Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1514628
JANUARY 2024 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 27 Taking on a Mentorship Role As a design progresses, design engineers can sometimes require customer support to pro- vide expert advice regarding their designs. e PCB design process has many moving parts and constraints; at times, designers need a quick solution to finalize the PCB design and data. When we meet a new design engineer for the first time, it's typically because they had a problem that needed to be fixed yester- day. While it's not an ideal situation to start a working relationship, it's a chance to establish a trustworthy professional relationship with the customer by providing them with a solu- tion to their problem. During this initial meet- ing, the aim is always to understand the cus- tomer's needs and project requirements. It helps to know some background and expe- rience level for our customer contact. For example, when NCAB sends a data package to a factory, the CAM staff will reply with ques- tions—sometimes, rightfully so, with a lot of questions. Some designers, through no fault of their own, lack the factory knowledge required to answer these questions, and yet, the fac- tory needs this information to ensure an accu- rate product. is is where understanding the customer's expertise is critical to acting as an intermediary between the customer and the factory. With this knowledge, we can tailor the support based on the customer's needs. Added Value: Showcase Your Knowledge and Competence Another goal during the initial meeting is determining whether the new customer wants educational resources. Providing educational presentations to PCB design engineers not only fosters trust and mutual understanding, but it showcases the value you can provide. If your company does not have a staff mem- ber capable of delivering educational presen-