Building the Virtual Resource Pipeline:
Extending Your High-Tech Resources Beyond Company and Geographic Boundaries
Instructor: Wayne Mackey, Principal and D. Scott S. Elliott, Principal, Product Development Consulting, Inc.

For many companies, resource planning still means trying to fulfill requirements for development and manufacturing with internal capacity. However, many successful companies in the Internet Age are thinking beyond traditional boundaries and finding competitive advantage by establishing a Virtual Resource Pipeline—using the best available resources around the world to satisfy demand and maximize customer value. In this interactive work session, participants will learn:

• Methods to identify the portfolio of worldwide resources available for high tech industries
• Techniques to put together win-win partnerships spanning the virtual enterprise using effective contracts, risk-reward sharing and career enhancement opportunities
• How to lead a virtual, remote alliance of designers and other R&D resources using the Internet and modern telecommunications
• How to turn geographic diversity into a competitive advantage
• Turn the "time zone paradox" into a 24 x 7 opportunity
• Mitigate cultural and language differences
• Mine local content "gems" for your global products
• How to keep score with metrics and lead a secure extended enterprise
• How to avoid the potential pitfalls of virtual resources using best practice examples from leading pioneers in the field

Case studies and examples will be taken from high-tech industries, but participants from all industries are welcome.