We made it to the end of 2020! What a wild year it it has been. See my message for you during this unique holiday period following an incredibly challenging year for all of us.
Happy Holidays!
General Topics
Happy Thanksgiving? YES, Let’s All Happily Give THANKS
In 2020, maybe now more so than ever before in our lives…it is an especially good time to pause and contemplate giving thanks at Thanksgiving. But…are you finding it hard to feel thankful about 2020?
See my thoughts on this more special than usual Thanksgiving holiday…
[Read more…] about Happy Thanksgiving? YES, Let’s All Happily Give THANKSA Savant 1-2 Punch: New Pro Remote X2 & Powerful Consumer Ad Campaign
Today, Savant Systems launched its latest remote control, the Pro Remote X2, which it says offers users “an unprecedented smart home experience from a hand-held remote.” Along with this, the company is simultaneously launching an aggressive new advertising campaign targeted at consumers and designed to drive business to Savant integrators.
Learn about the new Savant X2 remote & ads
[Read more…] about A Savant 1-2 Punch: New Pro Remote X2 & Powerful Consumer Ad CampaignWishing You the Happiest of Happy New Years in 2020!
‘The New Year is a New Opportunity for Renewal’
A new day, a new year, a new DECADE – think of the possibilities! The last decade began in 2010 on the tail end of a major recession that affected all industries, but especially the housing industry – which was hit harder than most. This meant that, for those of us in the custom integration space, our opportunities were limited at that time, as housing is a significant driver of demand for the types of products custom integrators sell and install. However, the resulting long, slow economic recovery – which is still continuing – set new records and many would argue we enter the 2020s poised for even greater success.
Our wish for you in the New Year…
[Read more…] about Wishing You the Happiest of Happy New Years in 2020!Have the Happiest of Holidays!
Yesterday, I attended a memorial service even though I had no personal relationship with the person who had recently passed. In fact, I had never had the pleasure of even meeting this person. Yet I chose to pay my respects because I’ve known the family for years and am especially friendly with certain specific family members to whom I wanted to demonstrate the depth of my care and support. Out of respect for their privacy during this difficult time, I’ll not name them here – but I’d like to share some lessons I took away from such a poignant event.
Some would say a death at this time of year – during the holidays – is an especially tragic event…and there certainly was a lot of sadness shown there. Sadness is an unavoidable element of an event such as a memorial service. But there was also a lot of stories, laughter and most importantly…love.
See more of my holiday message…
[Read more…] about Have the Happiest of Holidays!Happy Thanksgiving!
Always one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving is one of the few times where it is socially acceptable to completely stuff your face with a big, delicious meal, and veg out on the sofa watching football all day long. What could be better than that??
But read on to see my full and not-too-sappy holiday greeting…
[Read more…] about Happy Thanksgiving!PS Audio Pulls Out of Local Retail – Now Direct Sales Only
PS Audio, a specialty manufacturer of affordable audiophilia, announced today that it is suspending sales of its products through local specialty retail stores and online retailers to focus on direct sales only. While the company has always sold products directly to end-users, it had a complementary channel of approximately 65 local specialty dealers, and a few online retailers supporting the brand as well.
See more on this decision by PS Audio…
[Read more…] about PS Audio Pulls Out of Local Retail – Now Direct Sales OnlyIs Bravas a Colleague or a Competitor? ‘That’s a Good Question’ Says One Buying Group Exec
Buying Group Executives Comment on New Unified Bravas Group
When Strata-gee broke the news last week on Bravas Group being sold to a private equity firm, a buzz erupted around the industry as different constituencies tried to digest the meaning of this development. While other groups of integrators have made similar efforts in the past, this type of roll-up has usually failed. If this attempt by Bravas works, just what would that mean for the CI industry in general. And is this an emerging competitor to buying groups?
I surveyed top buying group executives to get their take on just what this move by Bravas meant for the industry…and for them.
See how some buying group executives reacted to the Bravas news…
[Read more…] about Is Bravas a Colleague or a Competitor? ‘That’s a Good Question’ Says One Buying Group ExecIndependence Day 2019
Happy Memorial Day
Have a Happy Memorial Day and take time to remember all those who sacrificed so much to preserve and protect the freedoms all Americans enjoy…
