Lighting with Lisa: The Lighting Podcast

With just two weeks until Lightovation, it is time to get Market ready!  Know your numbers, know your showroom's needs and most importantly -- know your worth! Also, if you want to be featured on an upcoming episode of Light Files, drop me a line and we can meet up in Dallas.  Fixture Finder Lighting Jobs Email Lisa

The littlest things sometimes can make the biggest difference in the successful operation of a lighting showroom. I'm back talking restock fees and how they play into bigger issues in our industry that worry me. It's time to make some changes! Let's take these issues and strengthen our industry together! Thank you for listening and for your support of the podcast! Fixture Finder Lig...

After my extended vacation, I am a complete believer in doing what it is you need to recharge yourself to be a better employer, partner, spouse, friend, or wherever it is that you are feeling a little "burn out" and need to step away (or perhaps, lean in) to gain a fresh perspective. Anxious about what will happen? I sure was! But it turned out better than I could have expected and my bu...

This week, you get my take as a lighting showroom owner on what makes a great lighting sales agent.  Everyone has different needs in the showroom so the #1 key seems to be -- meet your customers where they are.  Let me know what you think... especially to the scenario I pose at the end of the episode! Fixture Finder Lighting Jobs Email Lisa

The first, long-awaited Light Files interview is here! But it was an easy one to get... I just went downstairs! My husband, Frank Bartlett, joins the podcast this week for a quick recap of his time in the lighting business and the pros and cons of booking business with electricians. Plus, he answers the age old showroom question about electricians.... Listen in and let me know what you think about...

If you're a consumer in the world, returns and refunds are just a part of the shopping experience. Given that fact, how do we partner better in the lighting industry to minimize returns and minimize the risk in sales that come back as returns? What tools do we need on hand to sell goods and minimize the likelihood of a dissatisfied customer?  Your feedback on this topic is critical! Send it m...

Today's discussion is on POS systems in the showroom and the benefits a great POS system can bring to your productivity and efficiency (aka margins). I primarily discuss my own POS, Windward System 5, and the integration with Lights America. What POS system do you use and what are the pros and cons? It's more important than one might think to your success! Fixture Finder Lighting Jobs Em...

In the event of a catastrophe does your small business have an exit plan? What about standard long term succession planning? It seems that it is never to start thinking about the end of your professional career, even for independent small business owners (or maybe even more so). Thank you for your support and don't forget to chime in with your own exit planning stories! Fixture Finder Lightin...

Is your independent lighting showroom open on Saturdays? Why or why not? If you are open on Saturdays, what are your keys to success? And if you are not open, do you see a negative impact on your business? I tell you all about my Saturday showroom situation -- now tell me yours! You can find me @lightfiles or @lisalightslife. Also, thank you so much to the Patreon podcast supporters -- we are grow...

I don't know about y'all, but I'm starting to get really pumped about January 2022 Lightovation! I feel like it might be epic. And I could use that jolt of energy after a somewhat mind-numbing week of issues and admin work in the showroom. Anyone else just have days or weeks that are just draining like that? Tell me about it! The community here is what helps make us all better and m...

What is the future of the lighting showroom? I give my thoughts and suggestions on steps we can take and partnerships to be made. Also, we lost a beloved industry friend this week far too soon, and I just wanted to send love to everyone in the industry as we cope with this loss and others. Thank you for listening and your support! Fixture Finder Lighting Jobs Email Lisa

I had some really great conversations with industry partners this week which yet again got my wheels turning about the importance of communicating, having an open mind, and not making assumptions or snap judgements.  I also reveal all of the industry data recommendations we unveiled last week -- please share those far and wide and I can't wait to see widespread adoption of all of these import...

We all struggle with work-life balance sometimes. Do you have to sacrifice your personal life for success? I recap my latest struggles keeping all of the various jobs in my life afloat. Plus, the LSA has released a great, informative, and important document on industry data standards.  I recap some of the suggestions and I look forward to industry-wide adoption of these standards! Thanks, as alway...

#50ListenerChallenge continues and thank you to the current podcast supporters! I recorded this episode on Sept 11, so I begin with some quiet reflection on the day and then on to profit margins! A great article in Furniture, Lighting & Decor in September got my wheels turning and I can't wait to hear what you all think about increasing prices, discounting and staff bonuses.  Fixture Find...

It comes up a lot -- what was the deal with that Private Label program? If you have unanswered questions or just want to hear the reasoning behind the attempted trial program, listen in! I cover the program basics, why it was an appealing venture, and the ultimate outcome. Thank you so much for listening and don't forget the #50listenerchallenge is still ongoing! Fixture Finder Lighting Jobs...

Don't forget to join the #50listenerchallege on Patreon! It seems our beloved lighting industry has suffered a long time from a lack of cohesion all around. Lighting Showrooms especially are missing an opportunity to join our voices and work to be better partners all around. Plus -- feeling alone drowning in all your admin work? Well, don't! I'm right there with you. Thank you so mu...

Lighting Industry, you've been challenged. 50 supporters of this podcast. C'mon, you can do it. Link is below and it takes mere moments to support not just this podcast, but our entire industry. Also, more input on manufacturers selling direct to consumer and how I really think we should be strategically partnering together as showrooms and manufacturers. Don't delay, support today!...

This week, I'm full of questions and would love your feedback! From social media to the economy to re-pricing the showroom (yet again), there's a lot that seems to be hanging over us right now. I don't have all the answers, but I do have some questions -- join me in the conversation!  Fixture Finder Lighting Jobs Email Lisa

I'm just going to ask - do we need lighting industry therapy? Our professional relationships have real fractures and I think this disconnect is trickling down through all parts of our business lives. What can we do to support one another and actually resolve these challenges in our partnerships? Thank you for listening and for your support!  Fixture Finder Lighting Jobs Email Lisa

I got some great tips on how to vacay from a Light Files patron member, and I wanted to share those suggestions in case anyone else faces this same challenge.  Next up, pricing policies from manufacturers... should policies be different in accordance with different grades of goods? Does a one size fits all pricing policy really work in today's economy? Listen to hear all my thoughts on this o...

You might have noticed I recently took a short vacation but I have a really difficult time being away from work, so I'd love to know -- how are you able to vacay and gain that much needed recharge from time away from the day-to-day grind? Also, I discuss industry fragmentation and possible new solutions to growing business for showrooms. Our big question: How do independent lighting showrooms...

What do you think about SPIFFs (or is it SPIF?) as a showroom owner or manager? I have a lot of feedback direct from the independent lighting showroom about this topic, courtesy of the Lighting Showroom Association. I go over the good and bad and the perhaps needed changes to this classic business practice.  What do you think? I can't wait to hear! Thank you for listening and for your support...

I saw something on social media this week that really blew me away - did you see it too? I'm not yet sure what this means for the lighting industry and lighting showrooms, but I think it is something and we must consider all long term impacts of these decisions and act accordingly. Also, it is past time that we accord value to the services we provide; we know our worth as lighting experts for...

I'm going there again - direct to designer sales. Showrooms don't like or want it, but in many cases it seems here to stay so how do we navigate this landscape and remain a successful industry? The challenges are real, they aren't easy, and there's no easy solution here, but let's get talking about it! I also discuss a real value-add opportunity that sales agents can provi...

Welcome back to the office after a week at Market! I review my two least favorite Market questions, give thanks, and discuss a few ongoing issues and news I learned at Lightovation next week. It was great to see everyone and I can't wait to do it again in January! Thank you so much for your support and for sharing the podcast! Fixture Finder Lighting Jobs Email Lisa