Automation Unplugged Podcast

SHOW NOTES During our time together, we discussed: What a Mission Critical Control Room is and the typical custom data processing and AV setups Examples of control rooms from movies, and the time Dan worked with a 3-letter agency that only communicated via fax The market opportunities that come from working in a niche market, along with the risks and challenges How AI is changing the game for cont...

SHOW NOTES During our time together, we discussed: John’s history of playing in bands as a drummer and percussionist and how that sparked an early interest in AV PCD’s adoption of the EOS business management system to increase productivity and efficiency The value of developing your people as the key to building client relationships and creating customers for life Sales team development strategies...

SHOW NOTES Show #262 will be hosted by Kat Wheeler, Account Executive at One Firefly. She’ll be joined by industry-leading titans Katye Bennett, Founder of KMB Communications, Maryellen Oswald, Business Development Manager - Partnerships at Somfy, Jody Larsen, Director of Business Development and Sales at CEDIA, and Amanda Wildman, Owner of TruMedia. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to hear...

SHOW NOTES Ryan Lee is an experienced landscape lighting designer and business owner with 16 years of experience in the industry. He started and grew a multi-million dollar landscape lighting company (Majestic Outdoor Lighting) in Fort Worth, TX. In 2019, he sold his lighting business and is now focused full-time on coaching other landscape lighting businesses to help them go from business operato...

SHOW NOTES Kendall Clark is One Firefly’s pioneering and creative sales leader. As Director of Sales, Kendall is responsible for overseeing the account executives and all sales activities, providing leadership focus and priority guidance for the department. Kendall previously led the Digital Media department, and oversaw the production of hundreds of industry-focused websites for our clients. Kend...

SHOW NOTES Joaquin's immersion in the industry traces back to his upbringing, with a remarkable fifteen-year journey as an integral part of the team at Stewart Filmscreen, a leading force in video projection screens. Commencing his career in production at Stewart Filmscreen, Joaquin swiftly transitioned to various pivotal roles, including Marketing, Inside Sales, International Sales, Factory Liais...

SHOW NOTES John has worked in the technology industry for over 30 years, including as the CEO of Radiant Systems, Inc., a publicly traded business until its $1.3 billion sale in 2011. Since joining Snap One in 2015, John has led the company through explosive growth via new product introductions, entry into new markets, key strategic acquisitions, and an IPO in July 2021. John has also been a succe...

During our time together, we discussed: What is new for Lightapalooza 2024 Lutron and Ketra's plans for the event Why integrators should not miss this event The growing importance of the lighting category in the CI channel To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au257 SHOW NOTES Today's show features 3 industry luminaries - Tom Doherty, Direc...

During our time together, we discussed: His diverse career at Crestron Electronics, focusing on his various roles and significant contributions to the company and the custom electronics industry. The vital role of training the next generation of Audiovisual Industry professionals focusing on developing their skills and knowledge to meet the industry's evolving demands. The expected impact of AI on...

During our time together, we discussed: Eddie’s takeaways from his experience serving on the CEDIA Board of Directors for the past three years Expanding their business through strategic acquisitions this year and the lessons they’ve learned along the way The importance of defining and refining processes to run a business with multiple locations Vendor selection beliefs and best practices To get tr...

During our time together, we discussed: Eddie’s takeaways from his experience serving on the CEDIA Board of Directors for the past three years His impressions and takeaways from the CEDIA AI Symposium Eddie shares valuable insights from a recent interaction with an architect His predictions for the luxury residential construction industry in 2024 To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned...

During our time together, we discussed: Chris’s journey in the CI industry, starting in DIY smart tech, and moving into a professional AV career The training and assistance he received from PrepTECH The mindset of extreme ownership and the principles he lives by to be the best leader possible for his team His role as a Service Manager and how to successfully run service in a CI business To get tra...

During our time together, we discussed: Clinton’s career journey in the technology industry, starting in audio post-production engineering, moving into sales, and eventually becoming owner and president of Mainline Marketing His mindset of out-servicing the competition Market conditions during the pandemic, and predictions for what the economic landscape will look like in 2024 To get transcripts,...

During our time together, we discussed: Xavier’s history with Lutron, from his days as a field service engineer traveling the world, to the present as a system designer and consultant. Best practices and advice for designing a lighting control system. Creating and growing his YouTube channel. To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au251 SHOW...

During our time together, we discussed: Tom’s rise to prominence in the CI space, starting with founding his own AV business in 1985 His work toward growing industry-wide education and awareness in the lighting category The very first AI Symposium at CEDIA, and the meteoric rise of AI since Nov 2022 To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au2...

During our time together, we discussed: The state of the custom integration industry in the UK Comparing and contrasting the northamerican and the UK markets One Firefly’s participation in the upcoming Ei Live! Show To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au249 SHOW NOTES David has 40 years of experience in the publishing and exhibitors’ indu...

During our time together, we discussed: The challenges of opening a business in the midst of a pandemic Ians take on the current state of hiring in the Av industry Aspires new project R&D Lab and how this has impacted quality and delivery. To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au248 Be sure to check out Ian’s first appearance on Automation...

During our time together, we discussed: John’s experience in broadcast TV and video editing John's Emmy winning journey, covering two Olympic games for NBC Why Netgear AV entered the CI channel The role of AI in copywriting and imagery and other forms of content creation To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au247 SHOW NOTES John started ou...

During our time together, we discussed: Jason's 23-year experience as editor of CE Pro magazine The role of recurring revenue in our industry Some of the actionable insights possible thanks to DTools Business Intelligence capabilities To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au246 SHOW NOTES Jason has been involved in the low-voltage smart hom...

During our time together, we discussed: Shawnon’s experience deploying technology into 100+ Apple Stores across the country earlier in his career Getting featured in the Wall Street Journal for one of their biggest projects back in 2018 The local market trends in Silicon Valley To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au245 SHOW NOTES Shawnon...

During our time together, we discussed: Company culture and the importance of putting the right people in the right positions. The role of  branding and marketing to differentiate your business The outlook for the smart technology industry in the current economic climate. To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au244 SHOW NOTES In 2002, Ryan...

During our time together, we discussed: The wealth of experience Eric has gathered over his 23 years in the industry A business owner's perspective and advice for those looking to start a new company Podcasts and resources he uses for personal growth and development To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au243 SHOW NOTES Cameron is a process...

During our time together, we discussed: Tom’s start in custom integration back in 1967 Tom’s passion for live performance music Lessons learned during 9/11 and the Great Recession and how they could apply to our current economic cycle. To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au242 SHOW NOTES Tom's extensive management background in electronic...

During our time together, we discussed: Why three business units The focus on “making customers for life” Changes in client expectations over the last 20 years in home automation To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au241 SHOW NOTES Carmine is the fourth generation of Colangelo's to work at C&T Electric Corporation. Founded by his grandfat...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Eric Pyle; The wealth of experience Eric has gathered over his 23 years in the industry A business owner's perspective and advice for those looking to start a new company Podcasts and resources he uses for personal growth and development To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.co...