Trends & Observations - Jul '06

* Lean outsourcing workshops instructor, Eric Olsen, Ph.D., draws on his former experience as Worldwide Manufacturing Education Manager with Hewlett-Packard and his current responsibilities as Senior Consultant & Lean Practitioner with Venture Outsource to lead delegates through a two-day seminar (September and October, San Jose)

* Attendees in this instruction-based, hands-on learning environment will be guided as they learn to assess their organization's value propositions, and measurements thereof, from a lean perspective; develop a current-state value stream map (VSM) for a key product or service in their organization, and more as they leverage Dr. Olsen's working knowledge; course binder, materials, and supplies provided. Carefully structured break-out sessions instruct attendees to develop an executable plan for implementation, using proven lean practical problem solving skills, preparing attendees for actual project execution upon return to their company. For more, visit: http://ventureoutsource.com/events/conferences/leanmanufacturing.html

* Outsourcing Online Survey Venture Outsource has released its 2006 contract electronics manufacturing industry survey on the Internet, Eyes on Electronics Outsourcing Industry Survey 2006. The survey is designed to privately poll individuals in industry and help survey participants develop a better understanding of the electronics contract manufacturing industry. The survey is sponsored in part by Universal Instruments; Underwriters Laboratories, and TES Electronic Solutions and is accessible online July 17 through August 11. A survey Executive Summary will be emailed to respondents completing the survey. For more information, please visit: http://ventureoutsource.com/events/surveys/contractmanufacturing.html

* A recent CIO poll administered by Deutsche Bank found enabling business processes as the top spending priority for FY07. This top priority was cited by 54.9% of survey respondents. Other priorities included improving IT performance (25.0%), business innovation (13.6%) and cost reductions (6.5%).

* Although overall, global demand for handsets appears to be good, two particular Asian geographies are not tracking as well as earlier predicted. Meanwhile, handset growth in India and Europe could turn out to be flat-to-modest moving into the third quarter. EMS providers Flextronics and Jabil both have deep relations in the mobile sector with handsets accounting for roughly 25% and 15% of revenues, respectively.

VentureOutsource.com, July 2006