I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

This week, I’ve been enjoying time with all my young adult children and our 2-year-old grandson. He is a bundle of energy, curiosity, opinions, and above all else, joy. Little children are constant reminders to stop and appreciate all the beauties of life in their most simplest form.

I think that’s one reason Dan Beaulieu’s column this week resonated with me so much. Life is serious, business is serious, solving problems is serious. But how we approach these parts of our lives matters. Dan reminds us that we can do important work with joy. Strong businesses recognize that culture is a strategic asset, not a nice-to-have. People perform better when they find purpose and satisfaction in what they do.

My other must-reads this week also focus on building the right foundation in your work and business, from the Global Electronics Association’s new electronics policy council to new manufacturing systems designed to prevent quality issues before they occur. What separates leading organizations is their willingness to invest in the fundamentals before they become urgent. It’s how you build organizations that last.

It's Only Common Sense: The Underrated Business Strategy of Joy
Published July 6

We spend plenty of time talking about productivity, efficiency, and profitability, but not nearly enough time talking about joy. Dan Beaulieu argues that creating a positive workplace is good for employees and for business. Leaders who foster purpose, gratitude, and genuine enjoyment build stronger teams, retain talent, and create organizations where people want to do their best work. I’ve worked at places that fostered joy, and ones that didn’t, and I can assure you that a joyful place (like I-Connect007) is where I’d most prefer to be.

The Government Circuit: New Council Now Helps Shape Policy Decisions in the Electronics Supply Chain
Published July 7

The electronics industry has no shortage of challenges, from tariffs and trade policy to workforce development and supply chain resilience. This new policy council is designed to help ensure the industry’s voice is heard where policy decisions are made. If you’ve ever wondered how our industry can move from reacting to legislation to helping shape it, this article explains why that shift matters.

ERP, Automation, and Maturity: A Systems Framework for Manufacturers
Published July 8

Many manufacturers begin with spreadsheets, QuickBooks, and homegrown solutions, but those same tools can become barriers to growth. Scott Ryan explores what business maturity really looks like, arguing that scalable systems, standardized processes, and reliable data create the foundation for automation and AI. Find out why he says technology alone isn’t the answer.

Interlocking Material Management and Quality
Published July 7

Quality isn’t something manufacturers can inspect into a product at the end of the line. In this practical article, Jim Camillo of Cogiscan explains how interlocking material management and quality systems work together to reduce mistakes before they happen. It’s a useful reminder that the strongest manufacturing operations build processes that make errors less likely in the first place.

Call for Participation Now Open for the Global Electronics Association’s Advanced Electronic Packaging Conference at APEX EXPO 2027
Published July 6

Advanced electronic packaging is evolving at a remarkable pace, and the Global Electronics Association is seeking experts to help drive the conversation. Sharing your research, new processes, and problem-solving is an opportunity to contribute to the technical discussions that help shape the next generation of electronics. For added measure, read this industry report: Advanced Packaging Technologies Market to Surge Beyond $15 Billion by 2030. To stay on top of what’s everyone is talking about in this space, be sure to subscribe to our free Advanced Electronics Packaging Digest, which publishes monthly to you email and on Substack.