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Latest EMT Worldwide Article Just Released
Here is the link to my latest column in EMT Worldwide discussing trends in the EMS industry and U.S. economy: http://www.emtworldwide.com/article/45555/US-EMS-industry-still-upbeat.aspx.
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Latest EMT Worldwide Column: U.S. Insourcing—Trend or Empty Campaign Promise?
My latest EMT Worldwide column is out. Looking at all the presidential campaign activity focused on glorifying manufacturing these days–factories make such wonderful backgrounds for speeches, I thought...
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Work Ethic and Opportunity
Scottish author and reformer Samuel Smiles once said, “the spirit of self-help is the root of all genuine growth in the individual.” I strongly believe that and in my August Circuits Assembly column...
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Cyber Monday Sale
My publisher, Pennwell Books, has an annual holiday sale where they really slash prices on some of their inventory. This year my book, “Find It. Book It. Grow It. A Robust Process for Account...
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Is Your Business Harnessing Social Media Opportunities
This post has more than a little mea culpa in it, since my busy third and fourth quarter travel schedules have impacted my blog posts. However, I have kept up with my magazine column deadlines. Here is...
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Thoughts on SMTAI and APEX
My December column in Circuits Assembly looked at SMTAI, some of the activities that took place and the news that IPC and SMTA would be combining forces once again. I think combined IPC/SMTA...
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New Circuits Assembly Column: Is Your Business Evolving with Technology?
In the February issue of Circuits Assembly, my column looks at trends in process efficiency in the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry. If I were to point out a single trend in EMS, it...
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New Circuits Assembly Column: Finding the Right Contractor
In talking with OEMs and electronics manufacturing services companies over the past year, I’ve come to the conclusion that while nearshoring is happening, the bigger trend is a more calculated...
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What are You Doing to Sell Young People on a Career in Manufacturing?
While I believe some of the talk of skills shortages is political hype from some employers not wanting to pay market competitive salaries, there is no question that many kids today don’t see a career...
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Ways to Improve Customer Satisfaction Survey Response Rates
The more satisfied your customers, the more difficult it can be to get them to return a customer satisfaction survey. My column this month in Circuits Assembly discusses ways to improve that.
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Nearshoring in Southeast Asia Article and Upcoming Event Reminder
My October article in Circuits Assembly magazine looks at nearshoring in Southeast Asia. I made another trip to Singapore in August and continue to notice parallels in the way Singapore’s supply base...
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Cyber Monday Comes Early
It appears my publisher is joining the rest of the retail industry in starting sales early. Only theirs is also finishing early. If you’ve wanted a copy of “Find It. Book It. Grow It. A Robust Strategy...
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Essentials of EMS Program Management Scheduled for APEX
IPC has announced dates for the Essential of EMS Program Management course in 2014. I teach the first day of this course. The course is tentatively scheduled for March 27-29, 2014 at IPC Apex Expo and...
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Thoughts on Differentiation
Years ago when I was giving a seminar on EMS Competitive Advantage at SMTAI, a person working at an OEM had also signed up. When I asked why he was registering for what was essentially a marketing...
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Are Your Buyers Commoditizing Your Company?
My latest article in Circuits Assembly is out. This month we look at ways EMS companies can team Sales and Operations to sell focused solutions vs. “me-too” capabilities. If you aren’t differentiating...
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Five Things Your EMS Marketing Program Should be Doing
Electronics manufacturing services (EMS) is an educated sell to a cross-functional team that goes in and out of ready-to-buy mode. What does all that jargon mean? Basically, you need to have a range of...
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The Five Biggest Myths in EMS Sales and Marketing
Here are the five biggest myths in electronics manufacturing services (EMS) sales and marketing: Myth 1 – Cold calling works: Years ago a large magazine publisher used to run an ad with an unfriendly...
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Five Signs Your EMS Marketing Program Needs Review
Electronics manufacturing services (EMS) providers have unique challenges when it comes to marketing. First, there is very little difference among providers in a given size class in terms of equipment...
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Are Your Program Managers Helping or Hurting Your Business?
No one goes to college and majors in Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) program management. They are typically either hired for the position as a business major or migrate there from a technical...
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Are You Getting the Return You Expect From Your Program Managers?
Part of the reason I’ve been a little lax on my posting is that I’ve had a heavy travel schedule that included teaching segments of the IPC EMS Program Management Certification course as well as...
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