Smart Home Surgery

🎉🎬🎙️ Farewell, Season 2! It's time to say goodbye with a bang! 💥 In the final episode, "Building and Selling a brand," we've got the dynamic duo of Colin Urie from Gallo acoustics and Dave Wilson of Dizztribution taking center stage! 🤩

Picture this: A podcast road trip to Glasgow, filled with laughter, banter, and some good ol' Scottish accents! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Who knew entrepreneurs could be so entertaining? 😂

Colin, the mastermind behind the brand that got gobbled up by the Pulseight Group, and Dave, the AV distribution champ, join forces to spill the beans on what it takes to make a brand soar like a rocket! 🚀🌟

We're talkin' epic products, ingenious strategies, and of course, some juicy insights into their plans for world domination! 🌍🏆

Businesses are like rollercoasters 🎢 – one minute you're screaming in excitement, and the next, you're hanging on for dear life! 😱 But it's all about the journey and the thrill of the ride, baby! 🤘

As for exit plans, well, we're taking inspiration from action movies – explosions and slow-mo exits! 🔥😎 But first, we gotta make sure our businesses are worth selling! 💸

So, tune in, grab some popcorn, and get ready to laugh, learn, and wonder why we didn't pursue careers as Scottish comedians! 🤣✨

Season 3 is already in the works, and let's just say it involves a lot of caffeine, wild adventures, and some special guest appearances! 😉 Stay tuned, folks – it's gonna be LEGEN...wait for it...DARY! 🎉🎉🎉

#GoodbyeSeason2 #EntrepreneurLife #BuildingABrand #PodcastMania #ScottishAdventures #ExitPlansOnFleek

Contact the Smart Home Surgery

• Send us a DM on Instagram @smarthomees
• Email us at [email protected]

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🎧 Join us for an exciting episode of 'Tech Talk Insights' as we sit down with Amanda Wildman, the dynamic owner of TruMedia, an integration company based in Michigan, and a respected Director on the CEDIA board. 🏠💡

🗣️ Amanda's extensive involvement across the industry makes her the perfect guest to discuss everything community-related in this podcast. She is a well-known figure throughout the CEDIA community, admired and respected by all. 🤝

🚀 In our candid conversation, we address the challenges of breaking into the smart home professional community and brainstorm ideas on how we can grow the number of integrators in the field. 💭

Other topics we explore in this episode include:

1️⃣ Nerd Talk - Learning to Communicate with each other without excluding others. 📚🗣️

2️⃣ The Male-Dominated Industry: We openly discuss the prevalent issue of the smart home industry being male-dominated and the importance of promoting diversity and inclusion within the space. 🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️

3️⃣ Fostering Diversity in the Space: We explore strategies and initiatives that can help create a more diverse and inclusive environment in the smart home industry. 🌈✨

4️⃣ The Power of Networking in Building a Business: Amanda shares valuable insights on how networking has played a vital role in building her successful integration company. 🤝🏢

5️⃣ Getting Involved with CEDIA: Discover how you can get involved with CEDIA, one of the most respected organizations in the industry, and make a meaningful impact. 📅🔧

6️⃣ Is CEDIA Behind as a Social Community?: We delve into the current state of CEDIA as a social community and discuss its potential for growth and improvement. 📱💬

7️⃣ Learning to Be Open as a Community: We emphasize the importance of openness, collaboration, and sharing within the smart home industry's community for continuous progress. 🤝💡

Tune in to this thought-provoking episode with Amanda Wildman, where we gain valuable insights from her wealth of experience and discuss critical topics shaping the future of the smart home industry. 🎧🏠 Don't miss it!

Contact the Smart Home Surgery

• Send us a DM on Instagram @smarthomees
• Email us at [email protected]

Thanks for listening & see you on the next episode

Contact the Smart Home Surgery

• Send us a DM on Instagram @smarthomees
• Email us at [email protected]

Thanks for listening & see you on the next episode

 Creating Compelling Content for Personal and Business Branding

• Host: Benjamin Davies
• Guest: David Fell (Media Partner, ex-integrator) and Mr. George Fuet (Former Head of Media Production for Pulse Cinemas, currently on a year away in Australia)

In this episode, we dive into valuable tips for creating engaging content that enhances your personal or business brand. Here's a summary of the key points discussed:

1. Understanding Your Audience:
   • Before creating content, it's crucial to understand your target audience. Identify their needs, interests, and preferences to tailor your content accordingly.
   • Conduct market research, engage with your audience through surveys or social media interactions, and analyze their feedback to gain valuable insights.
2. Consistency and Branding:
   • Maintain consistency in your content to establish a recognizable brand identity.
   • Define your brand voice, visual elements, and messaging guidelines. Use them consistently across all platforms to build brand recognition and trust.
3. Quality Over Quantity:
   • Focus on delivering high-quality content rather than producing a large volume of mediocre content.
   • Invest time and effort into research, planning, and execution to ensure your content is valuable, informative, and engaging for your audience.
4. Storytelling:
   • Incorporate storytelling techniques to create a deeper connection with your audience.
   • Craft narratives that resonate with your brand values, customer experiences, or industry insights. Stories evoke emotions and make your content memorable.
5. Multimedia Approach:
   • Explore different content formats such as videos, podcasts, blog posts, infographics, or social media posts.
   • Adapt your content to suit the preferences and habits of your target audience. Experiment with different mediums to maximize reach and engagement.
6. Authenticity:
   • Be genuine and authentic in your content. Let your unique personality or brand values shine through.
   • Build trust by sharing personal stories, experiences, or behind-the-scenes glimpses. Authenticity fosters connections and strengthens your brand's credibility.
7. Call to Action:
   • Include a clear call to action in your content to guide your audience towards the desired action.
   • Whether it's subscribing to your newsletter, following your social media accounts, or making a purchase, provide a clear next step for your audience to take.

Remember, creating compelling content is an ongoing process of learning, experimenting, and refining. Stay open to feedback, adapt to changing trends, and consistently deliver value to your audience.

Join us for this insightful episode as we uncover the secrets to creating content that resonates with your personal or business brand!

Contact the Smart Home Surgery

• Send us a DM on Instagram @smarthomees
• Email us at [email protected]

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We explore subcontracting within the industry with Matthew Smith and Joni Schaffer… both who have built custom install businesses and now offer help to other integrators new and old in the industry

Contact the Smart Home Surgery

• Send us a DM on Instagram @smarthomees
• Email us at [email protected]

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In this episode of the podcast, we delve into the world of smart home integrators and the dirty tactics that exist between competitors. Our guest, Tom Dellicompagni, is a seasoned smart home professional with over 20 years of experience in the industry. He shares his insights and experiences on the cutthroat competition in the industry, including tactics such as badmouthing competitors, stealing clients, and discounting projects to win work.

Tom reveals how some competitors resort to unethical behavior to gain an edge over others, often at the expense of their clients' satisfaction. He also discusses the importance of maintaining a professional and ethical approach in the industry, and how it can ultimately lead to long-term success.

We also explore the impact of these dirty tactics on the industry as a whole, and how it affects clients looking for reliable and trustworthy smart home integrators. 

Contact the Smart Home Surgery

• Send us a DM on Instagram @smarthomees
• Email us at [email protected]

Thanks for listening & see you on the next episode

In episode 6 of our 2nd series, we talk "events and relationships," we had the pleasure of welcoming the illustrious James Ratcliffe, a true industry titan in the world of custom install. As if that weren't impressive enough, James has also recently taken on the prestigious role of Cedia board director. With his vast experience and expertise, he shared with us some invaluable insights into hosting events for both interior designers and clients, as well as the art of cultivating meaningful, long-lasting relationships with customers.

Throughout our conversation, James regaled us with fascinating anecdotes and insider tips on how to create unforgettable events that truly capture the essence of a brand or product. He emphasized the importance of crafting a seamless, immersive experience that engages all the senses, from the décor and lighting to the music and refreshments. James also stressed the significance of building a strong rapport with clients, getting to know their unique tastes and preferences, and anticipating their needs before they even articulate them.

Our discussion with James truly illuminated the power of events and relationships in the world of Homeplay. Whether you're an industry veteran or a newcomer, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their game and create unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impression. So tune in and be inspired by the wisdom of this industry legend!

Contact the Smart Home Surgery

• Send us a DM on Instagram @smarthomees
• Email us at [email protected]

Thanks for listening & see you on the next episode

Get ready to dive deep into the industry secrets that only the time served can unveil. Join us as we bring you the latest episode of our podcast, where we expose the brand and distributors' dealer tactics and the art of "faking it before you make it." This conversation is not for the faint-hearted, so buckle up for some honest insights and colourful language! 🌈🌈

🎧 In this episode, we have the pleasure of welcoming back our podcast favourite, Liam McLaughlin, alongside the new guest to our pop, Thomas Hooley. Together, we unpack the strategies and tactics that brands use to gain awareness among the general public. We'll also reveal some jaw-dropping industry bombs that will leave you eager for more.

💣 Are you ready to challenge conventional wisdom and uncover the truth behind the professional smart home industry?

🔥 Make sure to share this exciting news with your fellow industry professionals as your support helps us grow the show and invite the best guests.

#NewPodcastAlert #Industrysecrets  #DealerMarketing  #SneakPeek #JoinTheConversation

Contact the Smart Home Surgery

• Send us a DM on Instagram @smarthomees
• Email us at [email protected]

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Joined my Howard and Dr Terry we dive deeper into the way we manage our mental health 

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• Send us a DM on Instagram @smarthomees
• Email us at [email protected]

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Should engineering standards matter to integrators?

Either we’re retailers who sell a range of products, or we’re home technology professionals who sell standards. This episode is about how engineering standards can boost your sales, help you make educated compromises, and manage client expectations.

We’ll debate whether engineering standards should matter to integrators.

“If you go to an architect, they don't sell bricks. If you go to a surgeon, you are asking for expertise. If you go to a lawyer, you're not gonna tell them how to write the contracts. We need to start building our brands based on our professionalism and credibility rather than the products we sell. And a massive part of that is accepting that technology and buildings is an engineering exercise.”

What we discussed

(00:00) Bringing engineering back

(00:42) Home Cinema deserves a specialist

(04:17) No such thing as a home technology specialist

(06:31) The RIGHT way to compromise when building a room

(16:15) Do clients care about standards?

(22:56) Do engineering standards actually matter?

(30:25) Targets vs. integrity

(34:07) No competent designers?

(36:57) Are we retailers or professionals?

(45:28) Designing product-neutral practices/standards

4 reasons why you need to use engineering standards:

• Never ask the customer what they want or how much they want to pay for it. This way, you’re giving away your decision-making power. You’re the one that knows the standards, and the options. Get in the driver’s seat.
• “If we don't talk about standards, ensuring consistency of experience and standards and how those standards relate to experience with our customers, I have no idea how we can have intelligent conversations with clients about compromise.”
• When you have standards to reference, you can have more sophisticated sales conversations with your clients. You can show them rooms built to different standards, and replicate the exact experience that they said they want.
• Delivering value in a predictable way = engineering

Links

Connect with Peter Aylett: LinkedIn

Connect with Ben Goff: LinkedIn

Inspire Audio Visual: Website

Contact the Smart Home Surgery

• Send us a DM on Instagram @smarthomees
• Email us at [email protected]

Thanks for listening & see you on the next episode