For several days now, multiple sources have reached out to Strata-gee to report that Doug Cole, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Universal Remote Control – better known as URC – has left the company. I have confirmed his exit, a decision that marks the end of a long career leading the organization’s sales and marketing efforts.
Finding Purpose in Life During Wartime
A Guest Post
My parents were newlyweds at the outbreak of World War II. As the war progressed, Dad became an officer in the Navy, and Mom worked as a newspaper ad copywriter (until “the boys” came home – but that’s a story for another time).
I grew up with their stories of the constant tension of that time, the uncertainty, the loneliness and despair, the shortages, the rationing, the periodic outbursts of anger and insanity— alongside acts of selflessness, kindness, and a strong sense of community.
Sound familiar?
Stuck at home feeling gloomy? Our Guest Post suggests you take a fresh look at your role…
[Read more…] about Finding Purpose in Life During WartimeFear Factor: Consumers’ Fear Suggests a Slow Recovery from Recession
COVID-19 Recession: Will Rebound be a V…U…or W?
The Coronavirus pandemic has hit America big time. With a head-spinning swiftness, the epidemic swept across the country with ruthless efficiency – first impacting densely populated urban areas (NYC, LA, Chicago), then spreading its tentacles throughout more sparsely populated regions of the country. It has extracted a devastating human toll, striking fear in the hearts of consumers, and brought a once bustling economy to a screeching halt…plunging it into recession.
We have never seen anything quite like this and for business owners and managers…we are truly in uncharted territory. With almost 85% of all Americans now subject to some form of Shelter-In-Place or Stay-At-Home order, everything except essential services, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, has been closed down – and most companies have seen their sales disappear. Will a fearful consumer complicate our recovery from this recession?
See more on what kind of rebound to expect…
[Read more…] about Fear Factor: Consumers’ Fear Suggests a Slow Recovery from RecessionAVNation Launches ‘Commercial Learn From Home’ Virtual 3-Day Online Event
Previous Residential Event a Big Success
AVNation, a largely podcasting group of integrators in both the residential and commercial AV space, this week held a somewhat abruptly announced, but ultimately successful online learning event they call their LFH – or Learn From Home – virtual residential event. Essentially an online conference with multiple presentations from a variety of industry experts, the event gave COVID-19 isolated colleagues an opportunity to while away the hours of their isolation…and perhaps learn something in the process.
Now, the group announces it will offer a new LFH event targeted at the commercial channel next week.
See more on AVNation’s LFH events…
[Read more…] about AVNation Launches ‘Commercial Learn From Home’ Virtual 3-Day Online EventMelrose Suspends Dividends, Cuts Executive Pay
Parent of Many Top CI Brands Steps in to Adjust for Impact of COVID-19
Melrose Industries PLC has announced it will suspend the payment of its usual year-end dividend in the face of the deteriorating economic environment as a result of the global spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Melrose, the U.K. turnaround specialist that is parent company of the U.S. based Nortek has taken other actions to adjust operations at its operating companies in the face of COVID-19.
Learn more about Melrose’s actions to adjust to COVID-19…
[Read more…] about Melrose Suspends Dividends, Cuts Executive PayVizio Expands SmartCast TV Free Content Offerings with 30 New Streaming Channels
Vizio, Inc. announced this week that it has launched 30 new free streaming TV channels on its SmartCast Home screen. The new content spans the gamut from news and entertainment – to lifestyle and DIY.
See more on this new Vizio content…
[Read more…] about Vizio Expands SmartCast TV Free Content Offerings with 30 New Streaming ChannelsStuck in COVID-19 Isolation? Country Music Star Says ‘Thank Goodness for Technology’
An astonishing 283 million Americans are stuck in some form of self-isolation or self-quarantine due to the fact that most states and cities have imposed a “Stay-at-Home” rule in the fight to snuff out the COVID-19 pandemic. This new reality in which we find ourselves means that almost all businesses (except for a few essential services) are closed – and millions of Americans are stuck at home with little or nothing to do. But what role does their technology play in this situation?
Thanks to Technology, we can all be connected…
[Read more…] about Stuck in COVID-19 Isolation? Country Music Star Says ‘Thank Goodness for Technology’Economic Data Deteriorates Rapidly in March
Unemployment Claims Jump to 6.6M; Mortgage Applications Plunged 24%
We are now beginning to see a rapid deterioration in economic data in the wake of the impact of the Coronavirus COVID-19 epidemic sweeping the country. Stunning new numbers are dropping at a rate never seen before and suggest we may yet have a long road to recovery. Unemployment claims skyrocketed to 6.6 million new jobless claims at the end of the month, and mortgage applications plunged 24% in March year-over-year.
See more on rapidly descending data…
[Read more…] about Economic Data Deteriorates Rapidly in MarchSavant Launches New Support Structure & Options for Today’s ‘New Normal’
You don’t need me to tell you…the entire world has changed dramatically in just a few short weeks. Deadly viral outbreaks forcing government mandated ‘Stay-at-Home’ orders is something we haven’t seen in our lifetimes. Well the good news is, Savant remains committed to supporting their dealers and has aggressively taken action to more effectively configure their company’s support systems to meet the challenges of today’s environment.
See Savant’s changes to improve support in changed environment…
[Read more…] about Savant Launches New Support Structure & Options for Today’s ‘New Normal’As Overall Economy Hit by COVID-19, Layoffs Hit Tech as Well
AudioQuest Announces Downsizing
A relatively large number of readers and industry sources have reached out to Strata-gee with word of cutbacks and layoffs at various industry brands – as the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) takes its toll on the U.S. economy. As was reported in a post just a few days ago, jobless claims jumped dramatically – by 33% in just one month – only to be exceeded a few days later by a massive jump in claims of 3 million more unemployed workers.