To excel in today’s intensely competitive electronics industry, it’s essential for corporations to cultivate the skills of their key managers and staff. While companies can choose from any number of professional training programs, none adequately addresses the unique characteristics and complexities of the electronics supply chain, according to Dan Hawtof, vice president, Performance Research Services at iSuppli Corp.
“There’s no question that the electronics industry is different from other businesses,” Hawtof said. “We have our own language, a highly complex supply chain and very short product life cycles. It can be extremely difficult for electronics companies, even the largest ones, to keep their staff current on the latest information and practices.”
To help its clients achieve the best possible performance, iSuppli has established the Advanced Learning Center, which offers specialized training, workshops, and professional forums for electronics companies.
“In my view, iSuppli is all about knowledge transfer,” Hawtof added. “In its nine years of existence, iSuppli has built an incredible wealth of information and insights. Through the Advanced Learning Center, we’re helping companies learn how to gather, interpret and apply knowledge in ways that have an immediate and positive impact on their performance.”
Hawtof has more than 20 years experience in electronics industry sales, marketing, business development, and supply chain consultation, including management positions with leading semiconductor and distribution companies. He has been with iSuppli for eight years, managing the company’s performance research and advisory services.
“I’m really excited about the work we’re doing in the Advanced Learning Center,” Hawtof said. “iSuppli is now launching six new courses for OEM procurement teams, covering everything from supplier relationship management and strategic supplier assessment to cross-cultural negotiation in low-cost geographies. In August, we hosted the first iSuppli Think Tank for component suppliers and distribution to study trends in outsourcing. Later this year, iSuppli will begin offering programs for managers in marketing and sales with topics like strategic differentiation and customer loyalty.”
Courses from the Advanced Learning Center are conducted on-site at the client’s facility. They are facilitated by iSuppli analysts and consultants using course content that draws extensively from iSuppli’s proprietary research into markets, companies and industry best practices. All the Advanced Learning Center courses are designed to be highly interactive so that participants can immediately begin to internalize the knowledge and skills being presented.
“One of the best things about these classes is the interaction between the participants and the analysts presenting the material. An iSuppli client may have 10 to 15 mid- and senior-level managers in the room. iSuppli’s staff comes to a class with a structured program, but it usually doesn’t take more than a few minutes before everyone’s involved in a major debate. Theses courses can be great environments for learning.”
Courses for procurement professionals are available immediately from the iSuppli Advanced Learning Center.
For more information, please contact:
Jonathan Cassell
Editorial Director and Manager, Public Relations
iSuppli Corporation
Office: 408.654.1714
Mobile: 408.921.3754