Industrial Talk is onsite at Xcelerate 2026 and talking to Salim Jaffer, Strategic Account Manager at Mobius Institute about "Reliability success = Culture".

Overview

The conversation features Salim Jaffer, a strategic account manager at Mobius Institute, discussing his extensive experience in the industry, particularly in reliability and root cause analysis (RCA). He highlights his background with companies like Bentley Nevada, GE, Baker Hughes, and Emerson, and his current role in developing partnerships and training in the Gulf Coast region. Jaffer emphasizes the importance of RCA, the need for a cultural shift towards reliability, and the role of data in predictive maintenance. He also promotes Mobius Institute's professional training programs, which cover various aspects of asset management and reliability, including vibration analysis, lube oil analysis, and ultrasound training.

Outline

Fluke Xcelerate Event Overview

Scott introduces the Industrial Talk podcast, sponsored by Fluke, highlighting the Xcelerate event.
The event focused on reliability, predictive maintenance tools, and AI diagnostics.
Scott emphasizes the importance of real-world strategies for teams to use today.
Fluke is praised for their contributions to smarter, faster, and reliable operations.

Introduction to the Podcast and Salim Jaffer

Scott reiterates the podcast's mission to celebrate industry professionals and their contributions.
The event, Xcelerate, is being held in Austin, Texas, and is sponsored by Fluke.
Salim Jaffer is introduced as the guest, representing Mobius Institute and other organizations.

Salim Jaffer's Background and Experience

Salim Jaffer shares his extensive experience in the industry, including 30+ years with various companies.
He details his time with Bentley Nevada, GE, Baker Hughes, and Emerson, focusing on reliability solutions.
Salim is currently a strategic account manager for Mobius Institute, covering the Gulf Coast region.
He discusses his role in developing partnerships and representing the Mobius Institute brand.

Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Human Nature

Salim explains his three-hour session on root cause analysis (RCA) at the Xcelerate event.
He emphasizes the importance of RCA and shares personal anecdotes about his instinctive problem-solving nature.
The conversation touches on the challenges of human nature in plant operations and the need for a collective approach to reliability.
Salim highlights the importance of training and cultural change to foster a shared responsibility for reliability.

Challenges in Plant Operations and Reliability Culture

Salim discusses the common issue of plant managers claiming everything is fine, despite obvious problems.
He shares examples of hidden issues, such as broken sensors and improperly set-up equipment.
The conversation explores the need for a culture where everyone understands and supports reliability efforts.
Salim mentions the General Electric (GE) culture change training and its effectiveness in fostering a shared responsibility for reliability.

The Role of Technology and Data in Reliability

Salim and Scott discuss the evolving role of technology, particularly AI, in predictive maintenance.
Salim shares his experience with AI and neural networks in the early 2000s, emphasizing the importance of data.
The conversation highlights the need for clean data and the challenges of working with historical data.
Salim promotes Mobius Institute's training programs, which include hands-on experience with data and tools.

Mobius Institute's Training and Certification Programs

Salim provides an overview of Mobius Institute's professional training programs.
The training covers various aspects of reliability, including vibration analysis, lube oil analysis, and ultrasound.
Salim emphasizes the importance of the Asset Reliability Professional (ARP) program, which is certified by ISO.
The ARP program offers training at different levels, from entry to leadership, focusing on improving reliability through systematic methodologies.

Conclusion and Contact Information

Salim reiterates the importance of education and continuous improvement in the field of reliability.
He encourages listeners to reach out to him via LinkedIn for further discussions.
Scott Mackenzie wraps up the podcast, highlighting the importance of human connection and storytelling in the industrial field.
The podcast concludes with a reminder to visit Mobius Institute's website for more information and to stay tuned for future episodes.

If interested in being on the Industrial Talk show, simply contact us and let's have a quick conversation. Finally, get your exclusive free access to the Industrial Academy and a series on “Why You Need To Podcast” for Greater Success in 2026. All links designed for keeping you current in this rapidly changing Industrial Market. Learn! Grow! Enjoy!

SALIM JAFFER'S CONTACT INFORMATION:

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salimjaffers/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mobius-institute-north-america/ Company Website: https://www.mobiusinstitute.com/mina/

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