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February 17, 2026
VIEWPOINT 2026: Rob Boguski, President, Datest
What the hell is going on? Macro: the chaos in Washington is causing customers to freeze. Business thrives on predictability and stability. Instead we got instability and unpredictability. Tariffs announced one day, rescinded the next. Multiply by tens of thousands of American businesses and the thoroughly predictable event ensues. Adults should know better (and they do). But they won't speak the truth, at least publicly. Is one's political viability so sacrosanct as to bury one's conscience and integrity? Overwhelming evidence suggests the answer is "yes." So, to paraphrase H.L. Mencken, we get what we wished for: Good and Hard. An October 2024 cover of The Economist said "The Envy of the World," referring to the US economy. In one year we've gone from the object of envy to laughingstock. Let that sink in: These United States are now a laughingstock. Congratulations, America. Micro: our customers hit headwinds, laced with molasses. Hopefully, despite the environment (see above), they’ll pick up. Meanwhile, and not waiting, more blocking and tackling: we'll fan out anew, uncove new sectors, regions, markets, and customers. The're out there; we need to make them know they need us. Persuasion time for us. New Promised Lands exist, for those making the effort. We're making the effort, and actively diversifying. Doing more trade shows and producing more webinars. Educating potential clients about the advantages of CT scanning, flying probe testing (by people who know it inside and out), and electromechanical testability analysis (yes your coveted design is lousy from a test coverage standpoint). Plus our traditional ICT business. Evangelizing about our new AXI system, that can beat up anybody else's AXI system. Resolve to not waste time with time-wasting customers. Life's too short, and ignorance abounds. Watch out, world. I'm resolved to use shorter words, with fewer syllables, in 2026. Words like right, wrong, bad, good, dumb, help; in place of iconic, issue, hey, support, alignment, synergy, space, and circling back. Circling back is for satellites. Hey is for horses, Gen Z. Learn manners in 2026. Word pollution is a lesser-known blight on the world. I'm going to do my part in 2026 to strike a notable blow in defense of conciseness. Fasten seat belts, as you may not like what you hear. As always in this commentary, I like to shift gears and emphasize two more things. One is reading and study, preferably of a subject unrelated to one's career trajectory. Read something different. It expands your mind and makes you a more interesting and cherished person. Make a book your friend, read it carefully, and you'll never be boring. I'm currently reading a novel called The Last Hurrah, by Edwin O'Connor. It was published in 1956. A tale of mid-20th Century urban Irish-American politics, it is a thinly disguised biography of James Michael Curley, four-time Mayor of Boston, one-time Governor of Massachusetts, and convicted criminal. It is masterful in its character development, and crystalline view of human nature, warts and all. Check it out. Speaking of characters, my second emphasis is about human relationships. This one's a perennial: get to know, and understand, someone you disagree with. Befriend them if you can. Truly listen to their point of view, even if you can't go along with it. Despite political differences, your acquaintance is a child of God too, just as you are. Both of you have free will, and consciences. Use both; there is much we need to fix. Disagree when you must, but do so respectfully. Meet in the middle when you can, for that, until further notice, is still how we govern ourselves. We are still a Democracy, right? Wishing you a blessed and prosperous 2026, however you choose to define prosperity. Rob Boguski, President Datest http://www.datest.com |
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