I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about storytelling. Partly because I’m reading Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull (and recently shared a reflection on LinkedIn), and partly because it’s impossible to separate Pixar’s success from the power of the stories it tells, both on screen and behind the scenes. Everything matters to Pixar—from the technology to the leadership—but what makes Pixar truly special is the stories it tells about human emotions. They make our human complexity understandable.

That idea carries over directly to our work at I-Connect007.

Good storytelling is about making sense of a world that’s complex, technical, and constantly evolving. In our industry, we’re telling stories at every scale, from the big-picture forces shaping electronics manufacturing down to the smallest details, like features measured in microns that nonetheless determine success or failure.

It’s one reason we’ve brought Design007 and PCB007 together into a single publication: I-Connect007 Magazine. Our goal is to better reflect how the industry actually works: interconnected, interdependent, and richer when viewed as a whole.

With that in mind, here are my must-reads for this week. They are the stories that help explain where we are, how we got here, and what’s happening at every level in between.

Announcing the New, Integrated I-Connect007 Magazine
Published January 20

I’ve worked in the media a long time and one thing I know for sure: Change in inevitable. In fact, a strong media outlet goes where change is happening. That’s why our new magazine is so exciting. Combining our storytelling into one larger issue brings together forces that are already happening in the industry. We just get to help build better bridges. So, please read and share it with your colleagues and friends.

EMS Suppliers: Consider Selling Your Data as a Service
Published January 20

If you’re an EMS supplier, you definitely need to check out this article. As Nolan Johnson states, “Are you looking to separate yourself from the competitive pack in 2026? Beyond adding automation or lowering costs, you can create ‘stickiness’ for your customers by analyzing and selling your data.” This article shares details about what this means and how you can capitalize on data you’re already mining to help your business.

Punching Out: Can I Sell My Business Using AI?
Published January 21

I’m highlighting two articles this week about artificial intelligence (AI). The first is from M&A expert Tom Kastner, who wonders (like many of us are doing these days) whether AI is coming for his job. Can AI really overtake the entire process of selling your business? Does it have the requisite knowledge and skills to render the experts useless? Tom does an excellent job of laying out how AI can help a business owner get the process started, while cautioning us about what AI cannot, and should not, do. You’ll find this highly relatable, even if you’re not selling a business: Where does AI draw the line?

SMT Perspectives & Prospects: 12 Predictions for AI in 2026
Published January 21

Dr. Jennie Hwang continues her series on AI, this time looking at AI trends for 2026. Just as the invention of printed circuit boards, the personal computer, or the internet have shaped an era, so, too, is understanding what AI can accomplish. “Like any powerful force, it will be as benign or malignant as its creators and users,” Jennie writes. She points to 2026 as the year AI becomes a practical force in electronics manufacturing, with its value defined by how responsibly and effectively people choose to use it.

USPAE Grants ‘Greater Access’ to Defense Electronics Manufacturers
Published January 20

We had a couple of strong milaero-focused articles published this week by associations that keep defense electronics top of mind. Here, I’m highlighting an interview with Chris Peters, the founding executive director of the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics. Chris is stepping back from his role with the organization, but helps us gain a better understanding of USPAE’s vision and mission. Chris has been on the front lines, from the hectic start-up days during COVID restrictions, to educating senior leadership in Congress about the impact of offshoring on national security. As domestic suppliers, it’s hard not to be impacted by this topic, so be sure to give this interview a read.