The Driller
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EQUIPMENT
  • SAFETY
  • VIDEOS
  • EDUCATION
  • SOURCEBOOK
  • EVENTS
  • SUBMIT
  • ABOUT
  • SIGN UP
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Water
  • Geothermal
  • Construction
  • Environmental
  • Mining
  • All Industry News
  • EQUIPMENT
  • Rigs & Heavy Equipment
  • Consumables
  • Pumps
  • Featured Products
  • VIDEOS
  • Newscast
  • Drill Talks
  • Ask Brock
  • Emerging Drillers
  • EDUCATION
  • Drilling Business Insights
  • Reference Desk
  • Sponsored Insights
  • EVENTS
  • Conferences & Demo Days
  • Newscast LIVE
  • SUBMIT
  • Drillers @Work
  • ABOUT
  • Contact
  • Advertise
The Driller
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
The Driller
  • NEWS
    • Water
    • Geothermal
    • Construction
    • Environmental
    • Mining
    • All Industry News
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EQUIPMENT
    • Rigs & Heavy Equipment
    • Consumables
    • Pumps
    • Featured Products
  • SAFETY
  • VIDEOS
    • Newscast
    • Drill Talks
    • Ask Brock
    • Emerging Drillers
  • EDUCATION
    • Drilling Business Insights
    • Reference Desk
    • Sponsored Insights
  • SOURCEBOOK
  • EVENTS
    • Conferences & Demo Days
    • Newscast LIVE
  • SUBMIT
    • Drillers @Work
  • ABOUT
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP

Portfolio

February 18, 2003
Read up on this month's business management files

Unnecessary Surgery

According to a study by the Rand Corp., a significant number of surgical and medical procedures are performed unnecessarily. For example, among the five most common procedures performed in the United States, the study concludes:

Fourteen percent of coronary artery (heart) bypass surgeries were unjustified, 30 percent were debatable and 56 percent were appropriate.

Thirty-two percent of carotoid enadartectomies (removing plaque buildup in neck arteries to prevent stroke) should not have been performed, 32 percent were borderline and 36 percent were justified.

Twenty percent of pacemaker implants were unnecessary, 36 percent were debatable and 44 percent were justified.

Seventeen percent of angiographies (x-rays of heart arteries injected with dye) were inappropriate, 9 percent were borderline and 74 percent were justified.

Seventeen percent of gastrointestinal tract endoscopies (visual exam of stomach with a tube through the mouth) were unjustified, 11 percent were debatable and 72 percent were appropriate.



Asking Questions

In their book, “Problem Employees: How to Improve Their Performance,” Peter Wylie and Mardy Grothe tell of four types of questions you can ask employees to find out what they’re thinking.

Open-ended. These questions make it difficult for employees to tell you what they think you want to hear. For example, ask, “How did things go at the job while I was away?” Don’t ask a closed-ended question such as, “Did everything go OK while I was gone?”

Fact-finding. Ask questions to find out what information employees can provide and to learn whether employees know what they should know. Examples: “What were our gross sales for the fourth quarter?” or “When is the deadline for submitting that bid?”

Comprehensive. Offer specifics the person might focus on when answering. Examples: “How, in general, did the project go?” “What have you been working on the last two days?” What do you particularly like and dislike?” “Have you been encountering any difficulties?”

Thought-provoking. Focus on your relationship with an employee and how the employee views you in that relationship. “Tom, I’ve been thinking about our working relationship lately, and I’d like to try to improve it. What could I do, as your boss, to make your job more satisfying and less frustrating for you?”



Skill-building Tips

Our friends at the Kessler Exchange in Northridge, Calif., offer these five-minute skill-building activities that can boost productivity, confidence and enthusiasm.

Look over your plans for the day. Try to eliminate one activity that’s not directly contributing to your success.

Think of something that you or others need that would make a good business. It will build a keener awareness of opportunities.

Think of someone who wastes a lot of time and list how that happens. Then ask yourself, “Do I do any of that?”

Think about what you accomplished last month. How could you accomplish more this month?

Do one thing today in a very different way. Try a different … route to work, chair, lunch partner or job method. Flexibility is powerful, and a change in routine gets you thinking more creatively.



Take a Walk — in Cincinnati

If you have to be a pedestrian, you’re best off walking around Cincinnati, and you want to steer clear of Orlando. A recent report from the Surface Transportation Policy Project says Mickey’s central Florida home is the nation’s most dangerous large metro area for pedestrians. The nine other areas on the group’s most dangerous list also are in the Sunbelt.

The most dangerous places were “marked by newer, low-density developments, where wide, high-speed streets offer few sidewalks or crosswalks,” the report claims.

The report criticizes states for not making better use of what federal money is available. Despite a 40-percent increase in federal transportation dollars going to the states, no state spends more than 2.7 percent of that money on sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic calming, speed bumps, multi-use paths and safety education. Part of the reason for less spending on such items is the tremendous pressure to concentrate spending on campaigns to prevent drunken driving and encourage seatbelt use.



Write It to Remember It

Forgetfulness, a plague to many and a concern of most, is a critical effectiveness robber. But there is a solution, and it’s a habit that increases productivity tremendously — if it’s worth remembering, it’s worth writing down.

Writing it down also is a stress remover, relieving the strain of trying to remember and freeing the mind to move on to other thoughts. Additionally, it avoids the feeling of guilt when something important is forgotten.



Know Your Banker Well

It’s important to have a strong relationship with your banker, and it’s a two-way street. Watch out for danger signs signaling indifference on the part of the bank.

If the bank changes your loan officer, and the new person doesn’t meet with you in a timely manner to learn about you and your business, that’s not good.

If your loan officer changes more than once in a 12-month period, that’s a bad sign.

If your loan officer retires anytime soon after being assigned to you, the bank’s telling you that you’re not very important.



Business Development

Don’t feel alone if you are concerned about our economy turning around. “This year presents a lot of uncertainty for the construction industry,” states Mr. John Kreiss, a principal with ZweigWhite specializing in contractor consulting services. Based on the Construction Financial Management Association’s 2002 annual survey, more contractors anticipate a decrease in volume this year. Kreiss shares a few business development ideas to help your firm optimize its potential:

Call your existing clients. Ask them about their plans for the rest of the year. Not only will this give you a heads-up of what to expect, but your clients will remember you when the need for your services arises.

Keep focused on target markets. Find out what kind of work your firm excels at and market your expert services to this group.

Get out and network. Find out where your potential clients are likely to be and demonstrate you are interested in their situations.



The Chemistry of Leadership

Thomas Drier, writing in his book, “The Executive As a Human Chemist,” tells us that we are drawn to men and women who do not attempt to change or natures, but rather use our natures to the fullest possible extent.

These people come across as instinctively understanding others and having respect for them. In turn, they command respect for themselves.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • geotechnical drilling rig

    6 Onsite Phrases Environmental Drillers Hate

    Here are six phrases that highlight common frustrations...
    Geotechnical Investigation
    By: Jeff Garby
  • Wayne Nash

    Pipe Stuck? Common Causes and Solutions for Drillers

    If you have drilled for any length of time, sooner or...
    Water Wells
    By: Wayne Nash
  • submersible pumps, water well pumps

    Selecting and Sizing Submersible Pump Cable

    This article helps pump installers and servicers decide...
    Opinions
    By: Bob Pelikan
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

The Driller Newscast: New York Geo Talks 2025 Conference with Hands-on Driller Education

The Driller Newscast: New York Geo Talks 2025 Conference with Hands-on Driller Education

The Driller Newscast, Episode 147: Global Geothermal Collaboration at NY-GEO 2025

The Driller Newscast, Episode 147: Global Geothermal Collaboration at NY-GEO 2025

The Driller Newscast: Coiled Tubing Drilling and the Future of Geothermal

The Driller Newscast: Coiled Tubing Drilling and the Future of Geothermal

The Driller Newscast: 21st Century Drillers | Part 1 DEMAND

The Driller Newscast: 21st Century Drillers | Part 1 DEMAND

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the The Driller audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of The Driller or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • demo of a DM450 drilling rig during a customer factory visit
    Sponsored byGeoprobe

    Built for You: Smarter Drill Rigs, Stronger Support, Bigger Opportunities

Popular Stories

MainPhotoTwoBrothers.jpg

Two Brothers' Journey Through the Drilling Industry

Tariffs

Tariffs Shake Up the Drilling Industry

AI and Drought Concerns

AI’s Growing Thirst for Water and Power

The Driller Classifieds

COMPRESSORS

EAST WEST MACHINERY & DRILLING IS BUYING AND SELLING AIR COMPRESSORS, AIR BOOSTERS, AIR ENDS & PARTS
Company: East West Machinery

DRILL RIGS

LOOKING FOR LATE MODEL TOPHEADS & DRILLTECH D25'S
Company: Spikes’s Rig Sales

DRILL RIG PARTS

MEETING DRILLERS NEEDS AROUND THE WORLD
Company: East West Machinery

ELEVATORS

SEMCO INC. PIPE ELEVATORS
Company: Semco Inc.

GROUTERS

GROUTING EQUIPMENT - GROUT PUMPS & GROUT HOSE REELS
Company: Geo-Loop Inc.

PUMP HOISTS

SEMCO INC. - BASIC PUMP HOISTS
Company: Semco Inc.

WELL PACKERS

LANSAS PRODUCTS - INFLATABLE WELL PACKERS
Company: Vanderlans Lansas Products

WELL SCREENS

WELL SCREENS & SLOTTED PIPE
Company: Alloy Screen Works

Products

Water Quality Engineering: Physical / Chemical Treatment Processes

Water Quality Engineering: Physical / Chemical Treatment Processes

By carefully explaining both the underlying theory and the underlying mathematics, this text enables readers to fully grasp the fundamentals of physical and chemical treatment processes for water and wastewater.

See More Products

Subscribe to The Driller Newscast

Related Articles

  • Portfolio

    See More
  • Portfolio

    See More
  • Portfolio

    See More
×

Dig deeper into the drilling and water supply industry!

Build your knowledge with The Driller, covering the people, equipment and technologies across drilling markets.

SIGN UP NOW
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Classifieds
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

The Driller
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
The Driller
  • NEWS
    • Water
    • Geothermal
    • Construction
    • Environmental
    • Mining
    • All Industry News
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EQUIPMENT
    • Rigs & Heavy Equipment
    • Consumables
    • Pumps
    • Featured Products
  • SAFETY
  • VIDEOS
    • Newscast
    • Drill Talks
    • Ask Brock
    • Emerging Drillers
  • EDUCATION
    • Drilling Business Insights
    • Reference Desk
    • Sponsored Insights
  • SOURCEBOOK
  • EVENTS
    • Conferences & Demo Days
    • Newscast LIVE
  • SUBMIT
    • Drillers @Work
  • ABOUT
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP