Industry veteran and talent guru Audrey McGuckin is set to deliver both a keynote address and workshop at the upcoming APEX EMS Leadership Day, focusing on the critical connection between talent strategy and business objectives. The session, scheduled for the Monday before the expo opens, promises to bring McGuckin’s practical, hands-on-sleeves-up approach to solving one of the industry’s most pressing challenges.
McGuckin’s methodology stands out for its emphasis on starting with business strategy rather than talent considerations. “If anybody wants to talk about their talent strategy, I’m often gently closing them down,” she explains, preferring instead to begin with fundamental questions about revenue goals, market penetration plans, and cultural objectives. This approach forms the foundation of her “If this, then that” framework, which helps organizations connect their business ambitions directly to their talent needs.
The session will introduce participants to McGuckin’s “Six Bs” formula, which includes critical elements like “binding” (identifying and retaining critical talent), borrowing (outsourcing for specific needs) and “buying” (strategic recruitment). This systematic approach helps organizations answer key questions such as: Who are the team members that would severely impact the business if lost? How should companies approach talent acquisition when entering new markets?
Despite the competitive nature of the EMS industry, McGuckin plans to create an environment of “psychological safety” during the workshop portions. Participants will work in small groups, sharing challenges and collaborating on solutions. “Let’s coalesce together and see how we can do that,” McGuckin suggests, acknowledging the shared challenges facing all industry players.
The session’s structure reflects McGuckin’s belief in combining external expertise with peer learning. While she will provide professional guidance, she emphasizes that “largely the answers are in the room.” This collaborative approach allows participants to benefit from both expert insight and industry peer experience.
The timing of this session is particularly relevant given the current manufacturing landscape in the US. With discussions of a manufacturing renaissance driven by government strategy and incentives, the need for effective talent strategy has never been more critical. McGuckin’s session will address how companies can approach these opportunities while managing the practical challenges of talent acquisition and development.
Drawing from her extensive experience, including 25 years at Jabil, McGuckin brings a unique perspective on the intersection of business strategy and talent management in the EMS industry. Her approach emphasizes the importance of long-term thinking in talent development, even in an industry known for its focus on quarterly results.
The session promises to provide EMS leaders with practical tools and frameworks they can implement in their organizations, while also fostering a collaborative environment for industry leaders to address shared challenges. By combining strategic insight with practical application, McGuckin’s session aims to help participants develop more effective approaches to aligning their talent strategies with their business objectives.
If you haven’t signed up for the EMS Leadership Summit you can still register at www.ipcapexexpo.org/event-info/ipc-ems-leadership-summit.
