Automation Unplugged Podcast

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Phil and Pat Mulligan: Logistical hurdles faced when running a Hawaii based business Pat's time in the Army and the transition into the custom integration industry How Pat and Phil prepare their projects for extreme weather conditions The Ballistic Missle scare from 2018 To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the s...

We just wrapped up recording show #145 featuring Bert Herrrero, CEO of First Priority Audio, and Joel Hernandez, their General Manager. Here, Bert shared with us how a pivotal book he read helped him focus more on the business than in the business while Joel discussed their latest sales process overhaul.  If you haven't already listened to the full interview, make sure to check out show #145 here...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Bert Herrero and Joel Hernandez Creating a balance as a family owned business Bert’s passion for re-investing in his community, including his partnerships with ministries around South Florida How COVID-19 has impacted First Priority Audio Their innovative use of social media marketing to drive company growth To get transcripts, re...

Welcome to the Automation Unplugged After Show! When scheduling permits, we will take some time after we record the official episode to dig a little deeper with our guest, learn more about them, their hobbies, or frankly, anything that I think you might want to learn more about. We just wrapped up recording show #144 featuring Patrick Hartman, General Manager at Diversified Systems International....

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Patrick Hartman: Patrick’s experience as a CEDIA volunteer Recap of the Virtual CEDIA 2020 educational offering What industry events might look like in 2021 Patrick’s focus on work/life balance and his participation in Spartan Races. To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Jeff Goldstein: How Jeff’s passion for audio landed him at Sony What managing the radio business for Sony looked like in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s Jeff’s approach to building relationships with the CI channel Jeff’s experience since returning to Sony in the midst of a pandemic To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Tina Baker: The importance of company culture Best practices around hiring the right people How the hiring process has changed at One Firefly since Tina joined the team Tools One Firefly has implemented to improve their company culture as a fully remote team. To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and mor...

Welcome to the Automation Unplugged After Show! When scheduling permits, we will take some time after we record the official episode to dig a little deeper with our guest, learn more about them, their hobbies, or frankly, anything that I think you might want to learn more about. We just wrapped up recording show #141 featuring Harshul Parikh, CEO & Founder at Trescent Lifestyles. Harshul shared ad...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Harsul Parikh: Harshul’s role in bringing a CEDIA chapter to India How the custom integration space has been impacted due to COVID Harshul’s thoughts on the potential boom that will come from the increased interest in smart home automation An exciting AI software Harshul and his team are working on to make projects more seamless f...

Welcome to the Automation Unplugged After Show! When scheduling permits, we will take some time after we record the official episode to dig a little deeper with our guest, learn more about them, their hobbies, or frankly, anything that I think you might want to learn more about. We just wrapped up recording show #140 featuring Jesse Silva, Owner at The PAVE. Jesse shared with us how he was able to...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Jesse Silva: The impacts of COVID-19 on Jesse’s business The PAVE doubling their growth since 2019 Innovative ways Jesse has expanded their reach and customer acquisition through social media Manufacturers that embody “exceptional support” and how it has helped Jesse and his team grow To get transcripts, resources of what was ment...

Welcome to the Automation Unplugged After Show! Every week, we will take some time after we record the official episode to dig a little deeper with our guest, learn more about them, their hobbies, or frankly, anything that I think you might want to learn more about. We just wrapped up recording show #139 featuring Michael Cogbill, Principal at REV2 Consulting. Here on the after show, Michael share...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Michael Cogbill: The early days of custom integration in the 80’s and early 90’s His experience working on a project for Bill Gates’ Seattle home CEDIA initiatives Michael is most excited about Michael’s predictions for the future of our industry To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onef...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Murray Kunis: * Murray’s thoughts on the first 2020 Presidential Debate * Murray’s experience with installing America’s first home THX system * His recommendations for business just getting started in the custom integration industry. * Murray’s thoughts on the current state of our industry and what 2021 might have in store To get...

Welcome to the Automation Unplugged After Show! Today, we're taking some time after the live show to talk with Matt Fowler, Co-Owner and Director of Operations of HomeTroniX. Before joining HomeTroniX, Matt spent some of his career in the wine industry. In this aftershow chat, Matt shares with us his experience working with Total Wine and even gives us some of his favorite wine recommendations. If...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Matt Fowler: How Matt’s time in the Marine Corps impacted his role as a leader How to grow and scale an integration firm HomeTroniX’s growth during COVID Matt’s approach to marketing and creating a strong digital presence To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au137 SHOW NOT...

Welcome to the Automation Unplugged After Show! Today, we're taking some time after the live show to talk with Josh Willits, President at Portal.  While many of you may know Josh for his career in the custom integration channel, he also has a passion for coffee that has led him to join the coffee roasting business.   In this after show chat, Josh shares with us his passion for coffee and how he ca...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Josh Willits: Josh experiences in the CI industry that ultimately led to his role as President of Portal. Portal’s turnaround strategy deployed in May 2019 that saved the company Proposal trends during that last 6 months including the amazing growth since June Josh’s thoughts on the rest of 2020 and the future of our industry To g...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Jeff Brewer: Leadership strategies Jeff learned while working for the late Steven Covey where he was Master Certified The James Loudspeaker acquisition and their approach to their rep network Ways Jeff and his team are leveraging virtual trainings and meetings to strengthen relationships Exclusive announcement regarding the new So...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Taylor Whipple: His rewarding time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa - he even spoke to us in Wolof! Taylor’s start in the music industry where he spent some time working for Madonna’s music label before he decided to go back to school to pursue his MBA in Finance. How an analytical approach to brainstorming ideas has help...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Jeremy Elsesser: Jeremy’s 16 year career track at Level 3 Audiovisual, leading to his achieving the position of President of the company in 2017 The importance of company culture and hiring for passion The transition from Commercial Integrator over to Managed Services The acceleration of software and cloud based communication plat...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Paul Lopez: What experiences led Paul to opening his own integration firm. What it’s like being a Dolphins fan living in Dallas Paul’s transition from a majority commercial focus pre-covid to a majority residential focus post covid. Why Integrated Lifestyles chose to join the ProSource buying group To get transcripts, resources of...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Ryan Anderson: Ryan’s past experience as a racecar driver with Ferrari The Bravas acquisition strategy to purchase 50 integration firms over the next 5 years. Defining the “Why” for both Bravas and the CI Industry.   Ryan’s thoughts about this new-era of event cancellations and more focused department training events To get transc...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Shaun Schuetz: Shaun’s background and how he got into the consumer electronics industry Cultural differences Shaun encountered during his four years in Asia Shaun’s love for Star Wars and how he was able to do charity work with the Star Wars Costuming Community, 501st Legion while in Taiwan and now throughout the US. Shaun’s thoug...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Ken Vanemon: Status of the audio video marketplace in New York City. Ken’s strategies to stay sane while taking care of clients during these strange times Ken’s thoughts on whether sales people are born or made How Crestron Home is helping dealers create a more customizable smart home system To get transcripts, resources of what w...