The Reading Room – What’s the SCOOP?

By Philip Spagnoli Stoten Founder of SCOOP

After hijacking a space on EMSNOW’s homepage while I guest edited the publication, their esteemed editor, Jennifer Read, has kindly allowed me back on a weekly basis to share some of what I am watching, reading and even listening to. So, here’s a few things I’ve enjoyed this week, some of which you will see among my regular posts on LinkedIn.

• With so much happening between the US and China in terms of trade and data there are some questions that need to be considered. In this article on EBN, Frank Kenney suggest some Critical Questions in the Wake of the Executive Order to Secure the ICT Supply Chain, and asks can businesses be as agile as a farmer-turned-trucker?
• Logistics operators are bracing themselves as some importers have considered moving goods more quickly from Mexico to get ahead of new tariffs that are expected to take place June 10. Read ‘Logistics Operators Prepare for Mexican Tariffs’ in Supply & Demand Chain Executive for more information.
• Plus, US companies are in line of fire of tariffs aimed at Mexico, what does all this mean for an EMS industry which has invested so heavily in Mexico. See comments from IPC President and CEO, John Mitchell.
• Industry standards is the topic that keeps giving and it seems every event now has a connected line. At SMT Connect (a rebrand of SMT Nuremberg) the “Future Packaging” live production line organized by Fraunhofer IZM (in Hall 5, booth 5-434) was connected the OML standard. Read what Oren Manor had to say in, Fraunhofer Future Packaging Line at SMT Connect 2019: A Manufacturing Solution is Realized.
• For more on standards check out what Ranjan Chatterjee of Cimetrix says on the matter in this series of short videos, based on his vast experience connecting the semiconductor industry as well as PCB and SMT factories.
• Unicorns come along very rarely, but McKinsey & Company alums have been founders to a surprising number. Take a look at twelve of the best in this article, what do these 12 start-ups have in common? McKinsey alums have turned them into unicorns. Go-Jek and Grab are interesting multiservice apps, growing from the hugely disruptive global ridesharing phenomenon.
• You’ll know how complicated and agonizing Brexit is, especially if you’re from the UK. Well checkout this excellent analogy from Alex Wood, currently from Forbes and formerly the creator of The Memo. Here’s Why Brexit Has More Plot Twists Than ‘Game of Thrones’.
• VIDEO OF THE WEEK: The role of social media in our future and as an influencer in every part of our lives is fascinating. Grab a coffee and watch this TED interview with Twitter founder and CEO, Jack Dorsey, considering how Twitter needs to change.
• PODCAST OF THE WEEK: EETimes On Air offers a thirty-minute deep-dive into the most compelling stories in electronics featuring subject matter experts from around the industry.
  It’s radio for engineers.

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

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