Conformity Magazine - June 2008 - (Page 6)

Editor’s Note Making the Most of an Uncertain Economy The daily newspapers and the nightly news broadcasts are filled with depressing stories about how bad the U.S. economy is, and how much worse it may become. So, while the pundits argue about whether or not we’re in a recession, the fortunate among us are reining in our spending and hunkering down for what may be a protracted economic slowdown. (Those less able to weather the storm warily eye the future with fear and trepidation.) Whenever dark economic clouds hover, companies behave just like consumers do, carefully watching expenses and cutting out the frills. Depending on the circumstances, the cutting can lead to “restructuring,” which is really just a politically correct way of saying that people will have to do more work with fewer resources. And, as unpleasant as it is to run faster just to stay in place, it’s certainly better than the alternative. If dark clouds are hovering over you and your company these days, your natural reaction may be one of resignation. After all, you ask, what kind of impact can one person have when the causes for our economic malaise are so widespread? Nonetheless, here are some things that you can do to help yourself and your company survive and prosper in an uncertain economy. Look Closely At Your Skills: Your sustaining value as an engineering professional is directly proportional to the knowledge and skills that you possess, and the efforts spent to develop new skills today will pay dividends for the rest of your career. And we’re not just talking about technical skills here, but also professional and leadership skills, which are most the highly valued by today’s employers. Increase Your Value: My high school football coach used to say “when the going gets tough, the tough get going,” and that’s just as true in business as it is on the football field. Have a sense of urgency about the work that you’re doing, make sure to follow through on the commitments that you make to others, and always under promise but over deliver. Help Yourself By Helping Others: You can always get what you want if you just help enough other people get what they want. Make sure you understand your company’s goals and objectives (talk with your manager, if you’re not 6 Conformity JUnE 2008 © Scott Maxwell | Dreamstime.com sure what they are), and volunteer your time to help on a project or initiative that will support the achievement of those goals. Raise Your Professional Profile: Now’s the time to raise your professional profile, both within your company and in the industry in general. Get involved in the local chapters of industry and professional groups, give presentations and talks on subjects about which you’re knowledgeable, and write articles for professional and technical magazines (including Conformity!). Get Moving: Get out of the “bunker mentality” that pervades when times are tough. By taking action (often, almost any action at all), not only will you accomplish more, but you’ll feel better about yourself and about the impact that your efforts, however small, can have on you and on others. In America’s darkest hours during the Great Depression of the 1930s, Franklin Roosevelt rightly asserted that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” By applying some or all of the suggestions above, and by staying engaged, you’ll transcend the fear and apprehension that comes with uncertain economic times. And you may even do your small part to turn things around! Bill von Achen Managing Editor http://Dreamstime.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Conformity - June 2008

Conformity - June 2008 Contents Editor's Note 700 MHz Auction Raises a Record $20 Billion FCC Modifies PCS and AWS Power Limit Rules for Broadband Wireless Commission Designates Spectrum Test Bed FCC Releases Report on Wireless Competition Commission Proposes $5 Million Fine for Slamming Using EDX for Non-Destructive Detection of Lead in Consumer Products ESD Open Forum Challenges in Testing - Improving Election Security and Accuracy Part 1 Challenges in Testing - Human Body Model: The Hidden Challenges High-Speed Signal Integrity Considerations for ESD Components Focus On...EMC Components Buyer's Guide FCC Levies $2.6 Million Fine for Junk Faxes FDA Updates Guidance on its Product Review Process EU Issues Updated Energy Star Regulations EU Repeals Directive on Veterinary Electro-Medical Equipment New Product Announcements Updated Standards List for the EU's PPE Directive CPSC Announces New Effort to Keep Out Hazardous Products CPSC Actions in the News IEC Standards Update UL Standards Update Product Reviews Telcordia Standards Update From Our "You Can't Make This Stuff Up" Department Looking Back: Items from Past Issues of Conformity Advertisers

Conformity - June 2008

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