Bjorn's Work Day

[zion]

Bjorn,
I have a question for you...What is a "typical" day for you? With your own pedals, the MP amp and pedal projects, and all of the communications (including this site) keeping you busy, could you give a run-down of your day. Just curious....Thanks

[BJF]

Hi,



Haha, well I'd start in the morning reading mail and having coffee and sending the kids to school.
Then answer the mails I can answer right away, check in with factory in Finland on latest progress and answering questions on MP projects I might just have tested a prototype and must also ask for parts to look for for future projects and relay feedback- at the moment there are several pedal models and one amp in progress. Then onto pedal building, one day starting with making pcb's, that's printing the raster and drilling and painting the traces, then onto mounting of mechanical parts, cutting excess lenghts of potshafts and then mounting potentiometers usually while giving telephone support or picking up loose ends. Then a short break for more coffe and checking in on this board and some others. Then onto wiring inside pedals. Take a break and play a bit just to keep up. Then searching for a schematic to look at and contemplate what to do with while continuing wiring thinking of what to answer to a mail or a post. Then a break to give my eldest daughter something to eat as she comes home from school and might remember to eat something myself. More coffee and I'll write an answer to more complicated mail or a post. Then picking up the pcb's, and more wiring and more coffee until it's time to pick up youngest daughter from school, and make dinner do the dishes and then some more wiring while on the phone with somebody. Then help out with homework. Check mail and posts answer something and then read a bedtime story.Then finishing wiring. Check mail again and write some answers and taking moments of silence resting in thoughts contemplating future projects and new ideas and maybe making a plan for helping a friend help himself, which is a useful distraction.Sometimes I then write a long post, save it as I am too tired to log in or maybe I am so worked up so I do log in.

It is the evening and the end of the day soon to be dead of night

Once every other week I make a trip to various suppliers, have lunch with my wife and if I am not down in a basement drilling boxes, I might have time for meeting a friend or a collegue and it's refreshing seeing a friendly face over a cup of coffe.

Each day is different in some way and that is something I am thankfull for-
yes I have worked in monoton job situations aswell, actually in many capacities, but this one is the most fun yet

About 30% of my workday includes answering questions of some sort either by phone or mail and therefore forums are very convienient as the same question asked many times in mail can be answered in one thought out post. I believe in communication and feel it spurs my mind at least with new thoughts or better formulations:
I think I'd totally loose interest without communication, so while forums and answering mails take a lot of time,
I do not underestimate the value of information given, usually I can work while on the phone and also when reading and I have anyway much time to think
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btJvIQcPlyg

" If It's so Quiet, Why Don't You Come here and Play" The Rude Kids


Building pedals is a lot of mechanical work and the most fun when they actually are ready for testing, but the best fun is had when a pedal comes to a good home. You know without the feedback on new designs and old for that matter making pedals would be just factory work but feedback makes the windmill spin.

I also think it is important to be personal- at first I thought it best to have a company front, like BJF Electronics has this answer in this matter, but when the then Japanese distributor wanted to make a factory tour to inspect the factory facilities, it dawned on me that even if I make pedals until I am 79, I'd have made very few pedals by my own hands and each and everyone matters to me

Oh and this year and I guess that was part of the question there has been a lot of time spent on research, drawing of schematics and explaining circuits and trimming methods for the upcoming MP pedals and MP amplification as a whole and also more shows and lectures, travelling and building bridges over seas, but I have anyway kept up with pedal production as any year before, while also clearing out things in the distribution net trying to make everybody happy, and I have also this year done more personal consultation setting up effects systems and made customshop models in the name of reasearch and fun and I am happy to have been able to merge the Plum Phaser and the Folk Phaser into one for instance and see that come to life at factory while still making as many Honey Bees as the year before-actually I even got 7 days vacation this year allthough somewhat combined with work and fun.
I have on my mind now to go through order system and the distribution system in the hopes to make that more efficient and more people happy. Ah no running a company that makes pedals, writes columns,designs circuits,holds lectures is not just that but also keeping in touch and evolving.
In 2003 when the USD fell and the japanese market collapsed and orders on BJF pedals freezed I realized that this company needs more models and better aligned to what people want and the way I could do that was through feedback. If it wasn't for my very dear friend Don and many more dear friends like Dean and Harri I'd have thrown in the towel then. Today though life is filled with more work than ever squeezed in ontop of making pedals. I wished I had more quality time for my kids, while I think thoughit's great to atleast have the ability to be there, something my own father very rarely could.

Yes, I strive for making everything work and getting more people happy and more content, and can only do that through your support.

Studiopro Micke 'Nord' Andersson told me I should go out and teach more and if Tomo Fujita's suggestion is still open I'd jump at lecturing on the sound of the electric guitar.

I think my everyday will change, I'd like to read a book and go see Fritz Lang's whole movie production again, and some day cut the roses and write novels but this weekend is Honeybee and Emerald and Candy Apple weekend and frankly I do enjoy making pedals so much I can't visualize not doing that, and yes I am 42 and no longer a member of the cinema society and my readingchar went in the trash a 10 years ago.

While the blackbird sings I enjoy painting pedals- it's been a long process and it's actually how I met Don in the first place.
I find that interesting how sounds relate to colours and words and backwards and would there be a picture that might catch another angle.

Ah and these are things going through my head all day and all of the night.
Somebody just called me and asked :" When do you sleep my friend?"
I just played him the sound I had from 20 years ago over the phone

Well as a young guitarist at the age of 16 I'd play all night long and wonder if I'd ever sleep just four hours like my friends mother who was a hotshot politician at the time........I don't really know if I have a good answer other than solitude and contemplation is rest and I am thankful for all sleep I get and I'd enjoy sleep as much as being alive just differently

Yes I guess it's been a long day's journey into night

Thanks for asking and I shall remember to put this question more often to friends

Be most well and have fun
BJ

[Eskimo_Joe]

Thanks for sharing Bjorn! That is probably the best post I've ever read on any site. You're amazing!

[EyeFly]

Zion,

Thanks for asking a very intriguing question...took a bit of thought for that one and there will be a great many who wish to know the answer...


Bjorn,

Thanks for your timely and articulate response. I should think you would be a prolific lecturer if given the time. I'm a few years older but certainly none wiser. I have a couple of comments which will take up even a bit more of your time but are worth mentioning.

It is clear that you enjoy what you do and you are obviously quite good at it. You should know that WE enjoy what YOU do as well and pleasure is derived not only from the tone but from the "colors of tone". My youngest daughter is approaching her 17th birthday and she looks forward to my receiving a new BJFE product, I think as much as I, but for different reasons. She likes the finishes and scurries to "open the box" to see the paintings on the inside. Its a small thing for sure but I just thought you might like to know that.

Providing and parenting; there's a difficult combination but well worth the effort don't you think. Enjoy your children! They grow quickly. It is clear that you have established your priorities. How old are your children if you don't mind my asking?

You certainly have made some wonderful friends and, although I've not met them, Donner and Harri are both world class, in my humble opinion.

Through your work and that of Donner, Harri, and many others, a forum like this exists and gives people from all over the world the oportunity to share ideas, thoughts, knowledge, feedback, laughter, joy, hardship and tears. I have not long been a member but recognized straight away that the collective wealth of knowledge maintained by the members of this forum was beyond fiscal value....to quote a popular credit card commercial....priceless.

The hour is late here as well and tomorrow will be a busy day for the both of us. On rereading your response, you may well be the only man alive who consumes more coffee than I. Find a good book, take your wife to the cinema, and thanks for all your hard work!!

corky

[DocRock]

This thread has brought me smiles, and I can always use more of those!!!

Doc

[I am Incinerator]

This thread just shows that there are still good business people out there in the world. Thank you for taking some time out to explain your day to your fans and customers.

Sounds like you have a busy weekend ahead of you (I hope my Honey Bee and Emerald green are in there somewhere ), hopefully you'll find some time for you and your family.

Cheers

[zion]

Thanks BJ. You know I've had at least 2 "special requests" this year involving pedals and you never even hesitated. I really appreciate it and seeing how your day goes makes me appreciate it that much more. THANKS!

[pepperco]

Thanks for taking the time to post !

Chris

[melodichaotic]

Hi,



Haha, well I'd start in the morning reading mail and having coffee and sending the kids to school.
Then answer the mails I can answer right away, check in with factory in Finland on latest progress and answering questions on MP projects I might just have tested a prototype and must also ask for parts to look for for future projects and relay feedback- at the moment there are several pedal models and one amp in progress. Then onto pedal building, one day starting with making pcb's, that's printing the raster and drilling and painting the traces, then onto mounting of mechanical parts, cutting excess lenghts of potshafts and then mounting potentiometers usually while giving telephone support or picking up loose ends. Then a short break for more coffe and checking in on this board and some others. Then onto wiring inside pedals. Take a break and play a bit just to keep up. Then searching for a schematic to look at and contemplate what to do with while continuing wiring thinking of what to answer to a mail or a post. Then a break to give my eldest daughter something to eat as she comes home from school and might remember to eat something myself. More coffee and I'll write an answer to more complicated mail or a post. Then picking up the pcb's, and more wiring and more coffee until it's time to pick up youngest daughter from school, and make dinner do the dishes and then some more wiring while on the phone with somebody. Then help out with homework. Check mail and posts answer something and then read a bedtime story.Then finishing wiring. Check mail again and write some answers and taking moments of silence resting in thoughts contemplating future projects and new ideas and maybe making a plan for helping a friend help himself, which is a useful distraction.Sometimes I then write a long post, save it as I am too tired to log in or maybe I am so worked up so I do log in.

It is the evening and the end of the day soon to be dead of night

Once every other week I make a trip to various suppliers, have lunch with my wife and if I am not down in a basement drilling boxes, I might have time for meeting a friend or a collegue and it's refreshing seeing a friendly face over a cup of coffe.

Each day is different in some way and that is something I am thankfull for-
yes I have worked in monoton job situations aswell, actually in many capacities, but this one is the most fun yet

About 30% of my workday includes answering questions of some sort either by phone or mail and therefore forums are very convienient as the same question asked many times in mail can be answered in one thought out post. I believe in communication and feel it spurs my mind at least with new thoughts or better formulations:
I think I'd totally loose interest without communication, so while forums and answering mails take a lot of time,
I do not underestimate the value of information given, usually I can work while on the phone and also when reading and I have anyway much time to think
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btJvIQcPlyg

" If It's so Quiet, Why Don't You Come here and Play" The Rude Kids


Building pedals is a lot of mechanical work and the most fun when they actually are ready for testing, but the best fun is had when a pedal comes to a good home. You know without the feedback on new designs and old for that matter making pedals would be just factory work but feedback makes the windmill spin.

I also think it is important to be personal- at first I thought it best to have a company front, like BJF Electronics has this answer in this matter, but when the then Japanese distributor wanted to make a factory tour to inspect the factory facilities, it dawned on me that even if I make pedals until I am 79, I'd have made very few pedals by my own hands and each and everyone matters to me

Oh and this year and I guess that was part of the question there has been a lot of time spent on research, drawing of schematics and explaining circuits and trimming methods for the upcoming MP pedals and MP amplification as a whole and also more shows and lectures, travelling and building bridges over seas, but I have anyway kept up with pedal production as any year before, while also clearing out things in the distribution net trying to make everybody happy, and I have also this year done more personal consultation setting up effects systems and made customshop models in the name of reasearch and fun and I am happy to have been able to merge the Plum Phaser and the Folk Phaser into one for instance and see that come to life at factory while still making as many Honey Bees as the year before-actually I even got 7 days vacation this year allthough somewhat combined with work and fun.
I have on my mind now to go through order system and the distribution system in the hopes to make that more efficient and more people happy. Ah no running a company that makes pedals, writes columns,designs circuits,holds lectures is not just that but also keeping in touch and evolving.
In 2003 when the USD fell and the japanese market collapsed and orders on BJF pedals freezed I realized that this company needs more models and better aligned to what people want and the way I could do that was through feedback. If it wasn't for my very dear friend Don and many more dear friends like Dean and Harri I'd have thrown in the towel then. Today though life is filled with more work than ever squeezed in ontop of making pedals. I wished I had more quality time for my kids, while I think thoughit's great to atleast have the ability to be there, something my own father very rarely could.

Yes, I strive for making everything work and getting more people happy and more content, and can only do that through your support.

Studiopro Micke 'Nord' Andersson told me I should go out and teach more and if Tomo Fujita's suggestion is still open I'd jump at lecturing on the sound of the electric guitar.

I think my everyday will change, I'd like to read a book and go see Fritz Lang's whole movie production again, and some day cut the roses and write novels but this weekend is Honeybee and Emerald and Candy Apple weekend and frankly I do enjoy making pedals so much I can't visualize not doing that, and yes I am 42 and no longer a member of the cinema society and my readingchar went in the trash a 10 years ago.

While the blackbird sings I enjoy painting pedals- it's been a long process and it's actually how I met Don in the first place.
I find that interesting how sounds relate to colours and words and backwards and would there be a picture that might catch another angle.

Ah and these are things going through my head all day and all of the night.
Somebody just called me and asked :" When do you sleep my friend?"
I just played him the sound I had from 20 years ago over the phone

Well as a young guitarist at the age of 16 I'd play all night long and wonder if I'd ever sleep just four hours like my friends mother who was a hotshot politician at the time........I don't really know if I have a good answer other than solitude and contemplation is rest and I am thankful for all sleep I get and I'd enjoy sleep as much as being alive just differently

Yes I guess it's been a long day's journey into night

Thanks for asking and I shall remember to put this question more often to friends

Be most well and have fun
BJ

Best asked question, period, and even better(to put it lightly) answer.

EVERYONE HERE WHO HASN'T ALREADY, NEEDS TO READ THIS 3X OVER, except for Donner of course, AND THEN ONE MORE TIME FOR GOOD MEASURE!

Thank you BJ, my already large appreciation has increased 10-fold!!

[ptbarnum]

This thread has brought me smiles, and I can always use more of those!!!

Doc

Well said +1