FWC IEEE Consultants Network
Date: May 26, 2009 at 5:30pm
Location: Chili’s in Largo (at US19 and East Bay Drive at the Tri-City Shoppinp Mall) Clearwater, FL
The IEEE FWCS Consultants Network is having its first meeting to determine the direction of this newly formed group. The founding members wish to receive input from the members and guests. They also will start the process to select the Board of Directors for the group and plan program activities.
Why we started the Consultants network:
Our diverse membership provides specialist expertise in electrical engineering, software development, systems engineering, project management and many application areas. Wide-ranging experience extends across domestic and international industries of all sizes, academia and the public sector.
The IEEE Consultants Network Groups serve three constituencies:
- consulting members of the IEEE
- business and industry
- the greater public
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Boston Section of the IEEE Consultants' Network
Date: May 27, 2009 at 6:30 PM
All Software Is Defective – Implications for the Software Industry
The impact that software has on all sectors of society is staggering. More than ever, people rely on software to perform tasks from the mundane to mission critical - and everything in between. Yet, all software is defective. How is it that we are so dependent on products that are inherently defective? As Watts Humphrey says, it is because "defective software works." Well, most of the time anyway. Major industries such as healthcare and biotechnology, banking and financial services, aerospace and defense, consumer electronics and automotive, have become so dependent on software that software is often the critical path for new product development. And our dependence is only increasing.
This dependence has led to several high profile examples of software failures that have resulted in significant financial loss as well as loss of life. Because software engineering is an inherently human process, it is not possible to develop software with zero defects. The past five decades of software engineering history has proven this. And this is not likely to change in the near future.
This talk discusses the implications of defective software from the perspective of developers, testers, and managers and suggests techniques that can be used to reduce the impact defective software has on your business, your customers, and society in general.
Steve Rakitan Biography
Steve has over 35 years experience as a software engineer and software quality manager. He frequently speaks on topics related to software development and software quality at conferences worldwide.
He's published several papers on the subject of software quality and a written a book titled Software Verification & Validation for Practitioners and Managers. As President of Software Quality Consulting, Inc., he works with clients who are interested in improving the predictability of their development processes and the quality of their products.
Steven R. Rakitin of Software Quality Consulting, Inc.
Business Phone: 508.529.4282
Business Email: steve@swqual.com
Business Website: http://www.swqual.com
Please Note:
No charge for Consultants Network members and non-members. The meeting is free and open to the public. Casual dress.
The Consultants Network meeting starts at 6:30 PM. The meeting location is at Foley Hoag LLP, Emerging Enterprise Center, Bay Colony Corporate Center, 1000 Winter Street, Suite 4000, North Entrance, Waltham MA.
From Route 128 take Exit 27B (Winter Street). At the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto Wyman St. At the next set of lights, turn right on Winter St. Stay in the far right lane and continue around the reservoir. Turn left at Bay Colony Corporate Center. Proceed to 1000 Winter Street and enter at the NORTH entrance
http://www.foleyhoag.com/TheFirm/Offices/Emerging%20Enterprise%20Center%20at%20Foley%20Hoag.aspx
Check the Consultants Network website for details and last minute information of our upcoming lectures series for 2008-2009 http://www.boston-consult.com/calendar.php
For more information, e-mail cn.boston@ieee.org or chairman@boston-consult.com; or contact the chairman Tom Vaughan at 781-344-0087. The Consultants Network website is at www.boston-consult.org.
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IEEE Consultants' Network of Northern NJ
When: Thursday, May 28, 2009
Where: Olive Restaurant, Parsippany Hilton, One Hilton Court, Parsippany, NJ 07054 Phone: (973) 267-7373 (Dinner:7:00–8:00pm) (Presentation:8:00–9:00pm) (www.parsippany.hilton.com)
About the Topic
Would you like to write your own patent application or just learn more about US patent law?
The presentation will deal with a variety of changes in US patent law that have arisen over the past year or so and the potential consequences thereof. The presentation will begin, however, with a brief introduction to patent law.
Recent developments in patent law revolve around case law that addresses issues including: USPTO changes to patent practice rules; inequitable conduct during patent prosecution; the scope of patentable subject matter; obviousness and standards of patentability; and the availability of permanent injunctions against infringers.
Time will be reserved at the end for questions from the audience, to discuss topics of particular interest.
About the Speaker
Kevin M. Curran, Esq., received a B.A. in Integrated Science from Northwestern University; an M.A. in International Studies from the Loyola University Chicago Graduate School of Political Science; and a J.D. from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Kevin is a Patent Attorney registered to practice before the United States Patent & Trademark Office. Having practiced law over eleven years, Kevin has extensive Intellectual Property (“IP”) experience in prosecution, litigation, client counseling, transactions, and Sarbanes-Oxley (“SOX”) compliance. Among the areas handled in his practice are patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Kevin worked for four years as senior in-house IP counsel at SAP, the world’s largest multinational business application software provider. After returning to the US, he launched his own solo legal practice (Curran Patent Law). Kevin can be reached at Kevin@CurranPatentLaw.com or (650) 283-0469.
RSVP by Tuesday, May 26. Contact Robert Walker at robert@rdwalker.com or 973-728-0344 - Specify whether you will be attending the dinner portion of the meeting (recommemded).
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IEEE Consultants Network of Long Island (LICN)
Date: June 3, 2009, 6:45pm Refreshments, 7:00pm Business Meeting, 7:30pm Presentation begins
Where: Briarcliffe College, 1055 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, NY
(Directions: [LIE Exit 44, South 2.77 mi | Alt: So.State Pkwy Exit 28a, North 6.40 mi] on Route 135 to Exit 9, [right |Alt: left] onto Broadway, after [0.12 mi |Alt: 0.21 mi] turn right on Cherry Ave, after 0.42 mi turn right on Stewart Ave, after 0.45 mi turn left on Pine Ave, go past the first parking lot and then right into the Student Parking for Briarcliffe College.)
Topic: "Planning for Retirement in Today’s Financial Climate," by Tony Borelli, an Investment Advisor with MML Investor Services. He will talk to us about planning for retirement in today's financial climate.
Admission is free (no charge) and no pre-registration is required. Guests, please let us know you are coming so we can provide refreshments. RSVP: Peter Buitenkant: peterbui@optonline.net
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IEEE Consultants’ Network of San Diego (CNSD)
If you're looking to hire a consultant, we invite you to join us at our CNSD monthly meetings. Held the second Monday of every month (The next meeting is Monday, June 8, 2009 7:00 pm.), it will give you a chance to interview our members in person. For more information on our next meeting, contact Kent Deines at 858-395-0229 or info@ieeeconsultants.com.
Where: Sizzler Restaurant, 3755 Murphy Canyon Rd (NW corner of I-15 & Aero Drive)
When: Monday, June 8, 2009 6:00pm Member networking, Dinner (on your own) Program
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IEEE Dallas Section Consultants Network
Date: Monday, June 8, 2009
Location: Holiday Inn Select, 1655 North Central Expressway, Richardson, TX (south of Campbell Road, west side of Central)
Time: Social/Networking/Dinner 6:15 pm Program 6:45 pm.
Cover: $5 for IEEE Members, $15 for non-IEEE Members/Guests (includes light supper buffet) IEEE members who RSVP may bring a guest for a guest charge of only $5 if they RSVP by the Friday before the meeting.
Speaker: Bruce Painter
Topic: Five Breakthrough Secrets of Champions (How to Have More Money, and More Time All Leading to a Better Life Style)
Description: Five Breakthrough Secrets of Champions (How to Have More Money, and More Time All Leading to a Better Life Style) is an inspirational talk with specific tools to help us breakthrough barriers that prevent success, and help us achieve what we truly desire..
Bruce begins his presentation by giving us keys to help us succeed in our challenging economic times. He also shares some wisdom from working with clients, ranging from an aspiring golf-pro, to a former House Majority Leader, House of Representatives, State of Hawaii, to a successful head of a large Equitable Life Office.
Bruce is an expert in helping us understand what prevents people from achieving their goals. For example, he looks at hidden causes that make people fall behind financially, instead of getting ahead.
And he addresses why some people reach a certain level of success, and it seems no matter what they do, they don't go beyond that level.
Be sure to attend this program. Bring a friend. You will leave with inspiration, helpful insight, and specific tools to breakthrough in the attainment of your dreams and aspirations.
Speaker Bio:
Bruce Painter, “The Breakthrough Mogul”, is a celebrity author, radio show host and speaker. For over 30 years, he has been speaking to hundreds of audiences, and is a trainer as well as a master coach. Bruce helps us conquer the challenges that exist between where we are and where we want to be, and take the steps to get the results we desire.
Bruce has been featured on radio nation wide, and has been on TV programs including “Pittsburgh Live Today” and “Positively Texas.” This media interest is connected to his powerful book titled The Giving Zone. He shows us how to breakthrough to achieve our professional and personal dreams by using the power of giving. Bruce is also creator of The Giving Zone Game that teaches children that giving and values are fun.
Bruce works with independent business professionals and leaders to create breakthroughs to build their business and achieve their personal goals, in order to have more money, better relationships and a better lifestyle.
Tom Okamura, Former Majority Leader, House of Representatives, State of Hawaii, says of Bruce Painter, "I have lowered the amount of stress in my life and have developed an inner calmness that is greatly needed in my work. I have personally recommended your services to several close friends who are also very happy with your work."
Bruce is well suited for programs that include training along with speaking – 30 minutes, one hour, half day, full day, or longer.
Bruce has a variety of personal interests including having done archeology in Peru, and a parachute jump in Hawaii. He has also participated in ballroom dance competitions.
He and his wife Shoshana Painter, a seminar leader, live in Frisco, Texas.
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Consultants' Network of Silicon Valley (IEEE-CNSV)
Date: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 5:30 PM
Where: Del Monte Restaurant, 100 South Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
($24: dinner, vegetarian option; 5:30 No-host bar, 6:30 Dinner, 7:30 Announcements, 7:45 Presentation Use PayPal (which now allows you to use a credit card), or mail a $24 check payable to IEEE-CNSV to Brian Berg, 14500 Big Basin Way, Suite F, Saratoga, CA 95070, and send an email to this effect to Brian Berg.)
The Life of SPICE
While the integrated circuit industry thrives on constant change and new technology, the SPICE circuit simulation program has been around the industry for almost forty years. As a result, many engineers who make use of this software weren't even born when Larry Nagel released its first version.
This talk will chronicle the journey of SPICE since the late 1960s: its origins as a teaching program at UC Berkeley, its spread into industry, and its creation of a cottage industry that supports and expands the variants of "alphabet SPICE." Dr. Nagel will credit the various contributors to this saga while sharing a bounty of amusing stories.
Larry will also speculate on how this particular program has evolved while staying pretty much the same, a claim that likely no other computer program can make.
About the Speaker
Laurence W. Nagel has worked in the IC industry for nearly 40 years. He developed the SPICE circuit simulation program while earning his BS, MS, and PhD degrees at UC Berkeley. Larry then began a 20 year career at Bell Laboratories which included developing the ADVICE circuit simulation program; participating in the development of the Kull-Nagel bipolar model; designing analog circuits for submicron NMOS processes; working in the AT&T Intellectual Property Division on assertion of patents and negotiation of patent licenses; and serving as project manager in the development of the Celerity circuit simulation program.
Dr. Nagel then joined Anadigics, Inc., where he managed simulation of RF integrated circuits; modeling and characterization of GaAs MESFET device processes; and importing silicon CMOS design tools and foundry support. In 1998, he founded Omega Enterprises Consulting, through which he offers services in analog and RF integrated circuit design, device modeling, circuit simulation, and expert witness work in patent and trade secret litigation. Larry is an IEEE Fellow.
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Consultants' Network of Silicon Valley Seminar Series (IEEE-CNSV)
Date: Friday, June 12, 2009 8:30 AM
Where: KeyPoint Credit Union, 2805 Bowers Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95051
Cost: $47 CNSV/IEEE Members, $147 non-members
Communication Tools for Consultants with Steven Cerri
As a consultant, you often believe that you are hired primarily for your technical expertise. But actually it's more complicated than that. Your clients do indeed want your technical expertise, but they also want to work with you in a positive, productive, and amicable way. That means you must have good communication skills. It means that you have to connect with your customers on a level that builds rapport.
And it's become clear to the successful consultant members in IEEE-Consultants' Network of Silicon Valley (CNSV), that effective communication is critical to your success as a consultant. That's why they are co-sponsoring this event. Here is your chance to get even more successful than you already are by improving your communication skills.
Whether you are...
1. reaching out to a potential customer
2. negotiating a contract
3. defining requirements
4. delivering products
5. getting paid
The better your communication skills, the greater your success.
In this class, you will learn...
1. how to build natural rapport
2. how to connect with your potential clients so they feel comfortable with you
3. how to motivate your customer to tell you their actual needs and expectations
4. how to expand your client base beyond the "easy" clients to the rest of your potential base
(Laptops are not required for this session.)
About the Speaker
Steven Cerri is an expert in the inter-personal people skills necessary to successfully transition from engineer to organizational leader and in the soft skills necessary for successful technical management and leadership. He personally has made the transition from engineer, to program manager, to vice president of engineering, to general manager, and now trains and coaches engineers and managers in communication, management, and leadership.
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Consultants' Network of Silicon Valley Seminar Series (IEEE-CNSV)
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2009 8:30 AM
Where: Cogswell Polytechnic College, 1175 Bordeaux Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94089
Cost: $47 CNSV/IEEE Members, $67 non-members
Marketing Your Consulting Services On craigslist with Carl Angotti
One of the most important activities needed to increase your consulting business is to market your services. It has become clear to the successful members of the IEEE Consultants' Network of Silicon Valley (IEEE-CNSV) that marketing on craigslist should be near the top of any successful consultants' To-Do list. Here is your chance to be even more successful.
This workshop is presented by Carl Angotti. He and other engineering consultants have used craigslist to successfully market their services for several years, and Carl has agreed to share his secrets.
Bring your wireless-capable laptop. Using the Cogswell WiFi network, you will build your marketing presence in real time. At 12:30pm you will walk out with a marketing page on craigslist that interested potential customers can use to find you and your services.
This class is for Consultants with a minimum of one year of experience who want to reach more potential customers. This is a big step in building or expanding your consulting business.
About the Speaker
Carl Angotti, P.E., focuses on enhancing and accelerating your new Product Development processes. He has been helping Bay Area firms get their products to market for 25 years. His industry experience includes electronics product development incorporated in Telecommunications, Industrial Measurement, Medical Systems, Energy Management Systems, Automatic Test Systems, Consumer Products, Computers and CRT-based Systems.
Carl's electronic skills encompass Digital and ASIC design, Microprocessors and Controllers, and Analog Design. He has served as a Legal Expert Witness, and he is a member of IEEE and CNSV.
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Boston Network IEEE Consultants Network
Date: June 24, 2009 – 6:30pm
Where: Foley-Hoag, 1000 Winter Street, Suite 4000, Waltham, MA
Creating a compelling value proposition: Turning your services from a "so what?" to a "must have"
Join Barbara Bix, Principal of BB Marketing Plus for a lively meeting where we´ll discuss how to develop and deploy value propositions that will capture attention and motivate key stakeholders to take action.
What problem does your service solve? How important is this problem? Who will benefit most from the solution and how?
These are three questions every prospective decision maker, user and referral source will have. And, in today´s competitive environment, success depends on providing them with clear, concise relevant information that addresses these concerns--before they ask.
Participants will learn how to:
Determine what makes a value proposition compelling
Identify gaps in current marketing messages
Create compelling value prospositions and/or validate the effectiveness of existing value propositions
EXERCISE:
Play the value proposition game. In the second part of the session, participants will have the opportunity to help a volunteer improve his/her value proposition.
BIO:
Barbara Bix is the Managing Principal of BB Marketing Plus (www.bbmarketingplus.com). BB Marketing Plus has helped more than 75 local accelerate sales.
A seasoned marketing strategist, Barbara earned her stripes marketing flagship products at EMC, Motorola, GE, and Wang. She has an MBA from The Wharton School and has completed postgraduate work at Northeastern's State of the the Art Engineering program and at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Barbara has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal as an online marketing expert and her articles have appeared in numerous publications including The Boston Business Journal, Mass High-Tech, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and online in Marketing Profs, Rain Today, and Salesopedia. Her blog, The Top Line, for Accounting Web that advises accountants on concrete actions they and their business-to- business clients can take to accelerate revenues.
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Barbara Bix, Principal
BB Marketing Plus
617-964-8193
PLEASE NOTE:
No charge for Consultants Network members or non-members. The meeting is free and open to the public. Casual dress.
The Consultants Network meeting starts at 6:30 PM. The meeting location is at Foley Hoag LLP, Emerging Enterprise Center, Bay Colony Corporate Center, 1000 Winter Street, Suite 4000, North Entrance, Waltham, MA. From Route 128 take Exit 27B (Winter Street). At the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto Wyman St. At the next set of lights, turn right on Winter St. Stay in the far right lane and continue around the reservoir. Turn left at Bay Colony Corporate Center. Proceed to 1000 Winter Street and enter at the NORTH entrance
http://www.foleyhoag.com/TheFirm/Offices/Emerging%20Enterprise%20Center%20at%20Foley%20Hoag.aspx
Check the Consultants Network website for details and last minute information of our upcoming lectures series. http://www.boston-consult.com/calendar.php
For more information, e-mail cn.boston@ieee.org or chairman@boston-consult.com; or contact the chairman Tom Vaughan at 781-344-0087. The Consultants Network website is at www.boston-consult.org.
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IEEE Consultants' Network of Northern NJ
Hitting Bottom Is the Best Thing That Can Happen to You -- But I Wouldn’t Wish It on Anyone
On June 25, 2009 the IEEE Consultants' Network of Northern NJ (www.TechnologyOnTap.org) will be holding its monthly meeting, beginning at a new time: 6pm. We will feature a talk by Randi Altschul about her exciting approach to new product development.
ABOUT THE TOPIC
Randi Altschul offers unorthodox views on new product development – something of great interest to independent engineering practitioners. She spoke to the Consultants’ Network in the past; this presentation is a follow-up to her well-received talk on entrepreneurship in 2000. In her own words:
“Over the past few years my life has been a roller coaster ride from which I have emerged better than I ever was before. Smarter, Stronger, More Energized than I’d ever thought possible. During this time I lost everything I owned and the two people I loved more than anything, but all in all I wouldn’t change a thing because I’m in a really good place, I own several new companies and am developing groundbreaking product for industries I never thought I’d enter. Conceive it, Believe it, Achieve it! And never let them get you down.
“Our discussion will take you through the creation and development of incredible products to the pitfalls along the way and the realization that they can take everything away but as long as you have your brain and your reputation you can make miracles happen.”
About the Speaker
Randice-Lisa Altschul is an inventor of new products and author of books and intellectual properties. She created the disposable cell phone, the credit card phone, the programmable debit card, the paper laptop, and other new products and properties which range from games and game shows to high tech electronics and everything in between, including food, gifts, etc. She has licensed more than 250 projects around the World and has been associated with major licenses since she started her first company, Dieceland, in 1985.
Her first major project was the Miami Vice game, which put her on the map in the toy industry. She went on to create games and shows for the likes of Tonka, Coleco, Ohio Art, Toy Biz, and NBC.
Randi has written several books, including her memoir, “Financiers, Lawyers and Other Assorted Snakes” and her latest novel, “Sorry, You Can’t Enter Heaven”. She was the first inventor represented by William Morris Agency and the first inventor contracted by NBC to develop merchandise-based television programs. Randi has two patents on Interactive Cereal and numerous patents in the telecommunication / technology fields.
Randi Altschul established herself as a creative resource to virtually any market from simple toys and games, to television, medical and high-tech industries. She also teaches classes on How to Make Money from Your Ideas. For more information, visit www.inventing411.com.
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IEEE Consultants Network of Kansas City
Special Seminar on July 11th, 2009
This special seminar on consluting will be held on Saturday, July 11th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, I-435 & Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park, KS. The seminar topic is "Becoming and Successfully Practicing as a Consultant", and will be presented by Dr. Gary Blank. Deadline for reservations is 5:00pm on Friday, July 5th. The cost for IEEE members registering before the deadline will be $200. The cost for non-members will be $300. Click here for more information, or contact: Cale Yates, KCCN Chair, email: cbyates3@comcast.net, Phone: 816-795-5682.
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