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
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
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.
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
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 by: Donald Cheng
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 Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
THE BUSINESS OF YOU
PREMISE: You are the CEO of YOU
WHAT IS YOU’s: Value Add Passion Interests Specialization Core Competency
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
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?
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
BRANDING YOU
Reputationu
Characteru
Perceptionu
Ethicsu
Code of Conductu
Opinionu
Su=1
8
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
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
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
SOCIAL VS PROFESSIONAL
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
THE YOU, INC BUSINESS PLAN
Avoid “Analysis Paralysis”
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
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
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
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
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
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.
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
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
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
CAREER PITFALLS
Who is my Career
Manager ?
Hope is not a Strategy nor does it float
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
CAREER PITFALLS
Being a self fulfilling prophecy
A little dirty politics never hurts anyone
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
CAREER PITFALLS
Complacency breeds
obsolescence
Attitude is everything
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
CAREER PITFALLS
Be aware of your
surroundings
Sometimes you need to take career
detours
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
CAREER PITFALLS
Not making an exit plan
No mentors nor staying connected
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
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
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
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 Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
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.
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
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
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
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
The Resonating Career by: Donald Cheng
MAY YOU RESONATE WITH SUCCESS