ASME Approves China Association of Special Equipment Inspectio...

ASME Approves China Association of Special Equipment Inspectio... ASME Approves China Association of Special Equipment Inspectio... ASME Approves China Association of Special Equipment Inspection as a Designated Testing OrganizationRepresentatives from ASME and CASEI at the Designated Testing Organization agreement signing on Oct. 18 (Front row, left to right) Leona Fu, manager of operations, ASME Beijing Office Jon Labrador, president, ASME PC Shuqing Lin, president, CASEI Pei Yong, deputy secretary-general, CASEI. (Back row, left to right) Daniel Wang, manager of technology and business development, ASME Beijing Office Erin Sun, program specialist, ASME Beijing Office John Zhang, chief representative, ASME Beijing Office Paul Lang, quality manager, ASME PC Lauren Powers, SC project engineering advisor, ASME Shen Gang, secretary general, CASEI Dr. Zheng Yang, senior engineer, CASEI.China Association of Special Equipment Inspection (CASEI) welches recently approved by the American So ciety of Mechanical Engineers Personal Certification LLC (ASME PC) as the second Designated Testing Organization and first located outside the United States for the new ANDE-1 Standard for Certifying Non-Destructive Examiners and Quality Control. The agreement was signed at a ceremony on Oct. 18 in Beijing by Shuqing Lin, CASEI president Jon Labrador, ASME PC LLC president and Paul Lang, ASME PC LLC quality manager, who worked through details over the past year to make the partnership possible.As a Designated Testing Organization (DTO), CASEI will be able to administer the practical demonstration portion of the ANDE-1 Personnel Certification process. Organizations must enter into an agreement with ASME PC, implement an ASME PC compliant quality program, and be subject to annual ASME PC audits for compliance in order to be selected as a DTO. Last November, Chattanooga State Community College in Tennessee was named the first DTO for the ANDE-1 standard by ASME PC.Non-destructive exa mination (NDE) is the collection of methods to inspect werkstoff and determine whether surface or substance flaws are present that may cause material failure. Because NDE does not permanently damage the item being examined, it is a reliable and efficient inspection technique with applications in product evaluation, troubleshooting, research and repair. (Foreground, left to right) Jon Labrador, president of ASME PC, and CASEI President Shuqing Lin shake hands following the signing of the DTO agreement last month in Beijing.ASME Personnel Certification is pleased to collaborate with CASEI on the ANDE-1 Standard for Certifying Nondestructive Examiners and Quality Control and we are proud to name CASEI as ASMEs second testing organization for this important certification program, said ASME Executive Director Thomas Costabile. CASEI and ASME have a long history in bringing and promoting ASME Standards and Certification to China. Now we begin again in bringing ASME Personne l Certification to China. This is a strong partnership that shares a commitment to engineering excellence, professional development and engineering workforce quality.For 36 years, CASEI has provided high-quality inspection and examination for NDE to its workforce that has been driving progress and innovation in the manufacturing area, added Shuqing Lin, president of CASEI. This new exciting partnership with ASME PC is yet another example of how CASEI is committed to meeting the challenges of the Chinese industry.ASMEs Beijing Representative Office was an instrumental part of this collaboration with CASEI and the approval of the organization as a Designated Testing Organization. Through this office, ASME PC was able to facilitate teleconferences, emails and presentations with CASEI during the last two years as CASEI prepared for its onsite survey to be named an ANDE DTO. ASME has had an established presence in China since China opened its doors to the rest of the world more than 40 y ears ago. In order to further accommodate the needs of ASMEs partners, clients and customers in China, the Society set up a representative office in Beijing in 2008 with the primary objective of facilitating and supporting ASMEs core businesses in China, including standards development, certification, technical exchange, publishing, and education and training. Thanks to the effective cooperation of ASME partners in China, ASME has achieved more sustaining and remarkable progress in China since then, said Zhang (John) Qiang, executive director, ASME Asia Pacific.For more information on the ASME PC ANDE Certification program, contact Matthew Carnino, certification manager, ASME PC, at ANDEasme.org or visit www.asmepcllc.org/ANDE-index.html.

39 questions to help you make small talk with anyone

39 questions to help you make small talk with anyone39 questions to help you make small talk with anyoneTheres nothing quite like breaking the conversational barrier with a friend or co-worker. In order to reach that level of chummy rapport, though, you have to endure a bit of small talk.Lots of people find it difficult to make small talk, and its no surprise why Youre often going in cold, trying to understand someone about whom you know nothing. Small talk can be a great catalyst for real conversation - and get you to your end goal of facilitating a friendly rapport with someone - but you have to know how to do it.The following are 39 of the best questions you can have up your sleeve when you need to make small talk with someone. Forego the traditional weather-related questions and delve deeper to find your commonalities and their quirks. These little things are what makes the difference between acquaintances and friends, and you can uncover them with even the littlest bit of conv ersational finesse.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreWhats the brde book you read? Would you recommend it?What charities or social causes do you support?Whats the quirkiest thing about the town where you grew up?What was your first job?What animal do you think is your spirit animal - the animal that best represents who you are?Whats your best party trick? Any other hidden talents?How did you get into your field of work? Would you like to try something different?Whats the best restaurant in your area of the city?Whats the most exotic food youve ever tried?Which item on your bucket list will be the easiest to tackle? The most difficult?Tell me one out-of-the-ordinary thing about your day today.Whats your favorite accessory to wear? How many do you own?Whats the best thing youve ever bought at a thrift shop/flea market/yard sale?Would you rather explore a new city or relax on the b each when you go on vacation?If you could have any superpower, what would you spielblttchen?Whats your guilty pleasure TV show/musical artist/movie?What city have you visited that you found most inspiring?How did you choose your major in college?When you were young, what did you want to be as a grown-up?What was your first car? What do you use for transportation now?How do you clear your mind after a long day?What film last made you laugh?Whats the most unbelievable-but-true thing thats ever happened to you?Where have you traveled that inspired you?What non-work, passion project are you working on?Do you follow the zodiac? Do you think your sign represents you?If you had a free round-trip airplane ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go?Whats the best concert youve ever seen?Who in your life would you choose to be your lebensgefhrte on The Amazing Race?Whats your go-to meal to cook if you want to impress a dinner guest?Do you collect anything? Why?Whats the best advice a nyone has ever given to you?What musical act are you dying to see live?What was your senior quote in your high school yearbook?Have you ever loved a movie that critics hated, or vice-versa?What was your favorite teen movie?What podcast(s) do you listen to to get you through the commute?Do you take any classes or practice a particular hobby? Would you like to?Whats the craziest way youve ever traveled? Hot-air balloon, camel, blimp ?Finish it offOnce you have memorized the small talk questions you want to use at your next party or networking event, brush up on your delivery. Even if youre not one to make small talk, with an waffenvorrat full of questions you can ask with confidence, youll be chatting it up in no time at all.Its also not a bad idea to rehearse how youll make your exit from the conversation. You dont want to leave someone questioning the entire conversation because you didnt know how to properly bid him or her farewell. So, excuse yourself politely and end things on a high.Finally, always learn the persons name and remember it the next time you see him or her, whether its later at the same party or at another gathering. Theres a difference between listening and hearing, and relationships are formed only when youre really hearing what someone has to say. And, even though its small talk, you can still learn a lot if youre paying attention.Now get out there and socialize without an ounce of dread. You know what youre doing, and youll be very pleased that you practiced.Thisarticlewas originally published onYourCoffeeBreak.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

The 5 Kinds of Co-workers Successful People Know to Avoid

The 5 Kinds of Co-workers Successful People Know to AvoidThe 5 Kinds of Co-workers Successful People Know to AvoidSuccessful people often share a powerful principle, brilliantly encapsulated in a quote from entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker Jim Rohn You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.I first heard this quote seven years ago, and it prompted me to think seriously about the people closest to me, and how they affected me. And I learned how much negative people can affect me without me realizing it.My own success increased rapidly when I took an honest look at the people around me and replaced negative relationships with positive, empowering individuals who would support and inspire me.Here are five toxic rollealities you should remove from your life immediately1. The HaterMeet the relentless complainer, the person who perpetually sees the negative in everything. The hater complains about the world, blames others for her lack of success, and criticize the brave souls who try to achieve something of value.Negativity is contagious, so the danger with this person is that she will expect you to keep her misery company. In time, she could make you believe its okay to be a hater, too.Successful people dont spend time with haters, but with other successful, positive people. Youll do yourself a favor by removing this person from your life.2. The Envious OneA friend or colleague who is envious wont celebrate your victories or support your dreams. He covets the life youre aspiring to create, in large part because he doesnt believe in his own ability to achieve the saatkorn success.Being an employee, a boss, or a co-worker is hard enough. Choose to surround yourself with people who can be genuinely happy for your micro-achievements and champion your long-term aspirations.3. The FlakeThis personality type routinely backs out of commitments and expects you to accommodate her ever-changing schedule (and whims). Your time is valuable, but the flake doesnt respect that notion.If a friend or associate cant honor your plans, meet you halfway, and arrive on time, then use those instances to state and enforce your boundaries. Learning to take care of yourself first, and respect your time, will also help you in other areas of your life and work.4. The Guilt TripperHeres the herausforderung with guilt You cant dream when someone makes you feel guilty for desiring better. You cant capture value when youve learned to feel guilty for asking to be paid what youre worth.If youre like me, youre still trying to resolve some of the guilt learned from childhood or other past experiences. At times, I found it difficult to focus on myself because I was too busy accepting the guilt others were placing on me.Do your best to identify and distance yourself from people who make you feel guilty. This one is hard, because its often family members engaging in this behavior.Its easy for me to say that you should distance yourself from a p arent or a sibling- but that doesnt make it any less true. Ive had to do this myself, and I can tell you Its possible to find a healthy medium between keeping family in your life and detaching from their guilt.5. The Perpetually FearfulThere are people around you who are simply afraid to go for it. They view life through a lens of fear and lack the basic belief that things will work out for the best.That is the exact opposite energy you need, especially while youre starting out.As personal-development legend Bob Proctor said, If you see it in your mind, you will hold it in your hand. Avoid fearful people with limiting beliefs, and embrace your visions of success instead.If you think youre immune to the people listed above, think again. These personality types will overtly or subconsciously influence your life and affect the energy in your space.Want evidence? Spend 24 hours with a friend who cusses like a sailor. Youll start cussing too. That same principle works with hate, envy, fe ar, and self-doubt.The opposite is also true. If you surround yourself with positive people, youll find yourself more positive and successful.Remember our opening quote from Jim Rohn? Take the necessary steps to ensure the five people closest to you exhibit the traits you want to emulate as you reach for greater personal development and success.More From Inc.Beware Working With Jerks Can Turn You Into a Jerk at Home, Study Shows25 Phrases That Kill Workplace Relationships6 Subtle Signs Your Relationships at Work Are Breaking DownPhoto of woman serious courtesy of Portra/Getty Images.