Sharp Corp. announced today that it will release a new updated model of its Cocorobo home cleaning robot with a very important added feature: smarts. Sharp has added the ability for this new model to adjust the amount of suction on an as-needed basis – dramatically improving battery performance for longer operation on a single charge.
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Gibson Guitar Announces Name Change
Gibson Guitar announced on Tuesday that – in a bid to better reflect its growing family of products outside of the guitar category – it will be changing its corporate name from Gibson Guitar Corp. to Gibson Brands. While the move looks logical, there will likely be many who will bemoan the fact that the new name loses its ability to honor the company’s stringed-instrument heritage and still-important namesake product.
See more on why the company says this is the right move… [Read more…] about Gibson Guitar Announces Name Change
ProSource Holds E-Commerce Training for Members in Chicago
Perhaps another sign of the times, ProSource – the retail buying group that represents the combination of both Home Entertainment Source (HES) and PRO Group – held a meeting earlier this month centered on the topic of e-commerce. These meetings, held June 3-4 in Chicago, were to share trends and best practices in e-commerce for their members.
See more on this news from ProSource… [Read more…] about ProSource Holds E-Commerce Training for Members in Chicago
Thought for the Week of June 10, 2013
I always remember an epitaph which is in the cemetery at Tombstone, Arizona. It says: ‘Here lies Jack Williams. He done his damnedest.’ I think that is the greatest epitaph a man can have – When he gives everything that is in him to do the job he has before him. That is all you can ask of him and that is what I have tried to do.
Harry S Truman
Core Brands Completes Downsizing of National Sales Force
BREAKING NEWS
Strata-gee.com heard this week from multiple sources that Core Brands had completed the analysis phase of its sales force consolidation, and was now executing the termination of the losing reps – and the reassigning of brands to the winning reps. Core Brands, a division of Nortek, Inc., had announced the downsizing process in a conference call with their entire sale representative network on April 19th – laying out a process for which the desired result was to create a smaller network of fewer authorized sales representative companies presenting most, if not all, of the company’s ten brands.
But there is some question as to how successful the process was, given continuing multi-rep territories… [Read more…] about Core Brands Completes Downsizing of National Sales Force
Let’s Collaborate! 3M Launches 60-Point Multi-Touch Display
3M Touch Systems, Inc. announced today a new 46-inch 3M Multi-Touch Display C4667PW – a high-performance multi-touch display with the ability to track up to 60 simultaneous touch points. Designed with multi-user environments in mind, 3M says the C4667PW is optimal for collaborative environments where two or more people need to work both independently and as a group.
See more on this remarkable product which just might have huge market potential… [Read more…] about Let’s Collaborate! 3M Launches 60-Point Multi-Touch Display
Unusual Japan Story: 4 Panasonic Directors Given ¥1.9 Billion to Leave
In a move common in the U.S., but unusual in Japan, the Japan Times reported today that Panasonic Corp. paid ¥1.855 ($18.7 million) to four directors to leave the company in Fiscal 2012. The company broke the news of what is known in the U.S. as a golden parachute in materials circulated along with invitations sent to the shareholders meeting coming up later in the month.
See more on this generous payout from a struggling company… [Read more…] about Unusual Japan Story: 4 Panasonic Directors Given ¥1.9 Billion to Leave
AudioSource Thinks Your Sound Needs a Little pOp
AudioSource, Inc., a maker of an eclectic mix of unique solutions-oriented products, announced today a new item that is a combination Bluetooth speaker/hands-free speakerphone it calls Sound pOp. Spelled with a curious capital “O”, the sound pOp ties in with the growing popularity of devices that facilitate users streaming their favorite music from their smartphone.
With a cute/odd design that includes a big suction-cup, the big surprise is the price… [Read more…] about AudioSource Thinks Your Sound Needs a Little pOp
Do You Make This Common Mistake When Promoting Your Integration Company?
A few years ago I participated as a judge in a marketing contest designed to shower awards and recognition on those employing the best examples of marketing by custom installation/systems integration companies. It was a fascinating process and we saw some remarkable examples of high-quality marketing. But we also saw some common marketing mistakes…over and over.
One mistake, in particular, occurs with a high degree of regularity in our industry. Do you make this mistake?… [Read more…] about Do You Make This Common Mistake When Promoting Your Integration Company?
Thought for the Week – June 3, 2013
Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix.
Christina Baldwin
