"The Power of Direct Engagement" with Expert Joe Delfino
Hello everyone! Today we are excited to share an enlightening conversation with Joe Delfino. Joe has over 25 years of experience in business development, sales, and marketing within the photonics industry. With degrees in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, Joe began his career in machine vision and transitioned into leadership roles at global companies such as Edmund Optics, Qioptic, and Excelitas. Today, as CEO of a photonics-focused startup and equity holder in another, he bridges technical innovation and commercial success, driving startup growth and investor engagement.
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1. Why Communication Matters in Photonics
Photonics may be about cutting-edge imaging, lasers, and optical technologies, but Joe reminds us that none of it moves forward without people talking to each other.
“We need to have a lot of conversations,” he stresses. Trade shows, sales calls, and face-to-face meetings have always been at the heart of his career. While digital tools help, he points out that true breakthroughs come from direct human interaction.
During the pandemic, the industry was forced into isolation. “It was a big reset,” Joe explains. Now, rebuilding real communication habits - checking in on colleagues, visiting clients, and engaging in person - has become more important than ever.
2. Collaboration Over Competition
Joe believes that startups and established companies in photonics succeed when they work together, not in silos.
Public-private partnerships, strong ties between universities and industry, and supportive investors are crucial for an industry where it can take a decade or more to turn an idea into a product.
He cites a favorite proverb:
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
It’s a reminder that in a world of complex challenges, open communication and collaboration are not optional—they’re essential.
3. Advice for Young Professionals
For the next generation, Joe’s advice is clear: don’t just watch - participate.
“It’s not about sitting behind a screen. It’s about actively engaging. Get out there - go to trade shows, visit companies, meet people. That’s how growth happens.”
He encourages young professionals to:
Build meaningful relationships beyond LinkedIn connections.
Learn to listen deeply and understand others’ challenges.
Seek mentors and conversations that expand knowledge.
Above all, he highlights empathy - checking in not only with clients but also with peers and colleagues. Business, after all, is still about people.
4. Closing Thoughts
Our talk with Joe Delfino shows that the future of photonics is not only built on lasers and optics - it’s built on conversations, trust, and partnerships.
For startups, SMEs, and young professionals entering the industry, Joe’s message is both simple and powerful: success depends on how well we engage, connect, and collaborate.
Do you need support from an expert like Joe Delfino? Or, are you looking to join the expert community at SalesPro4U? Feel free to reach out at expert@salespro4u.com.
Stay tuned for more enlightening episodes of “The Expert Talk”.
Until then, take care!
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