New resources for now, 2007

Renee Robbins, Editorial Director -- Control Engineering, 12/1/2006

If there's anything I've learned about helping to create, shape, and relay knowledge to engineers for 20 years, it's that engineers love to know things. When you don't know something, you'll dig until you find an answer that satisfies. When you do know something, it can take a seismic shift to get you to change your mind.

Delivering solid, authoritative information on techniques, technologies, and products is the main way Control Engineering helps you know what you need to know. Another way is by introducing you to new resources for your own research and analysis. A new monthly column called “International Insight” brings you resources and ideas related to doing business across time zones. Whether you're part of the 25% of Control Engineering subscribers whose jobs involve collaboration with China, or have been assigned only recently to projects outside North America, this column will help you know more.

Another resource this month is the Automation Integrator Guide, a bound supplement containing information on over 1,000 system integrators focused on control, automation, and instrumentation. A System Integrator of the Year competition and Webcast archived on www.controleng.com can teach you how best to choose and use such companies.

I've even enlisted a representative from one of our winning companies to provide you another resource. Starting in January, Chuck Sherman, managing director of The Benham Companies, will author a blog and print column on what to know to be successful in your career. It's tentatively titled, “Control your Own Destiny.” You'll get ideas about success with project scopes and schedules, as well as about those pesky, sometimes prickly interpersonal encounters that some engineers find so mysterious.

“Good engineers realize that they really are in control of their own destinies,” says Chuck. “When you're working on project, or working with a client, if you can show them that you can satisfy their needs, you can build your own security.” Clients, he adds, are both internal and external, and sometimes they masquerade as peers or subordinates.

All good to know, as you make plans to control your own destiny in the new year. Happy holidays!

renee.robbins@reedbusiness.com

2007 System Integrator of the Year Awards Webcast
Tune in and find out how these award-winning system integrators are implementing technology and business to better serve the industry.