Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1515304
54 SMT007 MAGAZINE I FEBRUARY 2024 ties they were offered. From GEDs to graduate degrees, Benson's financial contributions to the company's employee education program had paid off in improved job performance and company loyalty. In the past two years, only a handful of the hundreds of employees have resigned. Maggie let out a happy sigh as she thought of these successes. en Sue March and Andy Connors came to mind. Both came to Benson Electronics right out of high school, as nei- ther really had a "life plan." However, aer a short time, they became model employees. It was clear that both were very sharp, so Maggie encouraged them to attend night school at the local community college. Currently, they are enrolled at Ivy University as part-time juniors. Maggie's eyes dried to her copy of Elon Musk that Professor Patty Coleman gave her. Suddenly, her phone rang, jarring her into the present, and she answered the call. "Benson Electronics, Maggie speaking," she said. "How may I help you?" "Maggie, it's Patty Coleman," said the voice on the other end. "Professor Patty, what's up?" Maggie asked. "Sue and Andy will need a senior honors project, and I was hoping you would be their industry mentor," Patty answered. Having been a student of Ivy U, Maggie knew all about the honors program. "Sure, what do you have in mind?" Maggie asked. "I would like to have them investigate the realities of Industry 4.0 (I4.0), especially where it has been implemented and how it is work- ing," Patty said. "I have to admit to being a bit of a skeptic." Maggie also felt that I4.0 was a little more hype than reality, so she immediately thought this project was worthwhile, and exclaimed, "I think that is a great idea." ey chatted a bit about the details, and then Patty added, "Have you had a chance to read the Elon Musk biography, especially about 'e Algorithm' and 'e Idiot Index'?" Patty asked. "I just finished that part," Maggie replied. "I think these concepts, if implemented, will have a profound impact on profits, more so than I4.0," Patty opined. "I agree, I don't see that I4.0 is that focused on getting cost out like 'e Algorithm' and 'e Idiot Index' are," Maggie continued. "Without these tools, SpaceX and Tesla would not have survived," Patty added. "So, let's have Andy and Sue investigate 'e Algorithm' and 'e Idiot Index' vis a vis I4.0," Maggie suggested. "at was my thought exactly," Patty summed up. Will you implement "e Algorithm" and "e Idiot Index" in your business? SMT007 Dr. Ron note: "The Algorithm" and "The Idiot Index" are profound and should be cost-cutting tools in all companies. These concepts seem to be neglected in reviews of the Musk biography. Ronald C. Lasky is an instruc- tional professor of engineer- ing for the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, and senior technolo- gist at Indium Corporation. To read past columns, or contact Lasky, click here. Download Lasky's book, The Printed Circuit Assembler's Guide to… Solder Defects. You can view other titles in the I-007eBooks library here. Sue March and Andy Connors discussing their senior project on "The Algorithm," "The Idiot Index," and I4.0.