Love it or loathe it, networking is an essential component of today’s business world. Aside from some extroverts who thrive on the social engagement involved in networking and love cold-calling and working a room, many see it as a somewhat superficial exercise that lacks authenticity. However, the research says something different. According to Neil Munz-Jones, author of ‘The Reluctant Networker (not an affiliate link)’, up to 70% of positions are filled via networking and he has numerous stories of how networking led to the sale of new consulting projects.
Continue reading “Learning to Love Networking”Mining Workhorses – The Top Contenders
They are the behemoths of the mining landscape and each year the major players manage to make them bigger, faster, more operationally efficient and even more comfortable. In 2020 the biggest beasts come from the giants in the field – Belaz, Caterpillar, Liebherr, Terex (re-branded as Bucyrus) and Komatsu all with dump trucks jockeying for position.
Continue reading “Mining Workhorses – The Top Contenders”Become a Better Leader in 5 Steps
Have you ever doubted your leadership skills, or thought maybe perhaps because you haven’t studied business management you wouldn’t be very good at it? The truth is, we all have the ability to become a leader as incredible as Ivan Glasenberg, CEO of Glencore.
First 100 Days as a Graduate on Site
Your first 100 days as a graduate mining engineer on a new mine site is crucial. Like any other role or profession, it is important to get an understanding on how to make the maximum impact in your new role. If you get it right from the beginning, you can continue to enjoy accelerated success in your career ambitions. The first 100 days or first three months is usually seen as ‘the settling in’ period. It is the time to demonstrate early actions, wins and tangible deliverables to relevant stakeholders.
Continue reading “First 100 Days as a Graduate on Site”Thinking of being a mining engineer? Here’s what to expect
You have read every prospectus for every engineering course in the country and in theory the job looks ok. You have looked into the various roles throughout the entire mining process from exploration and feasibility studies through to build, production and even mine closure and land rehabilitation. But what is life actually like as a mining engineer? What should you realistically expect?
Continue reading “Thinking of being a mining engineer? Here’s what to expect”Being a resilient leader in the wake of COVID-19
Written by MEC Mining’s Technical Services Manager, Erin Sweeney
The human brain is an amazing thing, it is the central control of our bodies keeping us alive. It stores our memories and uses them helps us navigate and assign meaning to the complex world of interacting with other humans, things and events by linking emotions to the myriad of data coming in from our sensors all in an effort to keep us safe and alive. If we leave this process on auto-control our lives can quickly get overwhelming when we face times that are Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous.
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VUCA Planning: what does a resilient mine plan look like?
Many of us have entered 2020 with a great deal of trepidation. It seems the only thing we can rely on this year is taxes and death (too soon?). The world is becoming increasingly volatile and uncertainty reigns supreme, as such it is probably time we started to accept this as the new normal. If it isn’t the Coronavirus it will be a long drought, a flood, a supply chain disruption or a tech disruption that will cause us to have to suddenly change tack. But how do you plan for disruption when you have no idea what will cause it in the future.
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Why everyone needs to do personal brand
Think personal branding isn’t for you? Think again.
Far from an exercise in vanity or the preserve of ambitious entrepreneurs, personal branding is valuable to anyone pursuing any kind of career. Here’s why.
Scaffolding the ‘new normal’; how to support virtual teams
What seemed like a radical change to our way of working only a few months ago has very quickly become familiar. Social distancing means more people working from home, fewer opportunities for ad hoc team engagement and more chances to feel disengaged from workmates.
It’s important to recognise the impact of this change, not only on your team but yourself as their leader – to ensure everyone is supported to work safely and efficiently.
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Safety culture in mining: why it matters and how to improve it
How would you describe your organisation’s safety culture? And how important is it to the safety and profitability of your mining operations?
We all know that mining businesses have to be vigilant and work hard to comply with legislative safety standards. Regulations are extensive because of the high level of risk and complexity associated with mining operations. Mining companies are responsible for the safety of the people working on their sites. At MEC Mining, ensuring that all workers return home safely is at the core of what we do.
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