Both four-year degrees and trade schooling have their pros and cons, but student should be aware and educated of the options and opportunities associated to both, says guest blogger Brigitte Neumayr, business development manager at ICONMA. The proactive approach many schools and employers are taking to educate young adults in today’s market will hopefully prove to be successful in closing the skills gap.

In any business—whether you’re selling a product, service or technology—customer service is key to success. The Internet has provided us with a nearly unlimited number of options when it comes to buying. Because of these endless options, it is up to companies selling to offer potential customers the best total experience. This week on the blog, Automation Alley's Kim Krutsch examines how a company can create a culture of strong customer service from top to bottom.

Automation Alley added 15 new members in July. Click the link below to meet them.

Meet long-time Foundation Member HRPro/BenePro and hear how this talent-focused company uses Automation Alley membership to share their message across Southeast Michigan.

The decision-making process for managers is not as simple as cloud vs. no cloud. Once an organization is sold on pursuing the benefits of a cloud solution, there are countless factors it must consider in order to incorporate the new platform effectively into its infrastructure. This week on the blog, the experts at RSM discuss public vs. private cloud solutions for business, one of the earliest and most influential decisions to be made when considering cloud migration.

In the Detroit News, Noel Nevshehir, Automation Alley director of international business services and Industry 4.0 strategic partnerships, shares his thoughts on the impact AI and big data are having on the health care industry. "From blockchain technology to surgical robots, medical experts worldwide agree that big data and artificial intelligence (AI) will play a key role in vastly improving health care quality and delivery. Aided by advances in sensor capabilities, computational power and algorithmic ingenuity, the pace of medical innovation is accelerating rapidly."

Over the past decade, the growing popularity of social media has had an immense impact on society. Social media controls the way we view ourselves, others and the world we live in. It’s become more than a casual activity, but a way of life—and a necessary communication tool for businesses. According to 2018 statistics, there are 2.20 billion Facebook users, 330 million Twitter users, 800 million Instagram users and 250 million LinkedIn users. With all that noise, how does a business separate itself from the pack? Here are some tips to take your social media presence to the next level.

Step into a corporate boardroom or onto a shop floor, and you’re likely to hear the word “teamwork” uttered by leadership. Leveraging diversity of thought and skills to find smart solutions may not be a new concept, but it has increasingly become a necessary approach for employers and employees in today’s Industry 4.0-centered world. This week on the blog, Jack Van Tiem, Kelly Services' Detroit territory vice president, discusses this new generation of automation, information flow and data exchange in manufacturing and its major impact on job creation and elimination, business cost structures, processes and cultures.

Automation Alley added 12 new members in June. Click the link below to meet them.

Ghafari Associates, LLC may be new to Automation Alley, but the company is already seeing the benefits of membership. Learn more about this global engineering and architecture firm and how they’re leveraging Automation Alley membership to share ideas, form stronger client relationships and ultimately bring in more business.