Laird Technologies Invests in Employees

Company Creates Laird Technologies University to Upgrade Skills within the Organization for Existing Personnel

St. Louis, Missouri, USA – March 3, 2008 – Laird Technologies, Inc., a global leader of critical components and systems for advanced electronics and wireless products, today announced the creation of Laird Technologies University, a new program designed to educate and train internal employees in support of their professional growth. This program supports the continued development of sales and marketing talent from within the company by providing training, education, and developmental assignments to the group.
The program is designed to provide foundational tools in critical thinking and business acumen to drive enhanced organic growth; develop participants’ ability to evaluate customers’ business, identify opportunities, and craft solutions; develop core skills in account management from the perspectives of building and managing relationships, driving sales, and managing account profitability; as well as promoting cross-divisional cooperation essential to supporting enhanced organic growth initiatives.

Employees participating in the program can achieve ‘professional’ status. This status implies expert selling and product management capabilities; product knowledge and application competence; clear understanding of company direction and strategic intent; unique problem solving skills; excellent communication skills, pride, and discipline; acceptance and credibility; analytical and planning skills; as well as overall comprehension achievement.
In support of the program, Laird Technologies has partnered with Washington University, one of the top 10 universities in the United States of America. Together, Laird Technologies and Washington University’s Olin School of Business have created course material consisting of three modules: Foundation, Development, and Executive. This Foundation Module consists of “must-have” content, teaches day-to-day skills, and moves from “parts” to “systems.” The Development Module teaches application and implementation of the Foundation’s skills, as well as management of business elements. The Executive Module promotes understanding the overall business dynamic, understanding and working with strategy, industry-level business acumen, and MBA-level competence. Employees from North America, Europe, and Asia are eligible to join the group beginning in the Foundation Module and then work their way up to the Executive Module by completing course work and meeting certain criteria.

Laird Technologies has established a core group of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) that will lead the development of the material and work to expand the program worldwide.
“With Laird Technologies University, we are investing in our employees and in the future,” said Sean Harrigan, senior vice president of sales and business development. “The career path of our employees and the development of our future leaders are important to our company. We recognize the company wouldn’t be the success it is today without our employees.”

About Laird Technologies

Laird Technologies designs and supplies customized performance-critical products for wireless and other advanced electronics applications.
Laird Technologies is a global market leader in the design and supply of electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, thermal interface products, signal integrity components, and wireless antennae solutions. The company recently established a growing position in the design and supply of complete radio frequency (RF) modules and systems. These performance-critical products, co-designed in conjunction with customers, are essential in enabling and protecting the functionality of electronic devices and wireless applications.
Custom products are supplied to all sectors of the electronics industry including telecommunications, data transfer and information technology, as well as the automotive, aerospace and defense, consumer electronics, medical, and industrial markets.
Laird Technologies, a unit of The Laird Group PLC, employs over 15,000 employees in 41 facilities located in 13 countries.

For additional information or the name of your nearest Laird Technologies representative contact:
Laird Technologies
Phone +1 (866) 928-8181, 1 + (636) 898-6000
Fax +1 (636) 898-6100
Internet www.lairdtech.com
E-mail sales@lairdtech.com
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