The Resonating Career

THE RESONATING CAREER

Practical Career Management methods that transcend time, professions and industries.

The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Donald Cheng is an Electrical Engineer professional with a successful career spanning across three industries and progressively climbed the ladder in four career professions. Each time starting as an individual contributor and rising the ranks into executive management. He is also an educator, consultant, author, speaker and enjoys the life long journey of learning.

• Mr. Cheng is currently the Vice President and General Manager of KAMET Manufacturing Solutions, an international provider of Engineering, Build to Print and Contract Manufacturing services, serving the Hi-Tech Semiconductor, Medical and Aerospace/Defense Industries. Reporting to the CEO, he is responsible for all aspects of growth and profitability of the corporation.

• Mr. Cheng is also an industry Educator and Consultant working with knowledge brokers like Gerson Lehrman Group, Coleman Research, Guidepoint Global, Primary Insight, and Cognolink educating and increasing clients’ understanding of technology and trends in industry.

• During Mr. Cheng’s 15 year tenure at Applied Materials. He held leadership positions in Global Production Engineering, Operations Research, Global Supply Chain Management, Regional Total Quality Management and Manufacturing Operations. During his tenure, Applied Materials delivered highest record revenues, implemented global sourcing strategies, implemented LEAN manufacturing and achieved consistent improvement in overall performance.

• Prior to Applied Materials, Mr. Cheng spent over 8 years in the Aerospace & Defense Industry, most notably at Lockheed Space Operations where, as a Systems Engineer, he designed automated cloud hardware switching systems using knowledge based Artificial Intelligence heuristics.

• Mr. Cheng holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology, NAPCEP Certified and has received numerous awards of excellence from every industry he has served.

CAREER BIO


TALKING POINTS

Every generation of graduates faces challenges entering into the work place.

Finding a Job in a Jobless market only creates fierce competition.

Job seekers need to show distinction along with breadth and depth of value.

This is not your father’s job market anymore.

Job skills now change every 3-4 years.

Career Management is a life long journey that begins with a direction.


TALKING POINTS

No matter where you are at in your career map there are a handful of concepts that has stood the test of time and transcends career paths and industries.

What ever direction you take, remember to learn

and enjoy the journey along the way


THE RESONATING CAREER

Resonate means: 1. To correspond closely or

harmoniously with2. To expand, to intensity, or

amplify

The Resonating Career, is a career which is harmonious with who you are and what

your current or potential employer needs. The result is

a mutual success that is intensified and amplified as you progress and fine tune

your skills.

THE BUSINESS OF YOU

Career Management is your business


THE BUSINESS OF YOU

PREMISE: You are the CEO of YOU

WHAT IS YOU’s: Value Add Passion Interests Specialization Core Competency


MARKETING YOU

What is your target market(s)?

Do you have a brand image? Do you have a message? What is your distinction?

Why hire you?


BRANDING YOU

Reputationu

Characteru

Perceptionu

Ethicsu

Code of Conductu

Opinionu

Su=1

8


UTILIZING NETWORKS

Professional Societies

Professional Organizations

Professional networks

Publishing your work

Find mentors

Applying for jobs online

Job fairs Walking in a

resume Asking around Newspaper ads Cold calling

Strategic Use

Tactical Use

Goal• Building your

credentials & brand

• Attract recruiters

Goal • Getting hired


SOCIAL VS PROFESSIONAL


THE YOU, INC BUSINESS PLAN

Avoid “Analysis Paralysis”


ANALYSIS PARALYSIS

Plans are a living document No plan is perfect, but should be

well thought out Plans are made to be changed,

adjust as needed Don’t obsess over it, revisit it

after a period of time and look at it with a fresh pair of eyes

Remember that creation of the plan is not the end goal

Adopt a continuous improvement over time approach rather trying to craft the perfect plan

Execute!, Execute!, Execute!

TOP GRADING

How business’ manage employee performance


TOP GRADINGTop Grading is a

systematic approach to assessing

candidates and employees alike based on the overall groups

performance.

“A”- Player

“B”- Player

“C”- Player


TOP GRADINGTOP GRADING

Companies are dynamic and complex organisms that change and evolve over time.

To remain in tune with your employer or to amplify your impact, you must make fine tuning to your performance and approach to remain effective in our career.

Those who do not, may find themselves falling into a different player group.


RESULTS LEAD TO RESONANCE

As part of a company’s organization the “A” Players and the “B+” Players are in a unique position to help lead teams to achieving critical business objectives. Such results are cumulative and creates an organizational resonance over time.

CAREER PITFALLS

Lessons learned and words of wisdom for fine tuning your career performance


CAREER PITFALLS

Who is my Career

Manager ?

Hope is not a Strategy nor does it float


CAREER PITFALLS

Being a self fulfilling prophecy

A little dirty politics never hurts anyone


CAREER PITFALLS

Complacency breeds

obsolescence

Attitude is everything


CAREER PITFALLS

Be aware of your

surroundings

Sometimes you need to take career

detours


CAREER PITFALLS

Not making an exit plan

No mentors nor staying connected


CAREER WAYPOINTS

Jobs are waypoints in your career Assess your resume once a year Ask yourself:

What did you add? Are you adding results or activities Have you been doing the same job

for over 3-4 years? Is there a trend and direction to the

narrative of your resume? Is the trend pointing you in the

direction you want to go?

If you have fallen into any of the career pitfalls then learn from them

and make corrective actions

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was an app for career management?

ARE YOU FEELING LUCKY?

Hope is not a strategyLuck is not a factor

Fear is not an option


ARE YOU PREPARED?

Opportunities may come without notice

The next business associate you meet may be your next boss

Do you have an elevator speech?


THE GLOBAL MARKET

Electronic Connectivity has made the world smaller

Opening up new markets and opportunities

This also means opening up to global competition

You are no longer “keeping up with the Joneses”, but also the Silva’s, Ivanov’s, Patel’s and Wang’s.


FINDING YOUR NICHE

Gather market intelligence: stay abreast of industry trends and raise awareness of areas of growth Know the types of products or

services that are in the market segment of interest

Perform Supply Chain forensics Understand the market segments Know the objectives that are

being served What are the innovations and

convergences that will create opportunities


SUMMARY

Develop the business plan of YOU Know what your distinctions are

and where you can be of most value

Success is when Opportunity meets preparation, so do your homework

Manage your career Avoid analysis paralysis and career

pitfalls Find a mentor and grow your

network Achieving resonance requires

occasional adjustments to stay in tune or to amplify


MAY YOU RESONATE WITH SUCCESS