: it was an old Chinese plant. After running its full life in China and being exploited to the maximum, it was sold to Devki Group, Kenya. Imagine the situation for a mechanical maintenance engineer in a plant like this—no proper manuals, no part lists, and no structured systems. Every day and every night...

There are two kinds of bosses in this world: Boss#1 and Boss#2. Boss#1 is straightforward, direct, and curt: > "Come to my office." Simple, isn’t it? It’s like getting a command from the mothership. No context, no time consideration. You don’t know if it’s about a minor clarification or a potential showdown that might end in a week's worth of extra work. And then we have Boss#2. Oh, Boss#2 is a breath of fresh air: > "Please come to my office at your convenience for a discussion on the last DPC breakdown / some other matter." Or, even better: > "When will you be available to meet me in the office for around 15 minutes to discuss the last DPC breakdown / some other matter?" Isn’t that refreshing? Boss#2 sounds like they actually respect your time, gives you context, and *maybe* values your presence. They’re probably the ones who remember your name and maybe even ask you how your weekend was (and actually care about the answer). The Big Question...

This is a classic challenge faced by me and many professionals in technical and operational roles. As a mechanical manager, the nature of your job often means that the better you perform, the less visible your work becomes to others, because everything is running smoothly. Here are some strategies to balance doing your job well while ensuring that others appreciate and understand the importance of your role: 1. Document and Communicate Your Achievements Regularly document the maintenance tasks, preventive measures, and improvements you undertake in the plant. Create reports or monthly summaries that highlight completed projects, resolved issues, and maintenance schedules. Share these reports with your supervisors and colleagues in a way that shows how your actions directly contribute to the plant’s smooth functioning. 2. Educate Your Team and Stakeholders Educate your colleagues, team members, and supervisors on the importance of preventive maintenance, predictive analysis, and how you...

Me to ChatGPT: I am a "defective" piece. Over time, I’ve come to understand some of the quirks that define me. I'm a quick troubleshooter. I find the root cause of any situation (I don’t call them problems) instantly. This makes others believe there was never an issue to begin with, leading them to underestimate my contribution. I keep smiling, no matter the situation. This makes some people think I’m carefree or not serious enough. I speak less. And that often gets mistaken for arrogance. I build systems that run smoothly from the ground up. And because everything works automatically, people assume I’m not doing anything at all. I don’t blow minor issues out of proportion or panic. And because of that, people assume their plant is running super-efficiently on its own. While I continue to reflect and add more insights to this list, I’d appreciate your help in analyzing where I can improve. There’s always room for growth, even in "defective" pieces. ChatGPT ...

It seems my inbox is overflowing these days. Ever since I joined a cement company in Africa, my phone has turned into a hotline for job inquiries. "Bro, any vacancies in Africa?" "Sir, how can I get a job in a cement plant there?" "I heard the pay is double!" Ah, the dream! The illusion of working abroad, basking in a higher salary while effortlessly sipping cocktails by the beach after a "hard day’s work." I hate to burst your bubble, but it’s time to get real. Let’s talk about the real expat life in Africa: First off, let’s tackle the big myth: "You're not getting paid more. You're getting paid for overtime you never asked for." Yes, you might see a nice salary figure, but let me translate that into the expat currency – work till your eyeballs fall out . Got your attention? Good. Here's the reality, dear friends: 1. Expats Are the Last Resort Let’s be clear: companies don’t wake up thinking, “Oh wow, let’s hire a foreign...

Navigating Mid-Career: Preparing for the Challenges Ahead Mid-career can indeed be a dangerous place – a point where you might become too expensive for the roles you can perform and unwilling to take the roles you can get. This tricky situation often arises because aging is mandatory, but upskilling is optional. As we grow older and attain 'senior' status in our careers, promotions and salary hikes may come by default – at least for a while. As long as your skills and capabilities continue to rise at a comparable pace, there's no problem. However, if your ability to deliver value starts lagging behind your salary, it should set off alarm bells. What if your company eliminates your role or asks you to justify your position or salary? So, what's the way out? Here are some strategies to prepare yourself and overcome the mid-career crisis: The Freelancer Test : Every year, ask yourself, "If I were a freelancer, could I earn as much as my current salary (or more)?"...