Management decisions threaten the entire electronics industry.

The simple chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Chains have been used for centuries to connect and secure everything from ships to anchors during a storm, large and heavy payloads onto trailers for transport, and more recently, businesses to customers and suppliers for commerce.

Chains are subject to many challenges. Rust and corrosion are the most obvious potential causes of failure for metal chains. Temperature and chemical exposure can cause failure with plastic chains, and politics, as well as epidemics, can test the strength and tenacity of the chains of commerce. And human error challenges each and every one.

Global supply chains have been created, nurtured and evolved into what could best be characterized as one of the most efficient systems ever utilized in the history of manufacturing. The global supply chain that supports our electronics industry in particular has enabled amazingly cost-effective production of high-quality materials, supplies, sub-assemblies and finished products, enabling much higher overall value. The scope of the supply chain is extensive, touching everything from raw materials to consumer products to industrial equipment, and includes not just finished products but also the spare and replacement parts necessary to keep everything functioning long after a product goes into service. This continues to take place despite the pulling, twisting, stressing and testing of each chain’s links over and over again over the past decades.

Industry-wide security efforts could benefit from a smaller, more agile approach.

One of the major trends, or more specifically, major needs, over the past decade is the quest to beef up security methods and protocols to protect intellectual property (IP) and secure the numerous long and global supply chains. As with any emerging trend, opinions are varied as to exactly what “security” means, as well as how to best define “supply chain.”

Over the past quarter century, the global supply chain has grown, prospered and become increasingly complex. The flourishing of such a complex and efficient manufacturing environment has required deployment of advanced technology – not just in how product is manufactured on the production floor but also in how data are transferred. Data include everything from Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) to all the myriad details required to logistically make sure items and sub-items are shipped and arrive in time – anywhere in the world – at the required location for assembly. This is where the concept of security gets interesting.

Worldwide collaboration still has a place in the printed circuit board supply chain.

As time marches on and technology, as well as economic and geopolitical events, change and evolve, one thing is as true today as it was decades ago: It is still a small world, after all!

Being in a technology-driven industry, I often marvel at how small refinements to materials, processes and equipment, together, over time, are catalysts that enable truly significant technological advances. One person’s – or team’s – brilliant and possibly radical idea can become reality only when the little things are done in the way of refining existing materials, tweaking known processes and tuning the equipment necessary for its manufacturing. In almost all cases I can think of, the hype over so-called “game-changing” materials or processes, was for naught; the game did not change.

What are you going to do next year that is different from the past?

It is hard to believe we are rapidly approaching the end of another year. Reflecting and looking forward, it certainly appears that the more things change, the more they stay the same. The many challenges remain the same, namely adding critical technology, increasing sales, recruiting and adding and developing much-needed staff to both grow and replace those approaching retirement. And yes, doing all profitably. So what will you do this year that is different – and more importantly – better than you did last year or in past years? How will you commit your time, talent and treasure to outperform the industry or accomplish your goals? The time is now to figure out what you want to accomplish and how you will do it. If you want or need to make the new year an extraordinarily great one, here are a few suggestions for where to start.

Planning. It sounds trite, looks easy and at times feels like a waste, but it has been proven over and over that success begins by planning and continues through continuous work on the plan. In its most basic form, planning is simply thinking through what you want to – and with the available resources, can – do. As with any “to-do” list, it is essential to make sure that you are reaching for an attainable goal, that you have an idea of the cost in both dollars and man-hours, and you know how you will measure success or failure.