Automation Unplugged Podcast

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Matt Grant; Matt’s experience remotely managing his business from an RV over a period of two years The role of company culture and assuming positive intent Lessons learned from Apple employees and processes To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au239 SHOW NOTES Matt is the...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Alesia Hendley; Alesia’s upbringing and how she started her trajectory working sound boards at her father’s church Her move to personal branding and her journey as an industry influencer Why Pro AV industry is not well known and what the industry could be doing to recruit new talent To get transcripts, resources of what was mentio...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Will Gilbert and Greg Michelier; Will and Greg’s background and what led them to founding Think Simple and Bodhi. Bodhi Software as an IOT Solution How they go to market with Bodhi To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au237 SHOW NOTES Greg and Will along with their 3rd par...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Koa Wagner; Koa’s career trajectory and how he originally founded Blueprint The Great Recession and how diversification helped Koa keep his business open during those challenging years Recent changes to the business, including: his wife joining the business, bringing on an EOS consultant and making a pivot into lighting To get tra...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Darrin Medley; Growing up as the child of Bill Medley,  the famous singer known for many famous songs including Unchained Melody. The Hi Solutions Differentiator - The HIWAY - An autonomous Home Process Culture How HI Solutions is scaling culture through public acquisitions. To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in t...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Morné Smit and Oliver Tuffney ; The importance of creating a winning sales culture and building sales processes that get results Why B2B companies need a playbook to scale The types of companies that are likely a good fit for Emerse Consulting To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefire...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Nick DeClemente; Managing the holiday season crunch. one-app control solution vs a multi-app approach Bringing on consultants How to close big deals Company Culture To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au233 SHOW NOTES Nick is a 20-year Industry Veteran. He started in CI i...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Bryan Mills; Bryan’s journey from mechanical engineering to running the 3rd generation family business. A fun story about Bryan redesigning the Tapcon Screw. Bryan’s diversification in the business during the Great Recession in 2009 Mills Technologies and how EOS has been implemented to the company’s culture. To get transcripts, r...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Tom Doherty, Michael Libman and David Warfel; The history behind Lightapalooza Event logistics including vendors, attendees and trainings offered The growing importance of lighting in the custom integration industry To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au231 SHOW NOTES Lig...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Sarah Dresher; Sarah’s journey leading up to her becoming an entrepreneur Ageism vs Sexism in the AV industry Sarah’s perspective on the role of reps vs a direct sales force in the CEDIA space To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au230 SHOW NOTES Sarah Dresher founded Luxu...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Dan Ferrisi; Dan´s background in AV journalism and his trajectory that led him to being Editor-In-Chief at Commercial Integrator The differences between residential and commercial integrators Dan’s input on strategies and actions for integration businesses to be able to face supply chain challenges To get transcripts, resources of...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Susan Grossweiler; Current state of school shootings in the USA The importance and role of technology in schools to improve safety HAVRION´s ¨Protect and Perform” technology strategy for school systems To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au228 SHOW NOTES As Vice President...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Tina Peters; NSCA’s Pivot to profit 2022 event that took place in Chicago SVT’s history and current service offering The importance of a strong company culture to attract talent Tina’s passion as an NSCA Ignite ambassador to help educate rising talent in our industry Growing leaders within the SVT organization To get transcripts,...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Chad Russell; Chad’s background and history working the AV industry for 25 years The CEDIA 2022 Expo in Dallas and everything SurgeX was taking to the show, including SQUID, their new power solutions product. His perspective on the labor shortage we are experiencing and different actions that can help pull talent into the industry...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Angel and Alexa Centeno; SDI’s new showroom experience in Needham, MA and what prompted the move to the new showroom. Their new roadside billboard and prompted this new strategy How their business has grown since their appearance on the show, including their new location in Boca Raton, Florida To get transcripts, resources of what...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Carson Morby; As a newcomer to the CI Channel: Carson’s point of view The importance of corporate marketing programs and how they can have a positive impact on a business Why brand awareness is so important to an integration business The role of video in marketing To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, an...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Jeff Goldstein and Mark Hoffenberg; Retail sales are the canary in the coal mine The role marketing plays in positioning a company in growth markets and downturns How to think about your brand when also driving a manufacturers marketing program Builders, Architects and Designers as the source for local project forecasting To get t...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Josh Christian; Why HTA certification matters How HTA has advanced since Josh’s last appearance in this show 3 years ago. The importance of building and leveraging relationships with the different trades involved in the luxury residential construction market To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Mark Bolduc; Lessons learned during the Great Recession that have helped their business thrive. Mark’s entrepreneurial journey How and why he has focused on growing his Lutron and Ketra business To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au221 SHOW NOTES Mark is an accomplished...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Hovik Mirzakhanian; Hovik’s background story and how he has seen the AV industry evolve throughout his career How he has been managing the current supply-chain issues The importance of diversification as a strategy to help manage risk To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/a...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Andrew Pino; Andrew’s background as a marketer, consultant, entrepreneur The importance of genuine humility to be a successful leader The “why” behind defining your businesses mission, vision, values and leadership guidelines contribute to your success To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Jeff Singer; Jeff’s journey from broadcasting to teaching and eventually landing as a marketing strategist in the AV industry The importance of employee success and growth for a company How knowing your customers can help develop your market and grow your business To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, an...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Tom LeBlanc; The Business Leadership Conference and the upcoming Pivot to Profit  conference in the fall. Tom’s journey from working in journalism to landing in the AV industry NSCA’s strategy to help its members during the COVID pandemic and the current supply chain issue that is being faced by the industry To get transcripts, re...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Ian Bryant; Ian’s experiences working remotely from different locations around the country. His background and expertise in the industry New technology trends and emerging business model opportunities To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au216 SHOW NOTES Ian started in the...

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Håkan Olsson; How Håkan uses his home as a showroom for his business His method of using his home to demo Ketra tunable lighting and invisible speakers Selling single app solutions vs App Mania (ie. using many apps) To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au215 SHOW NOTES Håk...