Spark 1.0 Schedule
Spark 1.0 will be held virtually in 2023, starting March 22nd and ending April 20th. Sessions will be conducted every Wednesday or Thursday during this five-week period and last four hours per week.
Below is the schedule for the 2022 Spark 1.0 Virtual program for reference.
Session 1: Wednesday, May 18 / Thursday, May 19, 2022 9:00 am – 1:00 pm CST
Focus: Industry, Electronic Components
Objective: Participants increase their understanding and clarity of the electronic component industry’s history, sales channels, current trends, emerging markets, and challenges.
9:00 – 10:00 am
Welcome & Introductions
Jennifer Smith (JMS Synergy)
- Welcome to Spark 1.0
- Spark Program Vision
- What to Expect as a Virtual Spark Attendee Cohort Introductions
10:00 – 11:00 am
Presentation: The Electronic Component Industry
Dave Norris (Norris & Associates)
Presenters will share knowledge and experience on the roles and core competencies of each of the industry’s three channels (Manufacturers, Distributors, and Manufacturers Representatives) and how they work together to support the customer
11:00 – 11:15 am
Break
11:15 – 12:15 pm
Presentation: Emerging Markets
Dale Ford (ECIA)
Review of new and up-and-coming markets entering the electronic components industry
12:15 – 1:00 pm
Group Discussion: Debrief
Jennifer Smith (JMS Synergy)
Interactive group discussion to identify key take-aways and relevance
Session 2: Wednesday, May 25 / Thursday, May 26, 2022 9:00 am – 1:00 pm CST
Focus: Networking, Leveraging Personal Brand Awareness
Objective: Personal brand awareness is heightened as participants realize the power of perception and the value brand recognition carries in managing social media platforms and increasing networking opportunities
9:00 – 11:00 am
Workshop: Build Your Brand
Jennifer Smith (JMS Synergy)
- What is brand recognition?
- Networking and Personal Brand
- The benefits and risks associated with brand perception
11:00 – 11:15 am
Break
11:15 – 12:15 pm
Presentation: Social Media Brand
Heather Fulara (Newark)
- How personal brand recognition will impact your social media presence
- How to leverage the strengths of your brand on social media platforms
12:15 – 1:00 pm
Workshop: Perceptions
Jennifer Smith (JMS Synergy)
- Review individual perception results and discuss self-assessments to be completed for Session four activity
- Strengths Finder
Session 3: Wednesday, June 1 / Thursday, June 2, 2022 9:00 am – 1:00 pm CST
Focus: Personal Development, Leadership
Objective: Participants recognize leadership characteristics, styles, and behaviors impacting organization strategy and culture. Participants realize the benefits of communicating value
9:00 – 10:00 am
Presentation: Advancing Cultural Innovation
Jackie Mattox (Women in Electronics)
Leadership workshop to advance cultural innovation in the industry
10:00 ‑11:00 am
Presentation: Smart Business Analysis to understand one’s true value; communicating to drive profitability
Graham Kilshaw (Lectrix)
- Bring profitability to companies
- The importance of strategy for change, business analysis
- How to communicate your value
11:00 – 11:15 am
Break
11:15 am – 12:30 pm
Networking: Meet A Leader
TBD
Small group of 2 – 3 participants will have an opportunity to virtually meet industry leaders to learn about their careers, challenges faced, and insight in the industry’s future
12:30 – 1:00 pm
Discussion
Jennifer Smith (JMS Synergy)
Debrief the morning leadership presentations and share insights from the Meet a Leader experience
Session 4: Wednesday, June 8 / Thursday, June 9, 2022 9:00 am – 1:00 pm CST
Focus: Personal Development, Develop Your Brand
Objective: Participants gain insight to their innate strengths and their ability to recognize and manage behaviors. Participants develop skills to successfully negotiate.
9:00 – 11:00 am
Workshop: Build Your Brand
Jennifer Smith (JMS Synergy)
Review Strengths Finder assessment results, explore correlations between talents and perceptions, introduce emotional intelligence and the impact it has on one’s brand, and identify individual development growth opportunities
11:00 – 11:15 am
Break
11:15 am – 12:45 pm
Spark Alumni Panel
TBD
Alum graduates of Spark 2.0 provide their views and experiences as participants in the program. Through panelist stories, you will hear how individuals increased their scope of industry knowledge and understanding, recognized opportunities to further develop skills, and expanded their networks across the industry. Participants will engage in an interactive team-building activity.
12:45 – 1:00 pm
Discussion
Debrief panel discussion
Session 5: Wednesday, June 15 / Thursday, June 16, 2022 9:00 am – 1:00 pm CST
Focus: Industry, Future Trends
Objective: Participants take part in dissecting future predictions for industry growth, expansion, and challenges. Participants begin to map their career goals and plan their learning path
9:00 – 10:00 am
Presentation: Industry Association Involvement
David Loftus (ECIA)
The role of industry associations. The benefits the associations offer. How to get involved. Learning and networking resources available to members
10:00 – 11:00 am
Presentation: Electronic Industry Future
Michael Knight (TTI)
The future forecasts, predictions and potential challenges of the electronic components industry
11:00 – 11:45 am
Presentation: Digital Marketing
TBD
Discuss all aspects of digital marketing; the rapid transformation over the last few years and intense Focus with the onset of COVID. With Focus on leveraging multiple channels with the same message themes yet using different content, pulling all levers to reach customers at different points in their education and buying journey
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Reflections from participants
Jennifer Smith (JMS Synergy), Heather Fulara (Newark)
Each participant will share their reflections from the program. All participants management will be invited.