Career Roadmap
Phil's work combines: Technology, Business, and Learning / Being Challenged
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Graduate Degree
MBA, MS, BS
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Commercial and Industrial Designers:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Physics, General
Graduate Degree: Engineering, General
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
Designed product for Polaroid.
2.
Be as creative in developing the product as in innovating. The importance of time to market.
3.
Leveraged outside resources in Asia.
4.
Became an expert in Asia.
5.
Realized that the invention is just 5% of what's needed for a successful product.
6.
Learned all aspects of consumer product marketing, PR, manufacturing, etc.
7.
Co-founded and became president of my own company that invented the folding keyboard.
8.
Wrote the book "From Concept to Consumer", the first practical guide to what it takes to succeed.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
Product can't be done. No one will pay the price. Need consensus. Need to get along. Can't make a decision on your own. No one will buy it.
How I responded:
You need to plow ahead against naysayers with your product, but don't do it in isolation. You need to have points along the way where you do credibility checks.