New Publication:
Outsourcing Everything But the Kitchen Sink
In 1979 I was among a handful of minority engineering students in classes full of bright American-born students. Now, in less than 30 years, I see a major shift. Bright American-born students are the minority in these engineering classes, full of eager and aspiring non-American-born students--many of whom have the laudable desire to return to their home countries after being educated here. What will happen to the available talent pool in America? Will we maintain our leadership position as innovaters and technological entrepreneurs in the coming century?
My mission is to tell my story as an immigrant, an engineer in Silicon Valley, and a business entrepreneur in the hope of re-empowering America to compete with and participate in the global workforce. America is my adopted country, my home, and a nation I deeply love. Innovation and problem-solving are still America's strength, though it will take new thinking, engaging America's youth, community participation, and careful legislation to keep our leadership vital.
REVIEWS
Michele Ahi has written a thoughtful, experiential, and exciting argument on what it will take for America to continue to lead, innovate, and solve critical global problems in this century.
We've all witnessed the departure of large sectors of jobs for India and Asia -- and it's great to see those nations developing such strong workforces. Yet, having witnessed first hand the devestation left behind in a small American manufacturing town, and there are many, after the manufacturing that had supported the town for 200 years left, it is clear that America has come to its own crossroads. We will either accept the current realities, wring our hands at the loss of jobs and production, and grumble about how we used to make things and wish we still did; or, we will rise into this competitive new world, legislate in a way that is fair and that motivates business to look for talent at home, and thoroughly invest in our communities and our workforce to ensure we not only compete but lead - and lead big - in one of the most important centuries for leadership and problem-solving humanity has ever faced.
Jennifer Fey
Mountain View, CA
I truly enjoyed this book, as it speaks to the heart of a major problem with the US economy - outsourcing - a primary cause of the unemployment rate in our country. Anyone that has driven through the heartland and/or has family that relied on the industrial strength of our country can relate to this devastating problem.
Ellie did a great job communicating the problem, the issues, and her thesis on how we can best adapt. She tells the tale by first reaching the reader by sharing her own experiences in her perception of the US as she came here to fulfill her dreams 30 years ago and then watched as the economic climate changed over the decades during her career as an engineer and entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. By taking a proactive approach, rather than a merely-reactive one, she's not trying to explain how we can un-cook the egg. She admits, rather, that outsourcing is here to stay. And, she's suggesting a viable global approach that can help Americans continue to play a strong role through collaboration in the world economy.
Brian Boyer
Silicon Valley, CA
VIDEO
Michele Ahi is excited to take her message into small and large group settings, whether speaking with business professionals or high school students, in order to invigorate a national dialogue about how Americans everywhere can realign our skills for leadership in the 21st century.
Reach out to Michele if you would like her to speak to your group. Our next scheduled engagements are for Santa Clara University (CA) in March 2010.
