Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1367446
78 SMT007 MAGAZINE I MAY 2021 Editor's Note: is is the first in a series of col- umns about Maggie Benson, a fictional charac- ter, to demonstrate continuous improvement and education in SMT assembly. As she looked out of her office window at Acme Corporation's electronics assembly facil- ity in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, Maggie Benson could just barely make out the first snowfall on Mount Monadnock. She was in a bit of a cele- bratory mood, as she had just been promoted to senior engineer—way ahead of her peers. She and her boyfriend, John, both attributed their success to being students at Ivy Univer- sity in Hanover, NH. It wasn't just Ivy U; it was the teaching and mentoring of Professor Patty Coleman and, to some extent, Professor Cole- man's mentor, "e Professor." As Maggie was contemplating these pleasant thoughts, she was startled by the phone ringing. "Hello, this is Maggie Benson, how may I help you?" "Hey, Magpie, it's your Gramps." Maggie hated it when her grandad called her "Magpie," but she knew it was said with affec- tion. "Gramps, what's up?" "Nothing much; it's just that Grandma and I want to give you and your loser boyfriend our company," Granddad replied. "Gramps, it's not April Fool's Day!" Maggie chuckled. She also knew her grandfather had great affection and respect for her boyfriend, John. "We are serious, Sweetie. We want to retire, and we think you and John could really improve Benson Electronics," he said. "But Gramps, we can't afford to buy you out," Maggie replied. "Grandma and I want to give it to you. We love the people at the company and want them to have a bright future. In addition, we think you two can improve the company and bring it into the 21 st century. Oh, and the $2 million in the company's bank account is yours, too." Maggie was stunned. What a gi! "Gramps, let me talk to John and see what he thinks." Setting the Stage for Continuous Improvement Maggie Benson's Journey by Ronald C. Lasky, Ph.D., PE, INDIUM CORPORATION Maggie Benson