Lighting with Lisa: The Lighting Podcast

There's been much hand-wringing about the future of brick and mortar businesses, but I say in some ways, the future has never been brighter for us.  Focus on your own strengths and create that "magical" in-store experience that you just can't find anywhere else and the customer loyalty will follow. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that humans still love to interact...

How familiar are you with the DoE legislation changes regarding General Service Lamps? If you're not, now is the time to learn and act before the restrictions (and penalties) take effect in July 2023! This episode recaps the pending changes and what it means for you and your showroom and steps you can take now to stay ahead of the rule changes too. Also, be sure to join the Facebook group and...

In this episode, I argue that the biggest ongoing challenge to independent lighting showrooms is the question of margins. How do we improve them collectively as an industry? Showrooms have all been told to pivot and evolve, and many have, but we are still left with the frustration of lower margins of sale and rising expenses and overhead. There's one quick answer here, which would help, but t...

The "everything" shortage continues in nearly every consumer goods industry and I want to know how your business is coping? What changes have you made that you expect to continue even when goods are readily available again? I also discuss a potential softening in our markets and my opinions on what that might mean for lighting showrooms. Finally, I close with my industry-wide request to...

This episode features my new favorite IG account (@blackwhalelights), why manufacturers should at the very least fill out the ALA data file in full, and my experience and frustration with factory changes that can have a big impact at the customer level in the showroom. Please share with me your favorite independent lighting showroom social media account so I can shout them out on the next episode!...

We are all looking for it in the lighting industry -- the training "easy" button. After a recent Lighting Showroom Association Round Table discussion, I have reached the disappointing conclusion that this easy button doesn't exist for us, but I came away encouraged with a new path for employee hiring, training and retention that will hopefully lead to success not only for me and the...

What new skills or processes or procedures are you learning or working on for your business? What has the new skill taught you about your business? How is it working (or maybe, not working)? In this episode, I recount my recent experience in learning the skill of selling online via Facebook/Instagram and Shopify and thing things I have learned along the way and still have yet to learn! Join the co...

This week I'm discussing the "Paradox of Choice" as defined by author Barry Schwartz and the impact too much choice can have on everything from our products displays to sales in our showroom. At what point is there just too much choice for our customers? And how to we convince customers to satisfice in their selections rather than stay on the constant (and never-ending) search for p...

When do you pull the plug on a sunk cost and just move on? How long to do stick it out for a customer? an employee? a vendor? a sales rep? a manufacturer? We all encounter this question regularly and in this episode I give my take on how much I would invest in each of these partnerships and when it is just time to move on. Join the conversation! Your thoughts and feedback are always welcome! @ligh...

We know everyone has been feeling the shipping and gas prices squeeze of late, but what can we do about it? Fuel surcharges? Delivery fees? Are there really any viable options for distribution or do we just keep taking the margin squeeze? What solutions have you tried for this problem and what is/isn't working? Can't wait to hear your suggestions and feedback.  Join the conversation!  Fi...

Has your idea of the ideal candidate for a sales job changed or evolved over the course of your job? What do you look for now that you didn't at first? Is there a key to finding the perfect team member? This week I'm discussing how a key metric of mine has shifted and I conclude with some encouragement for all of us to break out of the "same old" and try something new in our pr...

This week I revisit the topic of the importance of Lighting Showrooms, but this time with a focus on the showroom-side of the equation. Why are showrooms (particularly lighting ones) still valuable for consumers? What value do they add that consumers can't get elsewhere? What is the key to a great showroom experience? I end with what I see to the biggest challenge to continued showroom shoppi...

It's no secret, independent lighting showrooms are my passion, and for years the Lighting Showroom Association has been circling this marketing concept of "Why Lighting (and Fans and Lamps and Electrical Devices)" to push consumers into our market. In this episode, I review my take on why I think this concept is important and needed in our industry and also why the time is now to fi...

So it has happened to all of us... a toxic customer relationship or one that has stopped working for your business and now seems to cause more harm than good. But what are the signs and what does one do? In this episode, I discuss different reasons that the customer might not be right and invite your feedback on what you did to change this situation and move forward in business.  This is definitel...

What can you let go of that isn't serving your business? It's a big question with a lot of possible answers, but in this episode, I cover my top four list of things I can let go of in my business and I can't wait to hear your list too! Please email or message me and don't forget to share the podcast too! Join the conversation! All are welcome! Fixture Finder Lighting Jobs Email...

We all think about it as small business owners -- what happens when I'm ready to retire? How do I sell? When? To whom? In this episode, we hear one person's journey in selling a business and lessons learned along the way (including an important nugget about taxes!). Please be sure to subscribe and share! Have a great topic for the Light Files? Message me! Fixture Finder Lighting Jobs Ema...

This week we are talking about leadership in all of its forms. In what ways does your business lead our industry? What can be learned from your leadership? What can we do better to mutually support one another as we look to continually grow the lighting and fan industry? I believe there is so much opportunity that we are just falling short on, but with some even marginal changes, we can make a big...

I've been focusing a lot on how my showroom and lighting showrooms in general might define and find success in 2022.  Here are my key focuses for the year.  What are yours? Am I missing something important? Join the conversation! Thank you as always for your support. Fixture Finder Lighting Jobs Email Lisa

The ongoing challenge to independent lighting showrooms -- the expectation of the best, top-notch service and also to provide rock bottom pricing. I believe we are on a slippery slope of unintended consequences in the lighting industry and we need to take a look a the real threats to all of our businesses and find a way to move forward together and adjust our own expectations but those of our cons...

The question has arisen lately -- just who do you think you are to be an "industry advocate?" Well, this podcast gives my answer. I love what I do, I love our industry, and I love the positive impact we can all have on humans in this world. Thank you all for your support and for listening! We are all stronger together! Fixture Finder Lighting Jobs Email Lisa

In this episode, I list of 15 key pieces of data required for all light fixtures and an additional 10 needed for ceiling fans in order to effectively sell both items in a lighting showroom. Manufacturers, take note! Showrooms, let me know what I missed! My greatest hope is that timely, complete data leads to better, more efficient and successful sales across the board! Thank you all! Fixture Finde...

Just a few thoughts on some personal inspiration recently received and my January Lightovation recap.  It was so great seeing you and I can't wait to do it again soon! Thanks as always for your support and guidance! Fixture Finder Lighting Jobs Email Lisa

Recorded in the Hinkley showroom during Lightovation last week, this episode features LSA Board Member and small business marketing guru, Zelle Duda, from Lighting & Bulbs Unlimited in Charlotte NC. Zelle is full of great ideas for independent lighting showrooms and is definitely on my list of people to watch in our industry! She drops a few great tips for showrooms too!  Link for 50% savings...

I don't love New Year's resolutions, but I do love to take the opportunity for a new year's re-focus. I review what I'm focusing on in 2022 and what I think our industry should be working on together to grow in partnership this year. What are your opportunities for 2022 as a business? How are you going to grow and become more successful in the new year? Please drop me a line @l...

I'm happy to hear that January Lightovation is still a go despite all the latest virus news, so as Market prep hits high gear, I invite everyone to use a fresh perspective on your showroom-manufacturer relationships and really focus on how we can grow and strengthen our business together. It doesn't have to look the same as it always did -- the pandemic has shown us how we can grow and e...