Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1515304
FEBRUARY 2024 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 9 conversation was, as would be expected, lively and informative. With so much to share on the topic, we then asked our experts to take a deeper dive into their topics for separate articles. To that end, Barry Matties discusses what market- ing should be, along with methods and chan- nels to accomplish your marketing goals. Dan Beaulieu tackles the discipline of account plan- ning, while Dan Feinberg builds upon the rela- tionship factor. I also contributed an article on what it means to qualify a customer, building off the successful Miller Heiman strategic sell- ing methodology. We get bonus feature content from our reg- ular columnist Mike Konrad, vice president of communications for SMTA, who loves to talk about marketing; in his column, he considers the emergence of "conscious marketing." Finally, Ron Lasky wraps up his two-year journey with "Maggie Benson." Ron has shown admirable creativity in exploring manufac- turing process analysis by creating a series of melding facts and experiences with situations pulled from his real-world experience, all held together by an ongoing storyline. Ron, we thank you for your unique approach to moving the conversation forward in the industry. Speaking of moving the conversation for- ward, we always welcome reader input. We can oen be found at industry shows and confer- ences; we learn a great deal from the conversa- tions we have with you, our readers, when we meet at events. at said, don't wait for a show to let us know what you're thinking. Drop me a line at nolan@iconnect007.com any time. We'd love to hear from you, and you're guaran- teed to get a reply. SMT007 Nolan Johnson is managing editor of SMT007 Magazine. No- lan brings 30 years of career ex- perience focused almost entirely on electronics design and manufacturing. To contact Johnson, click here. By Bob Duke President of the Global Sourcing Division at American Standard Circuits As I talk about global sourcing around the country, I often run into some resistance from good-intentioned people who want to do the right thing and buy American. It is a philosophy I can appreciate and respect. But one day, after having heard this argument again, I decided to investigate. I did some research to find out whether the things we assume are made in America actually are. I know that "buying American" has been deeply ingrained in the American psyche for generations. It represents a sense of patriotism and loyalty to one's country, and it's often asso- ciated with the belief that purchasing products labeled as "Made in the USA" supports domes- tic industries and workers. However, this notion can be misleading and oversimplified. In reality, the global economy is far more interconnected than it appears, and many products labeled as American are, in fact, a blend of international components. This column explores 12 instances where you may think you're buying American but you're not. Click here to continue reading at SMT007. COLUMN EXCERPT Global Sourcing Spotlight: The Myth of 'Buying American'