Pseudo-CAD manager in need of help

[Anonymous]

Hey Guys and Gals,

My story might seem familiar to all of you, but I need some help anyway.

Like most of you, I started out as an average CADie, and slowly
progressed with AutoCAD. I gradually grew into a user support role. I
enjoyed the challenge of helping people solve their CAD problems on a
day to day basis. Unfortunatly the company grew from 7 CAD seats to
about 35. Needless to say user support has taken up a lot of my time.
It started to cut into my production time, to the point of 5 hrs of my
day was spent on user support and 3 was on production.

I have recently been promoted to an Asst. Design Engineer, and everyone
in the office has been notified, by upper managment, that I will no
longer be available as a CAD resource. This hasn't stopped the need for
user support, just made the CAD personell trickier in their requests.

Now I am getting grief from all sides. The users are upset that I can't
help them quick enough, because I already have a lot on my plate. And
management is upset that I am using so much of my time on non-billable
work and my projects are late.

I have tried to convince them that I can train some of the other
draftsmen to take some of the load off of me. This idea was firmly shot
down. The reasoning is that they can't afford to lose that many people
for that long, even though I have only asked for an hour a week for two
months.

It seems like I am at an impasse. After following this newsgroup for
about two weeks, it seems like my situation is not unique. I could use
all of your vast and varied experiences in this.

Sincerley,

CMF

[Anonymous]

Yes Chris,

You are amongst peers who have suffered the same fate. Although CADD
Coordinator is only supposed to be a small portion of my job, as I
predicted, my duties in that area could only expand as our use of CADD
grew...and did they ever. Yet, I am still expected to switch to production
material at a whim. Drop everything, no matter what the stage. In a four
uear perioid, it is starting to become too much for me to handle, and I am
seiously thinking about jumping ship over to the computer division. I deal
with that department so much, and often take on duties that are supposed to
be taken care of on that staff, that I might as well become part of it.
Another major reason being, there is room for me to move up over there.
Here on the engineering staff, I'm at the top of my grade...no where to run.

stick in there...I did for 4 years so far.. but,.time for a change?

Gary

Chris Ferris wrote:

> Hey Guys and Gals,
>
> My story might seem familiar to all of you, but I need some help anyway.
>
> Like most of you, I started out as an average CADie, and slowly
> progressed with AutoCAD. I gradually grew into a user support role. I
> enjoyed the challenge of helping people solve their CAD problems on a
> day to day basis. Unfortunatly the company grew from 7 CAD seats to
> about 35. Needless to say user support has taken up a lot of my time.
> It started to cut into my production time, to the point of 5 hrs of my
> day was spent on user support and 3 was on production.
>
> I have recently been promoted to an Asst. Design Engineer, and everyone
> in the office has been notified, by upper managment, that I will no
> longer be available as a CAD resource. This hasn't stopped the need for
> user support, just made the CAD personell trickier in their requests.
>
> Now I am getting grief from all sides. The users are upset that I can't
> help them quick enough, because I already have a lot on my plate. And
> management is upset that I am using so much of my time on non-billable
> work and my projects are late.
>
> I have tried to convince them that I can train some of the other
> draftsmen to take some of the load off of me. This idea was firmly shot
> down. The reasoning is that they can't afford to lose that many people
> for that long, even though I have only asked for an hour a week for two
> months.
>
> It seems like I am at an impasse. After following this newsgroup for
> about two weeks, it seems like my situation is not unique. I could use
> all of your vast and varied experiences in this.
>
> Sincerley,
>
> CMF

--
Gary (Byrd) Vandawalker
Civil Engineering Technician / NY State CADD Coordinator
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
441 South Salina Street, Suite 354
Syracuse, New York 13202
Phone: 315-477-6546
Fax: 315-477-6550
e-mail: gary.vandawalker@ny.usda.gov

[Anonymous]

Basically you have to do what upper management wants, they determine your
future. If you really like doing the CAD support then you may want to push
for a position doing just that. It sounds like it will be hard to convince
management since you must also be doing a great job in engineering. But
with 35 users there should be 1 person who is dedicated to the CAD system to
begin with. If 1 person is supporting and customizing the CAD system and
makes it so that the 35 user's save 15 minutes per day in their work then
his/her salary is basically paid for for the year.

Another option (although this one is hard) is to see if you can get
management to allow you to do a 1 hour class before or after work 1 day per
week for the 8 weeks. Employees would attend on their own time and even if
you teach it for free the 8 hours that you're giving away will be well worth
it in the long run. The problem is that most worker's may not come since
they are not getting paid for it. But the ones who do show up will want to
learn and are smart enough to realize that it will benefit them in the
future.

Or if your company is really understanding maybe you can do it over lunch
and get the company to spring for pizza. $5 per person for pizza and no
lost billing time should be an easy sell and you'll get more people to show
up even if it's only for the free pizza they might pick up a thing or 2.

--
Rodney McManamy - President
MACSolids
Maximizing AutoCAD Solids
www.macsolids.com
"Chris Ferris" wrote in message
news:3B2048AF.BF41507F@hbcommunications.com...
> Hey Guys and Gals,
>
> My story might seem familiar to all of you, but I need some help anyway.
>
> Like most of you, I started out as an average CADie, and slowly
> progressed with AutoCAD. I gradually grew into a user support role. I
> enjoyed the challenge of helping people solve their CAD problems on a
> day to day basis. Unfortunatly the company grew from 7 CAD seats to
> about 35. Needless to say user support has taken up a lot of my time.
> It started to cut into my production time, to the point of 5 hrs of my
> day was spent on user support and 3 was on production.
>
> I have recently been promoted to an Asst. Design Engineer, and everyone
> in the office has been notified, by upper managment, that I will no
> longer be available as a CAD resource. This hasn't stopped the need for
> user support, just made the CAD personell trickier in their requests.
>
> Now I am getting grief from all sides. The users are upset that I can't
> help them quick enough, because I already have a lot on my plate. And
> management is upset that I am using so much of my time on non-billable
> work and my projects are late.
>
> I have tried to convince them that I can train some of the other
> draftsmen to take some of the load off of me. This idea was firmly shot
> down. The reasoning is that they can't afford to lose that many people
> for that long, even though I have only asked for an hour a week for two
> months.
>
> It seems like I am at an impasse. After following this newsgroup for
> about two weeks, it seems like my situation is not unique. I could use
> all of your vast and varied experiences in this.
>
> Sincerley,
>
> CMF
>

[Anonymous]

Rodney has some really good ideas there. The last two, like he said, may be
a bit more difficult. Yet they can still work wonders. they also help people
become more of a team because they see what people are willing to do to make
the company grow.

The problem I had was trying to Produce drawings, CAD Manage and Document
manage on projects with 2,000+ drawings from a database of 10,000+ drawings
all at the same time.

Finally went to mgmt with something like this:

You have X daily users counting me and X part-time users. You're milestones
for projects are this. What happens when you don't reach those milestone
becasue of the lack of CAD support. Or Document Management support (which
was the bigger problem to me). You have liquidated damages on the project to
the tune of $5,000/day. One week of CAD problems on that project and you
have paid somewhere around 1/2 of a CAD managers yearly salary to avoid the
LDs and the impression that is left on your client.

This opened their eyes and made them realize where they needed to be. It
doesn't mean the problem has been fixed. Because it hasn't. I left when they
told me they thought they were three years away from a full CAD manager
position. They still haven't done anything about it and are in the midst of
creating a new office in another state while adding some 35 employees.

Management generally understands only one thing and that's the bottom line.
Attack that as best you can and see where it takes you.

J.

[Anonymous]

I also think that Rodney has brought up some very good ideas. The only problem
is, the attitude around the office is "Chris knows how to fix it, so I don't
have to learn how to." Unless I get some kind of orders to get some one to
train, I don't feel it will catch on.

With out management's support, I don't feel that I can succeed in any training
venture. Although the pizza thing could be a nice last resort.

And to complicate things, I don't want to support CAD users for a living, no
offense to other CAD managers, but it is a thankless job. If I officially
became a CAD manager, that would spell the end of my engineering career. Unless
you guys know something I don't, CAD manager is not a job you can advance from.
It seems more like a destination, rather than a path. Again, I enjoy helping
people, but I don't want to do it 24-7. My heart lies in engineering.

Also, I don't think people would enjoy me being put in a position of authority.
If you had any idea how young I am, you would agree with me.

It wasn't that long ago that I had to sneak into bars.

So needless to say, this is one sticky wicket.

--
Chris Ferris CTS
HB Communications, Inc.
60 Dodge Avenue
North Haven, CT 06473
mailto:cferris@hbcommunications.com
http://www.hbcommunications.com



Jerry Logan wrote:

> Rodney has some really good ideas there. The last two, like he said, may be
> a bit more difficult. Yet they can still work wonders. they also help people
> become more of a team because they see what people are willing to do to make
> the company grow.
>
> The problem I had was trying to Produce drawings, CAD Manage and Document
> manage on projects with 2,000+ drawings from a database of 10,000+ drawings
> all at the same time.
>
> Finally went to mgmt with something like this:
>
> You have X daily users counting me and X part-time users. You're milestones
> for projects are this. What happens when you don't reach those milestone
> becasue of the lack of CAD support. Or Document Management support (which
> was the bigger problem to me). You have liquidated damages on the project to
> the tune of $5,000/day. One week of CAD problems on that project and you
> have paid somewhere around 1/2 of a CAD managers yearly salary to avoid the
> LDs and the impression that is left on your client.
>
> This opened their eyes and made them realize where they needed to be. It
> doesn't mean the problem has been fixed. Because it hasn't. I left when they
> told me they thought they were three years away from a full CAD manager
> position. They still haven't done anything about it and are in the midst of
> creating a new office in another state while adding some 35 employees.
>
> Management generally understands only one thing and that's the bottom line.
> Attack that as best you can and see where it takes you.
>
> J.

[Anonymous]

Them thar's fightin' words in this NG 🙂
--
Bobby C. Jones


"> And to complicate things, I don't want to support CAD users for a living,
no
> offense to other CAD managers, but it is a thankless job. If I officially
> became a CAD manager, that would spell the end of my engineering career.
Unless
> you guys know something I don't, CAD manager is not a job you can advance
from.
> It seems more like a destination, rather than a path. Again, I enjoy
helping
> people, but I don't want to do it 24-7.

[Anonymous]

Don't get me wrong, I have the greatest respect for those stalwart souls that
are the CAD managers of the world, I just don't want to do it for the rest of my
life.

My calling in life is an engineer. It would be like a doctor whose calling in
life was a painter. There is nothing wrong with being a doctor, unless it is
not what you want to do in life. And I feel that my current position would be
seriously comprimised if I were to officially take on CAD manager
responsibilities.

But in that same token, I can't just leave the drafting department high and
dry. I never forget my roots.

Again an impasse is reached...

--
Chris Ferris CTS
HB Communications, Inc.
60 Dodge Avenue
North Haven, CT 06473
mailto:cferris@hbcommunications.com
http://www.hbcommunications.com



Bobby Jones wrote:

> Them thar's fightin' words in this NG 🙂
> --
> Bobby C. Jones
>
>
> "> And to complicate things, I don't want to support CAD users for a living,
> no
> > offense to other CAD managers, but it is a thankless job. If I officially
> > became a CAD manager, that would spell the end of my engineering career.
> Unless
> > you guys know something I don't, CAD manager is not a job you can advance
> from.
> > It seems more like a destination, rather than a path. Again, I enjoy
> helping
> > people, but I don't want to do it 24-7.
>

[Anonymous]

"Chris Ferris" wrote :

> My calling in life is an engineer.
> snip <
>

If your an engineer, be an engineer. Like you stated, you got to do what
you like.

> But in that same token, I can't just leave the drafting department high
and
> dry. I never forget my roots.
>
> Again an impasse is reached...
>
> snip <

No impasse has been reached. I'm sure the other guys in the drafting
department can pick up the things they need to, to do the things your being
forced to. There are not so many stupid people in the world as we would
like to think sometimes. Perhaps you just need to back off to telling them
where to find the answers and the problem will fix it's self. Sometimes we
just have to nudge people in the proper direction.

Quit holding hands and start nudging. You'll feel better and they'll learn
a lot.

Have fun,

Dave

[Anonymous]

Don't mince words, do you?

Anyway, thank you. I appreciate such honesty and bluntness. So you are
thinking of the "tough love" answer?
Maybe that might work.

Maybe have them answer two questions on their own for every one they ask me???
Or something similar to that?

Anyway, I appreciate the suggestion, keep'em coming.

CMF

Dave Seibert wrote:

> "Chris Ferris" wrote :
>
> > My calling in life is an engineer.
> > snip <
> >
>
> If your an engineer, be an engineer. Like you stated, you got to do what
> you like.
>
> > But in that same token, I can't just leave the drafting department high
> and
> > dry. I never forget my roots.
> >
> > Again an impasse is reached...
> >
> > snip <
>
> No impasse has been reached. I'm sure the other guys in the drafting
> department can pick up the things they need to, to do the things your being
> forced to. There are not so many stupid people in the world as we would
> like to think sometimes. Perhaps you just need to back off to telling them
> where to find the answers and the problem will fix it's self. Sometimes we
> just have to nudge people in the proper direction.
>
> Quit holding hands and start nudging. You'll feel better and they'll learn
> a lot.
>
> Have fun,
>
> Dave

[Anonymous]

Chris,

Then, I would say, do not trouble yourself with conflicts. You have been
somewhat selected to provide Cad Support because you have demonstrated
interest on it, and probably because many times you have preferred to spend
your time on Cad issues than in engineering; otherwise nobody would
consider you for a Cad Manager position. But they are considering you for
that, and now that this might become official, you back off and say that
you are really an engineer and cannot be taking care of Cad issues. I would
say, be just one thing, without conflicts, that is better for you and for
the people around you.

Alfredo Medina
alfmedina@hotmail.com
Moderator

Chris Ferris wrote:
>
> Don't get me wrong, I have the greatest respect for those stalwart souls that
> are the CAD managers of the world, I just don't want to do it for the rest of my
> life.
>
> My calling in life is an engineer. It would be like a doctor whose calling in
> life was a painter. There is nothing wrong with being a doctor, unless it is
> not what you want to do in life. And I feel that my current position would be
> seriously comprimised if I were to officially take on CAD manager
> responsibilities.
>
> But in that same token, I can't just leave the drafting department high and
> dry. I never forget my roots.
>
> Again an impasse is reached...
>
(...)

[Anonymous]

"Chris Ferris" wrote
> Don't mince words, do you?
>

Really didn't mean to be blunt, but it seems I come off that way in email.
I think with email you miss all the goofy in between and lose a lot of
context for the bluntness. Oh well.

> Anyway, thank you. I appreciate such honesty and bluntness. So you are
> thinking of the "tough love" answer?
> Maybe that might work.
>

At some point you gotta cut the chord. If you want to give the appropriate
amount of effort to your engineering, then someone is going to have to take
your place in support. I'm sure there is at least one person in drafting
that can do it, if nudged just a little.

Tough Love... yea that's it! Toughest part about it though is to keep
smiling (very important) all the while your shoving them to be self
sufficient.

> Maybe have them answer two questions on their own for every one they ask
me???
> Or something similar to that?
>
> snip <

That's kind of what I was trying to say, yep. Point them in the direction
of the answer, help file, manual, whatever and tell them it's there and not
hard to find and keep on smiling.

Have fun,

Dave

[Anonymous]

> > snip <
...I'm sure the other guys in the drafting department can pick up the things
they need to...

Dave has a good point here. Another way of looking at it would be. At some
point way back when you found the need to make additions to the software
whether it be customization of toolbars or Lisp routines or what have you.

Once you're gone and the group realizes that. Somebody is going to step up.
Almost everyone in this NG has been in that situation. I need this, there is
no one here who can do it. So I'll learn. That's how you probably got all
your CAD knowledge. I know it's how I got most of mine. Teaching myself and
gleaning from this NG. Don't think you're leaving them high and dry. Someone
will get the hint. Or they'll drown.

If you know of someone in the workgroup who has a knack or seems to enjoy
the stuff. Tell them it's there baby now.

My 2cents
Jerry

[Anonymous]

Well I can't ignore good advice. I guess I will have to "cut the cord" as Dave
so eloquently put it. I hate to do it, but it is seeming like that is the only
solution. After thinking about it, if I train the drafting dept, they will
still look to me for answers. And I can think of a few candidates to take over
all the tasks I currently retain from my CADie days. But how do I progress with
this, do I actively "nudge" the candidates, or let them sink or swim for
themselves?

Oh and by the way, you hit the nail on the head with my CAD capabilities. No
one could do the things that I needed to do, or even to know where to look for
them, so I hit the manuals, help files, tutorials, and NG's. If only more
people did that, IT and CAD managers would have a much easier life.

Again thanks for the advice, it is invaluable.

Keep it coming!

CMF

Jerry Logan wrote:

> > > snip <
> ...I'm sure the other guys in the drafting department can pick up the things
> they need to...
>
> Dave has a good point here. Another way of looking at it would be. At some
> point way back when you found the need to make additions to the software
> whether it be customization of toolbars or Lisp routines or what have you.
>
> Once you're gone and the group realizes that. Somebody is going to step up.
> Almost everyone in this NG has been in that situation. I need this, there is
> no one here who can do it. So I'll learn. That's how you probably got all
> your CAD knowledge. I know it's how I got most of mine. Teaching myself and
> gleaning from this NG. Don't think you're leaving them high and dry. Someone
> will get the hint. Or they'll drown.
>
> If you know of someone in the workgroup who has a knack or seems to enjoy
> the stuff. Tell them it's there baby now.
>
> My 2cents
> Jerry

[Anonymous]

>Oh and by the way, you hit the nail on the head with my CAD capabilities.
No
one could do the things that I needed to do, or even to know where to look
for
them, so I hit the manuals, help files, tutorials, and NG's. If only more
people did that, IT and CAD managers would have a much easier life.<

From a managerial standpoint, this "passing of the baton" with no support to
the receiver makes no sense.
Think of all the time that you spent learning your skills. (all not
billable) It's fortunate that you were in a position that you could while on
the job. I did it the same way, but looking back; all that time spent on the
learning curve really didn't do much for my company (especially after I
relocated to a different job years later). It makes more sense for
management to seek out a person skilled to do this job, and with no career
plans otherwise, and avoid non-billable time taken for re-learning this job
every 5 years or so (that seems to be the average length of time that it
takes for someone to be sucked into this position, self-teach themselves how
to do it, and then realize that it is not good for their career and they
want out.)

"Chris Ferris" wrote in message
news:3B240940.B923D7B7@hbcommunications.com...
> Well I can't ignore good advice. I guess I will have to "cut the cord" as
Dave
> so eloquently put it. I hate to do it, but it is seeming like that is the
only
> solution. After thinking about it, if I train the drafting dept, they
will
> still look to me for answers. And I can think of a few candidates to take
over
> all the tasks I currently retain from my CADie days. But how do I
progress with
> this, do I actively "nudge" the candidates, or let them sink or swim for
> themselves?
>
> Oh and by the way, you hit the nail on the head with my CAD capabilities.
No
> one could do the things that I needed to do, or even to know where to look
for
> them, so I hit the manuals, help files, tutorials, and NG's. If only more
> people did that, IT and CAD managers would have a much easier life.
>
> Again thanks for the advice, it is invaluable.
>
> Keep it coming!
>
> CMF
>
> Jerry Logan wrote:
>
> > > > snip <
> > ...I'm sure the other guys in the drafting department can pick up the
things
> > they need to...
> >
> > Dave has a good point here. Another way of looking at it would be. At
some
> > point way back when you found the need to make additions to the software
> > whether it be customization of toolbars or Lisp routines or what have
you.
> >
> > Once you're gone and the group realizes that. Somebody is going to step
up.
> > Almost everyone in this NG has been in that situation. I need this,
there is
> > no one here who can do it. So I'll learn. That's how you probably got
all
> > your CAD knowledge. I know it's how I got most of mine. Teaching myself
and
> > gleaning from this NG. Don't think you're leaving them high and dry.
Someone
> > will get the hint. Or they'll drown.
> >
> > If you know of someone in the workgroup who has a knack or seems to
enjoy
> > the stuff. Tell them it's there baby now.
> >
> > My 2cents
> > Jerry
>

[Anonymous]

On Thu, 7 Jun 2001 20:38:23 -0700, Chris Ferris
wrote:

>Hey Guys and Gals,
>
>My story might seem familiar to all of you, but I need some help anyway.

Chris...I've read this thread and I agree with basically all of
it...so I'll only contribute 2 things...
1) You are not *irreplaceable*...if you were to leave somehow your
'helpdesk' role would be filled by others.
...and...
2) Tell the guys to not be stereotypical males, instead....
RTFM (Read the (EDITED) Manual).

Take this as you will,
RHW

[Anonymous]

Again I can't ignore good advice. Seems like the whole group here is in
accord. Let me just recap and see if I got the message right.

1. Stay the course. The Drafting Dept will learn to coupe.

2. I should help pass the "baton" as it were.

3. Have the Drafting Dept learn all the things I did. If a YFK (Young
(EDITED) Kid) can learn it, so can they.

4. Guide rather than hold hands in the interrim.

Did I get it right?

--
Chris Ferris CTS
Engineering
HB Communications, Inc.
60 Dodge Avenue
North Haven, CT 06473
mailto:cferris@hbcommunications.com
http://www.hbcommunications.com



"Richard H. Weiner" wrote:

> On Thu, 7 Jun 2001 20:38:23 -0700, Chris Ferris
> wrote:
>
> >Hey Guys and Gals,
> >
> >My story might seem familiar to all of you, but I need some help anyway.
>
> Chris...I've read this thread and I agree with basically all of
> it...so I'll only contribute 2 things...
> 1) You are not *irreplaceable*...if you were to leave somehow your
> 'helpdesk' role would be filled by others.
> ...and...
> 2) Tell the guys to not be stereotypical males, instead....
> RTFM (Read the F**king Manual).
>
> Take this as you will,
> RHW

[Anonymous]

Exactly so!

Have fun,
Dave

"Chris Ferris" wrote:
> snip <
>
> Did I get it right?
>
> snip <

[Anonymous]

and remember, as long as you keep obliging, they'll keep demanding. To
paraphrase the build it and they will come, "If you stop, so will they".
They'll go to whoever is filling your vacated CAD lead position, and
you'll be free.

Chris Ferris wrote:
>
> Again I can't ignore good advice. Seems like the whole group here is in
> accord. Let me just recap and see if I got the message right.
>
> 1. Stay the course. The Drafting Dept will learn to coupe.
>
> 2. I should help pass the "baton" as it were.
>
> 3. Have the Drafting Dept learn all the things I did. If a YFK (Young
> (EDITED) Kid) can learn it, so can they.
>
> 4. Guide rather than hold hands in the interrim.
>
> Did I get it right?
>
> --
> Chris Ferris CTS
> Engineering
> HB Communications, Inc.
> 60 Dodge Avenue
> North Haven, CT 06473
> mailto:cferris@hbcommunications.com
> http://www.hbcommunications.com
>
> "Richard H. Weiner" wrote:
>
> > On Thu, 7 Jun 2001 20:38:23 -0700, Chris Ferris
> > wrote:
> >
> > >Hey Guys and Gals,
> > >
> > >My story might seem familiar to all of you, but I need some help anyway.
> >
> > Chris...I've read this thread and I agree with basically all of
> > it...so I'll only contribute 2 things...
> > 1) You are not *irreplaceable*...if you were to leave somehow your
> > 'helpdesk' role would be filled by others.
> > ...and...
> > 2) Tell the guys to not be stereotypical males, instead....
> > RTFM (Read the F**king Manual).
> >
> > Take this as you will,
> > RHW

[Anonymous]

Actually, my solution of "my one answer for every two of yours" is working
great. I keep them honest by having them tell me the two questions that they
answered.



I didn't realize it at the time I thought of it, but having them tell me of the
questions they answered makes them retain the knowledge that they have gained.
And because I don't extend "question credit" they are unwilling to use their
question to me, unless it is a rather complex question and they can't find
answer. My time with user support has easily halved.

But thanks again to everyone for all their help.

CMF

phil wrote:

> and remember, as long as you keep obliging, they'll keep demanding. To
> paraphrase the build it and they will come, "If you stop, so will they".
> They'll go to whoever is filling your vacated CAD lead position, and
> you'll be free.
>
> Chris Ferris wrote:
> >
> > Again I can't ignore good advice. Seems like the whole group here is in
> > accord. Let me just recap and see if I got the message right.
> >
> > 1. Stay the course. The Drafting Dept will learn to coupe.
> >
> > 2. I should help pass the "baton" as it were.
> >
> > 3. Have the Drafting Dept learn all the things I did. If a YFK (Young
> > (EDITED) Kid) can learn it, so can they.
> >
> > 4. Guide rather than hold hands in the interrim.
> >
> > Did I get it right?
> >
> > --
> > Chris Ferris CTS
> > Engineering
> > HB Communications, Inc.
> > 60 Dodge Avenue
> > North Haven, CT 06473
> > mailto:cferris@hbcommunications.com
> > http://www.hbcommunications.com
> >
> > "Richard H. Weiner" wrote:
> >
> > > On Thu, 7 Jun 2001 20:38:23 -0700, Chris Ferris
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > >Hey Guys and Gals,
> > > >
> > > >My story might seem familiar to all of you, but I need some help anyway.
> > >
> > > Chris...I've read this thread and I agree with basically all of
> > > it...so I'll only contribute 2 things...
> > > 1) You are not *irreplaceable*...if you were to leave somehow your
> > > 'helpdesk' role would be filled by others.
> > > ...and...
> > > 2) Tell the guys to not be stereotypical males, instead....
> > > RTFM (Read the F**king Manual).
> > >
> > > Take this as you will,
> > > RHW

[Anonymous]

Chris,
I like that approach.... I try use it the other way. Every question I get .. gets
this answer plus another tip or related explanation of the software usually with
the "why we do it that way". Kind of like a two for one deal. Many here only want
the immediate solution and are always one step behind the rest. Those that want to
learn and work efficient do, the rest just try and get by. I try and instill the
thinking that "you are always setting yourself up for the next time you need to
work this file". Any thing I can do now to help later is good for the process. I
usually have less time later on a project than I have now. Just remember nothing
works flawlessly. I have been working in the civil/ construction industry for over
20 yrs and have yet to see a project both in house and in the field that does not
have some problem to overcome (some large, some small).

Ron Meicho
Cad Manager
Gray & Osborne, Inc.