In a clear sign that Yokogawa's North American sales management sees the recovery beginning to happen, the company announced today that it was, effective March 16, appointing Techstar and BBP Sales as their representatives in the two most important US territories for the oil, gas and petrochemical focused automation giant. Techstar will represent Yokogawa in the all-important Houston area including the Ship Channel.

ISA Past President Kim Miller Dunn began the session proper of the 4th Annual Marketing and Sales Summit by discussing the work of the Automation Federation in reaching out to do workforce development and the Automation Competency Model that the AF designed for the US Department of Labor.

Then, Dr. J. Patrick Kennedy, CEO and Founder of OSIsoft and the creator of the concept of a data historian, OSI PI talking about marketing when you're the market leader.

"Kids are natural engineers and we talk them out of it." Kennedy said.

I've burned lots of electrons talking about how to be a good vendor. I've even gotten some shall we say, pointed comments from vendors about being "slapped around."

Fact is, it is a two way street.