The Reading Room – What’s the SCOOP?

Now in a regular Friday spot, this is the Reading Room, a weekly roundup of what we’ve been reading, watching and listening to. You can see these updates even more regularly if you follow me on LinkedIn or Twitter.

• While it is true that Vietnam’s trade surplus has grown significantly in 2019, much of it is the result of the trade war between the U.S. and China. Global trade writer, Cora Di Pietro explores, “Why Washington Shouldn’t see Vietnam as the Next China”.
• Ok, here’s another from the pen of Anna-Katrina Shedletsky, CEO of Instrumental, and regular Forbes contributor. This piece includes input from Johann Weber, CEO of Zollner Electronics. And explore the notion that “Industry 4.0 Traceability Is The New Insurance Policy Manufacturers Need’”.
• Here’s a useful checklist from Thomas Insights explaining “How to Successfully Launch a Digital Transformation”. My personal favorite is #5. Think Big, Start Small, Scale Fast.
• Industry Week suggests, “Millennial Mastery – It’s time to value how this generation leads, and learn from them”. Millennials are many things (and much is projected on them), but they aren’t even close to being kids. The oldest of the bunch, if they started work right out of high school and stuck to one company, could hit 25 years of service in five years. The youngest are already out of college. They’re adults with families, maturing in their careers, taking leadership roles in their organizations and making big change in processes, culture and strategy.
• Mr. Wu is the author of “The Master Switch: The Rise and Fall of Information Empires.” In The New York Times, he suggests, America is Taking a Risky Approach to Artificial Intelligence, and we need to stop pretending that Silicon Valley can compete with China on its own.
• Take a look at this week’s edition of The Butterfly, curated by Joanne Moretti, and the #1 Social Digest for Women in Business & STEM fields – Be part of the Social Butterfly Effect – small things can inspire Women to make a big impact.
• Harvard Business Review believes that “Universities Should Be Preparing Students for the Gig Economy”. Today’s graduates are joining a workforce where the Gig Economy, including consultants, independent contractors, freelancers, sid-giggers, and on-demand workers, makes up an estimated 30-40% of the U.S. workforce.
• Whilst we’re on the topic of workforce, Wired Magazine suggests, “Killing ‘Dead-End’ Jobs Blocks Career Opportunity” adding, we shouldn’t automate “on-ramp” jobs away, which offer experience, education, and connections.

FROM SMTAi: We’ve edited and posted a few more videos from SMTAi, take a look below or on our YouTube channel.

WEBINAR OF THE WEEK: From one of my favorite educators of the industry, Mike Konrad, comes a webinar entitled “Cleaning and Cleanliness Assessment Best Practices” on October 22^nd at times to suit just about everyone. This webinar is designed for anyone considering the implementation of a cleaning process or for those already cleaning circuit assemblies. This webinar is designed for both contract manufacturers and OEMs.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK: After three years of quietly toiling away on a robotic food system, Seattle startup Picnic has emerged from stealth mode with a system that assembles custom pizzas with little human intervention.

PODCAST OF THE WEEK: Take some time out and listen to Sarah Barnes Humphrey’s podcast, Let’s Talk Supply Chain. They’re all good, but I particularly like the ‘Women in Supply Chain’ features that appear regularly.

That’s it until next week! For more regular musing connect or follow me on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Read more, watch more, hear more, know more – that’s the SCOOP!