Franklin Karp, a seasoned industry executive who has fought and won many market battles during his career has launched a full-service consulting company called, logically enough, Franklin Karp & Co. That’s right, you can gain access to his smart missiles and other superior intellectual weaponry to help you win your market battles too.
Learn more about Franklin Karp & Co.
Karp says that his firm will offer a weighty array of key capabilities useful for multiple levels and types of technology-centric businesses. In a formal announcement, he listed some of those key services, including, “all phases of operations management, budgeting/forecasting, vendor relations, product development, sales leadership, full cycle marketing development and more.”
I personally have known – and done business with – Franklin for a good chunk of his 3+ decade career. An award-winning executive, he basically grew up in this business – cutting his teeth in the rough and tumble streets of New York metro AV retailing and, ultimately, custom integration.
For a young Eastern Regional Sales Manager at Onkyo many years ago [note to reader: I’m referring to myself here], Franklin offered a refreshing ethical port in the storm of NYC retailing, which often felt like a large den of vipers during those times. But it is kind of true what they say -to paraphrase a famous Frank Sinatra song about New York – if you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere.
With a holistic view of the industry, we are thrilled to offer a full array of consulting services that are unique in both depth and breadth to integration firms, manufacturers, buying groups and beyond. Over the years, I have worked through thousands of business scenarios and cultivated a tried-and-true suite of the absolute best practices for our partners. Our team’s experience and knowledgebase extends from big-picture items such as financial analysis, reviewing margins and P&L and vendor product assortment, to the more tactical topics including end-customer proposals, company handbooks, team compensation programs, inventory management and more.
Franklin Karp, Founder of Franklin Karp & Co.
Most recently, Karp was the Chief Operating Officer with Audio Video Systems (AVS), one of the more respected integration operations in the NY metro area. As COO, Karp directed all business operations, overseeing their staff of 80+ employees and leading the organization, he says, to a 40% growth in revenues…in a very competitive market. He also led the charge to dramatically improve operational efficiency, lower costs, and improve system reliability with a new Advanced Verification Process that leveraged the highly respected Millson Systems’ solutions.
Prior to his time at AVS, and where many people know him from, Karp spent a dozen years with Harvey Electronics, a multistore AV retailer well known in the New York metro market. First joining as Vice President of Merchandising in the late 90s, Karp went on to become Chief Executive Officer. As CEO he led the company out of Chapter 11, launched them into the custom installation business, and eventually took the company public on the NASDAQ.
Need some insight into a vexing business problem? Reach out to Franklin Karp at franklin@franklinkarp.com or call him at (516) 721-3330.
See more at www.franklinkarp.com.
I’ve known Franklin since his days running Harvey Electronics. He’s always been a stand-up guy, very insightful and fair-minded. He understands all aspects of the audio/video/integration industry from the small details to the big picture. I wish him great success in his new venture. Any firm that hires him will benefit greatly.