Engineering Careers: A Panel Discussion with ‘Brilliant!’ and ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’’

Join Steven Giako and Dianna Deeney in a panel discussion of central themes in the books Brilliant! Shuji Nakamura And the Revolution in Lighting Technology and How to Win Friends and Influence People.

How do these two books relate with one another, and what lessons can be learned by combining and contrasting their messages? How can the story in Brilliant! relate to the advice given in How to Win Friends and Influence People? What are potential lessons learned for engineers today who are leading in the edges of innovation?

The reviewers explore these two books together by combining common themes for discussion points and add their own experiences from their engineering careers. Their goals are to link literature to current-day challenges and for participants to:

• Gain different perspectives, both from literature and from the reviewers.
• Get inspired toward action: to try something new, read one of the books, or make new connections with others.
• Inspire others in their engineering work.

[Read more…]

Revolutionize Your Technical Presentations: Mastering the Assertion Evidence Model and the Six P’s Framework

Can the way you present technical information drastically impact decision-making? Absolutely. In our latest podcast episode, we explore transformative methods that can elevate your technical presentations to a whole new level. Instead of relying on lifeless bullet points, the assertion evidence model encourages you to make clear recommendations at the top of each slide, coupled with compelling graphical evidence. We also delve into the six P’s—Perspective, Problem, Principle, Proposal, Proof, and Process—that serve as the backbone for structuring your presentation. These elements not only enhance learning but also facilitate more informed and productive discussions within your team.

If the thought of presenting to your team makes you anxious, we’ve got you covered. We’ll share practical advice to boost your confidence and help you deliver your findings more effectively. By focusing on the value of your insights and using the six P’s framework, you’ll be well-equipped to engage your audience and convey crucial information. As we approach a busy season of deadlines and presentations, challenge yourself to adopt these methods for the benefit of your team.

[Read more…]

Prioritizing Customer Satisfaction in Product Design (the Kano Model)

How do you balance customer wants with project constraints? If your customer-facing teammates are saying our customers want this, that and the other thing, which ones do we prioritize over others?

Not all features are equal in the eyes of our customers. And not all features are value-added, either.

In this episode, we delve into how to prioritize customer wants using the powerful Kano Model, a tool that maps customer satisfaction against the implementation of product features.

You’ll learn how to differentiate between essential and non-essential features, ensuring that your design truly resonates with your customers. This episode walks through the intricacies of the Kano Model’s two-by-two matrix and the different satisfaction levels represented by various lines and curves.

Too complex? We break it down. Prioritize your features based on their impact to the customer using their voice. Then, consider how well you want to implement that in your design using the Kano Model.

Get ready for practical tips and proven strategies to enhance your product’s value while managing cost, time, and design trade-offs. This episode is an introduction to the Kano Model for design.

[Read more…]