COGEN'S NEW DIRECTION IS SELF-DIRECTION
Electricity deregulation means that Watson Cogen may eventually sell at least part of the more than 400 megawatts it generates on the open market. And that's a big change for Cogen, which has sold power exclusively to LAR and Edison since it began in 1988.
But Cogen is ready, thanks to a move it made two years ago. After operating technicians asked to be more involved in the business, the Cogen team (operators, maintenance, and administration) embraced self-direction.
Middle supervisory levels were
eliminated. And operators began performing foreman functions like
staffing, training, communication and environmental. "We
encouraged operators to run the plant day-to-day, learn the business,
and generate money-making ideas," says Production Manager
Bob Middlemore.
Middlemore likes the results. "Operators and maintenance people have generated many ideas. And self-direction is giving our people the confidence they'll need to make quick, on-the-spot decisions in a deregulated market."
He adds: "Making good, timely market decisions is essential to our success. Self-direction has helped prepare our people for whatever deregulation may bring."
Cogen Manager Pat King communicates openly about the business and encourages personal growth. In weekly meetings and special presentations, the Cogen team is updated on business information that impacts Cogen and the electricity industry.
"I look forward to the day when every Cogen operator can make a spot decision on how much we should buy and sell power for on the open market on any given day," King says.
Operators like self-direction. "It's created a better work environment because we don't have someone looking over our shoulders," says operator Gregg Grant.
Vonya Sanders says scheduling goes smoother now. Says John O'Malley: "Decision making has improved because those closest to the plant can make and implement decisions faster and better."