Based on prior feedback, the focus of this year’s workshop will be “Consulting Nuts and Bolts,” followed by an “Ask The Consultants” panel discussion. Both sessions will provide you with more insights into the working life of a consultant from our speakers’ personal experiences and perspectives. Join us to learn from and network with established consultants and those who are interested in consulting.

Agenda

1:30 – 2:00 Registration and Networking
2:00 – 2:05 Introduction – Kai Wong
2:05 – 2:55 It’s All About Relationships – Marketing for Consultants and Consulting Firms” – Christine Lambden and Casey Conner slides Slides
2:55 – 3:45 “Engineering Consulting Business – 20 Years Experience to Share” – Darrel Word slides Slides
3:45 – 4:00 Break
4:00 – 4:50 “A Consulting Startup Journey” – Andrew Cahoon slides tools Slides
4:50 – 5:20 “Business Analysis: Its Value and Application for Consultants” – Abdul Jabali slides Slides
5:20 – 6:00 “Ask a Consultant Panel” (Moderator – Bob Baker): Conner, Lambden, Word, Cahoon, Jabali, and Ron Macklin

Location

Freescale Bldg-A Conference Center at 7700 W. Parmer Lane, Austin – Map

Registration

Cost for this workshop: $20/$30 IEEE members; $25/$35 Public; In Advance/At Door.

Seating is limited. Please RSVP by April 16

Please pay at the event with cash or check to IEEE-CTS. No Credit Cards please.

Please register by filling in the form below and emailing back to Bob Baker at: rjbakeratx@austin.rr.com

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Registration Form for IEEE Consultant Workshop on April 23, 2010

Name:____________________ _____________________ Company/Org:________________________

Email Address:_________________________________ Position:___________________________

IEEE Member: Yes / No *Will you like to join IEEE? Yes – will get the $20/$30 rate.

Speakers and Panelists Biographies

Christine Lambden and Casey Conner

Christine Lambden and Casey Conner are the authors of two books that relate to consulting: Everyday Practices of Extraordinary Consultants (2008) and Extraordinary Interviews (2009). They are also the founders and primary instructors at ConsultingStance.com, an online community and training resource for consultants. They have a combined total of more than 35 years in the consulting industry and their advice is based on personal experience in the trenches as consultants, clients, and consulting firm owners.

Darrell Word

Dr. Darrell R. Word, PhD, PE is an electrical engineer with extensive experience in both academia and industry. He has a particular strength in math and physics and underlying principles of science and engineering; and this includes a strong background in electromagnetics. He also has substantial knowledge and experience in mechanical engineering and electro-mechanical systems. Dr. Word has practiced extensively in the areas of instrumentation, analog circuits and systems, data acquisition, signal processing and control systems. A diverse technical knowledge has also enabled a professional practice in several other disciplines, including RF Systems, Antennas, Radio navigation, electrical power engineering, and electrical geophysics. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. His principal focus is on professional engineering and consulting for industry, and some teaching as an adjunct professor in the ECE department at UT-Austin (presently not teaching), and with occasional work as an expert witness for selected legal cases in which he can help.

Andrew Cahoon

Andrew Cahoon’s formal education includes a BS in Computer Engineering (Univ. of Illinois), an Executive MBA (Univ. of Oregon), and Lean training (Toyota, Porsche, McKinsey). Most of his career has been in high technology working in development and management roles for firms that include AMD, Intel, Synopsys, Freescale/Motorola and other established firms along with startups such as PowerPrecise (acquired by Texas Instruments) and ETA Systems (acquired by Control Data Corporation) in roles from IC Design Engineer to Director of Engineering. In the past year, he has started Clarum Group LLC to focus his energy on a passion for process improvement with other kindred spirits. In his spare time, he enjoys family activities and doing volunteer work with youth robotics organizations in the Austin area. He has been married for 30 years and has two children.

Abdul Jabali

Abdul Jabali is the founder and chief business consultant at Interconnected Business Services, LLC. He brings with him over fifteen years of experience in business analysis gained in fields that include environmental, internet, and telecommunications. His experience in business analysis is supplemented by years in project management and business process development.

Ron Macklin

Ron Macklin brings a solid career and an excellent track record spanning over 30 years in the high tech industry working for a Fortune 500 company in the areas of equipment design, safety, and ergonomics. From 2000 to 2008, he held the position of Member Technical Staff, Product Ergonomist, a corporate level position within Applied Materials, Inc., the world’s leading supplier of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Today, as the principal at R. Macklin & Associates, an independent consultancy, Ron builds upon his successes and experiences gained as an internal consultant during his tenure at Applied Materials, applying proven techniques, and remaining committed to supplying safe, value-added solutions for his clients.