Sawan Jasoliya

Unplanned stoppages are bad.  But shutdowns can be a big opportunity — A really big opportunity… IF ONLY WE ARE PREPARED, our job-lists are ready. There are two types of job-lists for any shutdown: 1. Standard Job-List This is the list of jobs that we perform as part of our standard inspection and maintenance routines (mostly preventive maintenance). Process Department: checks refractory conditions in cooler, kiln, and preheater; dip tube, feedpipe, flap valve condition, etc., and carries out the necessary maintenance. Mechanical Department: checks DPC, cooler, kiln supporting roller bearings, drive, HTD, bucket elevator, blowers, process fans, mill internals, screw conveyors, etc., and performs the required maintenance. Electrical Department: checks HT/LT panels, circuit breakers, cable terminations, MCCs, motors, lighting systems, earthing, and ensures functionality of interlocks and protection systems. Instrument Department: calibrates and maintains field instr...

We all admire successful people. We follow them on social media. We read their books. We watch their interviews and TED Talks. And why not? They’ve achieved what many of us are aiming for. But here’s something important I want to share: 👉 Just following successful people will not automatically make you successful. Let me be clear— I’m not saying it doesn’t help. Listening to them, watching them, reading about them—it does give you insights and motivation. But there’s no guarantee that doing what they did will work exactly the same for you. Why? Because the truth is— successful people create their own success systems. They are not following someone else’s steps; they are figuring out what works for them, in their context, with their personality, skills, timing, and luck. In fact, many successful people can’t even explain their system properly —because most of it is happening in their subconscious. They do things a certain way, they react a certain way, they take decisi...

Is Your Budget Helping the Plant or Hurting It? Budgeting is not a ritual. It’s a strategic exercise , or at least it’s meant to be. But what has it become in many plants today? Let’s talk honestly.  A simple formula:  “[Last year’s budget] – [20%]” That’s how it starts. No real discussions. No real-time condition assessment. No logic. Just blind cost-cutting . "Last year we spent ₹10 lakhs on spares? Okay, this year we will spend ₹8 lakhs." "We used 5000 litres of lubricant last year? Let's target 4000 litres this year." But… Why? Is the plant going to run fewer hours this year? Are prices coming down? Are you expecting fewer breakdowns? No one asks. No one answers. Where’s the Vision? True budgeting demands vision — a long-term vision. But these days, teams are unstable , and no one stays long enough to think about the long-term impact of short-term cuts. Let’s take an example that might sound familiar to you: The Cleaning Manpower Example Suppos...

Why this post? In today’s job market, having the right skills is not enough —you need the right visibility. And when it comes to building that visibility, LinkedIn is your best ally. And yes, do not think that this is a long or complicated process. It’s actually quite simple—and once you start, you’ll find it becoming more comfortable with each passing day. Soon, you’ll start enjoying it. Especially when you begin to see results—new connections, interview calls, and confidence in presenting yourself. I’ve been mentoring and helping job-seekers for over a decade, and just today, during a conversation with a mining engineer, I felt the need to share these tips in a detailed manner— not as theory, but as actionable guidance based on real experience. Step 1: Start With Your Profile ✅ Make it neat, complete, and keyword-rich. Your profile is your first impression. Spend some time reviewing it—add a good photo, a strong headline, your experience, and skills. 👉 Example: If you’re a...

A plant’s Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) is a direct reflection of how well its problems are being solved.  And the easiest way to check that? Look at recurring stoppages. ~> If a problem occurred 6 months ago and keeps happening, it means the root cause was never addressed. ~> More than 3 similar stoppages? No real RCA (Root Cause Analysis) is being done. ~> When RCA is done right, stoppages reduce, OEE improves, and life becomes easier for everyone! It's a simple formula: Good RCA = Good OEE = Good Life = Good Everything.

Whenever I step into a sick or non-performing plant , I can almost predict what I’ll find— A very good, very nice, very loved person in a higher position. People will say, "He’s such a nice person!" Ask them why? No clear answers. What’s his contribution? No real explanation. But he is loved. In fact, he is the most visited, praised, and admired person in the entire plant. And let me tell you— he really is a genuinely nice human being. But here’s the catch... Why is a Non-Performing Plant’s Most Loved Leader Also the Biggest Problem? The truth is, this "nice" leader is always good for nothing. Why? Because: ❌ He lets people do whatever they want—except their REAL work.  ❌ He keeps everyone happy by never enforcing discipline.  ❌ He avoids conflicts instead of solving problems. ❌ He enjoys being surrounded by people —who love him for allowing inefficiency to flourish. And the plant? It remains sick. How to Identify This "Nice" Leader? ...

We often see viral posts on LinkedIn criticizing companies for offering X% salary hikes to new hires while giving less than X/2% to existing employees . These posts always get instant engagement —because they tap into a common frustration. But, let’s pause for a moment. Is it really that simple? Why Existing Employees Often Get Lower Increments 1️⃣ Comfort Zone Factor – Many existing employees, even after getting an increment, don’t add anything significantly new . Their work stabilizes, and their efforts often plateau. 2️⃣ Perceived Value vs. New Contribution – A new employee is bringing in fresh energy, new ideas, and often an updated skillset . An existing employee is often seen as maintaining the status quo. 3️⃣ Negotiation vs. Retention – A new hire negotiates their salary upfront , based on the market. Existing employees, if they aren’t actively looking elsewhere, rarely negotiate and are more likely to accept what is offered . 4️⃣ Market Adjustments – Industries evolve. If...