Latest

17
Dec
In hardware, "undefined" means "expensive"

In hardware, "undefined" means "expensive"

Your OEM sample might be a real production unit... or a bench Frankenstein. Two reasons you ask an OEM supplier
1 min read
15
Dec
These are your SOPs. Can these workers read them?

These are your SOPs. Can these workers read them?

Recently, I saw an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) where the device's enclosure was named "a dwelling."
1 min read
12
Dec
Why a Chinese boss won't walk you out

Why a Chinese boss won't walk you out

The boss of the factory met you at the airport. But after the meeting at his factory, he just vanished
2 min read
09
Dec
Do not overengineer

Do not overengineer

I have been working with different engineering teams for years, and the only thing that has been common to most
2 min read
08
Dec
The day cheap parts get expensive

The day cheap parts get expensive

Imagine you are a hardware founder. An order is about to ship next week. 10K units, $100 gross margin each.
2 min read
05
Dec
The Importance of "Tea Test"

The Importance of "Tea Test"

I call this the "tea test". It's the simplest way to get the best possible deal
2 min read
03
Dec
Build in China

Build in China

If I were a hardware founder building a new electronics product today, in what country would I start mass production?
2 min read
02
Dec
Make it simple

Make it simple

Founders, it sounds counterintuitive, but hear me out. In wearables, every fraction of a millimeter matters. You fight to reduce
1 min read
01
Dec
Why contracting Foxconn will destroy your startup

Why contracting Foxconn will destroy your startup

The size of your key suppliers is crucial for your hardware startup. Suppliers of the wrong size will literally kill
1 min read
27
Nov
I don't just assign serial numbers

I don't just assign serial numbers

I don't just assign serial numbers to my products. I create a strategic numbering system. Here's
3 min read