Cheers!

Below is the media portion of my presentation.  It gives a very general outline of the topics I covered and the order.  If you are interested in learning more about the specifics of the presentation, or are interested in discussing how social media and web 2.0 technology might benefit you or your company, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.  My contact information is found in the Author Bio’s and Tweets section.

Enjoy!

I have been blessed with the opportunity to speak during the afternoon sessions at PCB Atlanta on October 22.  UP Media has always been very kind to us and have now provided me with this opportunity.

The seminar I will be teaching will be on the topic of marketing yourself using the social media and online tools that are currently available online.  Below is the abstract I submitted when I approached them with the idea.

Are you trying to find a way to stand out among the crowd?  The field of marketing and advertising continues to rapidly change as more and more attention shifts toward Social Media and Online marketing techniques.  A new generation of decision makers and customers who have grown up with these tools is close at hand.  In order to remain current and successful, it is crucial that you have, at the least, a basic understanding of the tools being used.

The Online and Social Media Marketing workshop will give an overview of various online tools and services currently available to help you market yourself and drive business.  You will learn how and where to network with potential customers and ways to develop a strong presence on the web.  Whether you are a novice user, or consider yourself proficient, this workshop is designed to help you develop a comprehensive personal online marketing plan.  Topics covered will include: how to take full advantage of the top social networking sites, making sure you can be found easily online, and creating a pull-marketing campaign.

Do you plan on attending the show?  If you haven’t thought about it, you should.  I do believe that it will be very beneficial to you.  I won’t be as forward as to recommend that you attend the session I will be leading, however, it should be a good time.

If you’re going and you plan on attending this, please feel free to get in touch with me or to comment below with questions you have.  I want to make sure that I address the questions and needs of the people who attend.  Getting your feedback and a feel for your questions beforehand will help me to prepare and provide a more comprehensive and applicable presentation.

With so many years in the business, and with countless hours on the road and in sales meetings, Marissa has been in a wide variety of situations, and has plenty of stories.  Many are humorous and almost all of them have a lesson within.  Marissa has decided to share these short stories in audio format for people to listen to and learn from.  We hope to host her short audio clips regularly.  Feel free to list questions you may have for Marissa in the comments section for this article, or look through her website and contact her directly.

The first was the Industry Keynote speaker, Ken Krieg, former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics.  He spoke in depth on defense cycle spending historically, where budgets are going to be tightened in the next few years, and his predictions for what the defense budget will look like in the next few years as well.  One of the most intriguing comments he made was that the Defense industry is the only place in the world where you can look forward 20 years and act as though it is the present.  It’s hard to explain, but he did a great job.  So many projects are designed and funded to be worked on in the present, but as though the future is already here.  It’s not a simple looking ahead and preparing infrastructure, but rather a mindset of considering the prediction to be the present.

The second most intriguing lesson was not necessarily something that they taught, but something I gathered as a result.  I attended a breakout session with Chip, a Wind River employee, who was speaking to the issue of how their software was designed to save weight on airplanes and UCAVs (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles).  Now, you might be saying to yourself, “self, software doesn’t weigh anything… so how can it save weight?”  Well, it does weigh a lot in fact, depending on how complex it is.  All software requires hardware to run.  Wind River has designed software that takes advantage of Multi-Core Semiconductor technology, essentially making it possible to run multiple operating systems on the same chip at close to full capacity.  By reducing the number of chips and boards necessary to run all of these systems, they save weight.  In fact, for the new Boeing 787, they were able to save 500 lbs of weight by using their HyperVisor.

A few weeks ago my manager told me that the best way to pitch our services to the UCAV market is to tell them about how we can reduce their payload by using flex and rigidflex to reduce the number of connectors needed.  I found it so interesting that the issue of weight is so big that even the software guys are developing ways to reduce it and it is their primary marketing message as well.

I want to thank Wind River for putting on this series of seminars.  It was very informative, seemed well attended, the food was great, and beneficial connections were made with potential customers.  It was a day very well spent and I look forward to it again next year.

Education?
The first question that you might ask yourself is whether this is something for which you can go to school.  I approached Bill Brooks of Datron World Communications, who in the past has taught classes at Palomar College in PCB Design and Advanced PCB Design.  He was introduced into the field because his father owned a board shop where he worked until he was nineteen.  Bill echoed what I have heard from many:  that traditionally designers do not have college degrees.  A four-year degree, let alone a Masters, is not needed to be successful.  However, the technology continues to advance and designers must be much more rounded and have a greater understanding of a wide variety of variables than they did even only ten years ago.  I also spoke with Rick Hartley of L-3 Communications.  He is an accomplished designer and teaches technical seminars at various trade shows around the country.  He echoed the same sentiment.

Although various classes are available, the most valuable training is found within a mentorship relationship.  Rick learned how to design because a co-worker and mentor took the time to teach him.  Do you wonder where you can find a mentor, or the academic resources to succeed?  Fortunately there are a variety of places for you to go where you can receive training and meet designers who would love to teach you, especially if you are a younger entrant into the field.

If you are truly interested in making it in the field of PCB design, you must immerse yourself and strive to become an expert.  Let’s break it down into three approaches.  You need to network with current designers and find a mentor(s), you need to attend technical workshops and training sessions, and there are a few must have books that you ought to read.  Let’s start with networking.

Networking
The IPC is a very well recognized organization worldwide and they host online communities called Designer Councils which are divided up geographically.  Some of the most active councils are in Orange County and Portland.  You have a great opportunity to connect with and meet in person designers who would love to help you learn.  Although slightly archaic in their technology (they use list server technology), this is a very valuable tool and will allow you to connect with thousands of professionals.  the IPC recognizes the need to cultivate new designers and is actively pursuing programs to do just that.  Also, check out the article Best and Worst LinkedIn Groups for PCB Enthusiasts.  Use the connections within those groups, the discussion boards, the Q&A section, etc to meet and interact with experts.

Technical Training
Board design has gotten more complex as the devices they power have pushed the limits.  Although the printed circuit board has not changed significantly in its build over the last 35 years, the environment into which it is placed has.  Designers must understand electronic theory at a technician level, understand the PCB fabrication process, mechanical stress and how to prevent failure modes, the assembly process, testing processes, what the board is going to end up in for additional variables, and must also be cost conscious when it comes to materials.  Does this sound overwhelming?  Fortunately there is a plethora of design shows where you can attend technical sessions pertaining to all of these issues.  There are the IPC and Design Conferences, UP Media group’s PCB shows, designer council meetings, webinars, blogs, and companies that offer training courses.  Follow the various links and explore the opportunities to receive training.  The best training Rick ever recieved was a week long session about “board design for productibility.”  Seek out similar courses and seminars, and  you will do great.

Read, Read, Read!
If you want to be the best, you need to read from the best.  I have taken suggestions from several experts regarding what books they feel are the best for you to read if you’re seeking to expand your knowledge of the field.  I have listed them in the bookstore section of HotPCB.  Do us a favor, if you purchase through our links we might make a dollar.  That’d be cool.

I ended  all of my interviews asking if they had any predictions of where the industry was going, or what they would say in closing to someone just getting started.  Rick made the point that there are going to be a lot of available jobs and to get into it now.  In the long run it will pay off.  He took a pay cut when he first went into design, but quickly surpassed his former income.  Many designers are going to be retiring in the next 10 years, but PCB’s aren’t going anywhere.

The more authors we have, the more dynamic and informative the site will be.  I hope that over time we will have about 15 independent contributors who are able to provide a short 250-500 word article once every couple weeks.

If you are interested in taking on this small, but essential role within the development of HotPCB.com, please feel free to get in touch with us. We can talk about the various potential topics. This site is still very dynamic and your contributions and ideas will help it develop into a great resource.

Call Liam Morris at (800) 217-0202 x13 or email at lmorris@hotpcb.com

We have all experienced that moment where we open our email again even though we just minimized it and there was nothing new.  Or we have refreshed our facebook/twitter to see if anything new has popped up.  Or we’ve closed a browser and out of habit opened it up again even though there is no need.  Or you end up staring aimlessly at your monitor wondering “what can I do?”

You have become a twiddler – metaphorically twiddling your thumbs.

This is particularly dangerous for people who spend all day working at their computer.  It is even more of a temptation when you are able to validate it under the claim that you’re “managing the social media marketing campaign.”

However, there are many effective and fun ways to resist and to maintain productivity.  I hope to open the discussion on ways to not only battle idleness and the trap of twiddlerdom, but also how to make the time you spend truthfully “managing the social media marketing campaign” (because for many of us, that is our job description) much more effective.

Develop a Routine
Set up a game plan, an outline of what tasks are involved daily within your campaign.  Chris Brogan has put together a great list of ways to develop your presence on the web.   These are things that should most definitely be included on your list.

Don’t be a spectator
Although there is a time to browse, if that is all you do, then you are invisible.  Following Chris’ list will help you break out of this.  However, if you find yourself just reading other people’s tweets and updates, take the extra step and reply or comment.  A one sentence comment takes little time, but opens doors.

Take a Walk, Bring a Pen
Rather than stare at your screen and try to think of what to do next, turn around.  Creativity and Ideas are fostered when our surroundings change.  I turn often to a large blank piece of paper that I tape to my desk each week.  It’s my brainstorm space, away from my screen.  Go grab a glass of water.  Go tell your boss something nice – kill two birds with one stone.  Bring a pen – it’s been there for thousands of years as the creative thinker’s best companion.

Throw Randomness into the Mix
Sometimes to spark the creative region of my brain, I will create or find random things.  For example:  Sometimes I scribble on a piece of paper with my eyes closed and then look at it from different angles.  You see different things and your mind goes off.  I used a random word generator with the settings on somewhat uncommon words and it led to this article – “twiddler” came up.

Act on Your Instincts
If you have a thought to do something, do it.  Putting things off is dangerous.  Take a few minutes to do something to push your idea forward, even if it’s just writing it down on the brainstorm page.  Don’t just sit there! You hate to forget your creative thoughts, just as I have forgotten the idea I had about how to end this article.

Eric grew up in Swampscott, MA – 25 minutes or so north of Boston.  As a boy scout he became fascinated with Ham Radios, went on to get licensed, and has been using them ever since.  A passion for radio, coupled with his father’s encouragement, led him to attend Wentworth Institute of Technology where he received his EE degree.

He has worked for a few Tech companies in the Boston area over that past several years, notably spending 6 years as a test engineer at MIT Lincoln Labs.  During this time he pursued additional studies at Tufts University, focusing on RF and Microwave applications.

I was enamored by everything Eric was telling me about Ham Radios.  Whereas a CB Radio is more local, Ham Radios have the ability to communicate globally.  Depending on atmospheric conditions, geographic location, antenna configuration and operator skill, one can speak around the world.  Eric has been able to speak with others in Australia, and even had a conversation with members of the Royal Family in Jordan.  With a Ham radio on his bicycle, one in his truck, and his set-up at home – Eric is always able to see who is on the air and chat with them.

I was amazed to hear about how often various frequencies and operators use Morse code to communicate.  Many can approach 40 words a minute and are able to have flowing conversations.  He has been in severalcompetitions locally and finished 5^th or so last year in the ARRL Field Day Competition.

Be sure to check out Eric’s myspace pages for music (he plays the drums in two bands) and to also check out some of his photography.

PM Blues
Rumbletones

Eric’s LinkedIn

Feel free to contact Liam Morris if you are interested in being featured in one of these short bios. Contact Information is in the authors section of the blog.

In addition to a large number of PCB enterprises in Taiwan, many PCB operations are located in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces.

Among them are leading PCB makers earning hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenues and employing thousands of workers.

They also spend huge sums on environmental protection, including the disposal of manufacturing wastes from production processes and everyday operations.

The major pollution source of PCB industries is the copper content in the spent etchant and wastewater streams.

Traditionally, liquid resin is used to chelate spent etchant, forming copper ions and converting them into a copper sulfate solution for industrial applications.

Although this process can recover most of the copper from PCB waste streams, a considerable amount of the metal is unrecoverable. This metal is discharged into the environment, which can cause severe water pollution problems.

For any major plant, the daily amount of wastewater, along with untreated sludge, can total thousands of tons. This wastewater and sludge contains copper and also lead, tin and other metals used in soldering processes.

Stricter environmental protections adopted in recent years have forced PCB manufacturers to seek new technologies to promote better, yet cost-efficient waste recycling methods.Shortly after the State Council announced its 4 trillion yuan stimulus package to boost the domestic economy, attention turned to reviving industrial sectors battered by the ongoing global economic crisis.

During a series of meetings by the State Council in January and February this year, an “industrial restructuring” policy was adopted that focused on “10 key sectors.” The PCB industry is among those key sectors.

The government asked that PCB manufacturers focus on two elements: cleaner production (CP) and a circular economy (CE) to make this industry environmentally clear and economically stronger.

A semi-annual PCB technical conference in May at Suzhou, Jiangsu province, answered this CP/CE challenge with green technology sessions and economic discussions.

Hundreds of Chinese companies were represented – all eager to learn innovative technologies and international market trends.

Papers were presented on energy-saving measures, emissions reductions and also proposed CP/CE practices.

Seven universities in Taiwan established an incubator to study “best practice” CP/CE applications at the Center for Innovation and Incubation at Chung Yuan University.

The center has invited the participation of industry representatives, academic institutions and the government.

A persistent challenge is the incomplete recovery of copper from plant discharges, wastewater and sludge.

A recovery procedure recently developed by Taiwan-based Trinity Resource Technology Inc has employed a CP/CE solution.

The procedure involves separating copper compounds from wastewater in a way that recovers most of the copper, resulting in near-zero discharge.

Through a chemical treatment method operated outside the plant premises, the recovered copper compound is purified to form copper oxide, which can be recycled and used in the PCB electrolysis process.

Trinity is working with Chung Yuan University to build a pilot plant employing this new procedure.

This new approach is an example of the innovation that is being sought by the PCB industry to produce useful, profitable and environmentally sound products.

The author is a scientist and advisor to Trinity Resource Technology Inc of Taiwan
(For more biz stories, please visit Industries
(China Daily)