Automation Unplugged Podcast

Automation Unplugged Podcast

Automation Unplugged is a Facebook Live show recorded weekly with our host Ron Callis, Owner and CEO of the digital marketing agency, One Firefly. In each Automation Unplugged episode, Ron speaks with leading industry personalities and technology professionals to discuss all things business development, technology trends, and more. These interviews are designed to help our clients and members of the custom integration industry keep up-to-date with the latest news as well as learn from experts in the field.

Episodes

September 27, 2023 51 mins

During our time together, we discussed:

  • The state of the custom integration industry in the UK
  • Comparing and contrasting the northamerican and the UK markets
  • One Firefly’s participation in the upcoming Ei Live! Show

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au249

SHOW NOTES

David has 40 years of experience in the publishing and exhibitors’ industry. In 2009, he founded All th...

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During our time together, we discussed:

  • The challenges of opening a business in the midst of a pandemic
  • Ians take on the current state of hiring in the Av industry
  • Aspires new project R&D Lab and how this has impacted quality and delivery.

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au248

Be sure to check out Ian’s first appearance on Automation Unplugged back on show #94 reco...

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During our time together, we discussed:

  • John’s experience in broadcast TV and video editing
  • John's Emmy winning journey, covering two Olympic games for NBC
  • Why Netgear AV entered the CI channel
  • The role of AI in copywriting and imagery and other forms of content creation

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au247

SHOW NOTES

John started out working in broadcast TV with a ...

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During our time together, we discussed:

  • Jason's 23-year experience as editor of CE Pro magazine
  • The role of recurring revenue in our industry
  • Some of the actionable insights possible thanks to DTools Business Intelligence capabilities

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au246

SHOW NOTES

Jason has been involved in the low-voltage smart home market since 1990. He was the ...

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During our time together, we discussed:

  • Shawnon’s experience deploying technology into 100+ Apple Stores across the country earlier in his career
  • Getting featured in the Wall Street Journal for one of their biggest projects back in 2018
  • The local market trends in Silicon Valley

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au245

SHOW NOTES

Shawnon founded Zettacomm, his Silicon V...

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During our time together, we discussed:

  • Company culture and the importance of putting the right people in the right positions.
  • The role of  branding and marketing to differentiate your business
  • The outlook for the smart technology industry in the current economic climate.

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au244

SHOW NOTES

In 2002, Ryan founded Ratio Inc while studying...

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During our time together, we discussed:

  • The wealth of experience Eric has gathered over his 23 years in the industry
  • A business owner's perspective and advice for those looking to start a new company
  • Podcasts and resources he uses for personal growth and development

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au243

SHOW NOTES

Cameron is a process and data expert who joined the ...

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During our time together, we discussed:

  • Tom’s start in custom integration back in 1967
  • Tom’s passion for live performance music
  • Lessons learned during 9/11 and the Great Recession and how they could apply to our current economic cycle.

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au242

SHOW NOTES

Tom's extensive management background in electronic marketing and computer-based or...

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During our time together, we discussed:

  • Why three business units
  • The focus on “making customers for life”
  • Changes in client expectations over the last 20 years in home automation

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au241

SHOW NOTES

Carmine is the fourth generation of Colangelo's to work at C&T Electric Corporation. Founded by his grandfather in 1973, C&T celebrates 50 y...

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Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Eric Pyle;

  • The wealth of experience Eric has gathered over his 23 years in the industry
  • A business owner's perspective and advice for those looking to start a new company
  • Podcasts and resources he uses for personal growth and development

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au240

SHOW NOTES

Eric started ...

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Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Matt Grant;

  • Matt’s experience remotely managing his business from an RV over a period of two years
  • The role of company culture and assuming positive intent
  • Lessons learned from Apple employees and processes

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au239

SHOW NOTES

Matt is the CEO of Eyehear Technology Group ...

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Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Alesia Hendley;

  • Alesia’s upbringing and how she started her trajectory working sound boards at her father’s church
  • Her move to personal branding and her journey as an industry influencer
  • Why Pro AV industry is not well known and what the industry could be doing to recruit new talent

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visi...

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Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Will Gilbert and Greg Michelier;

  • Will and Greg’s background and what led them to founding Think Simple and Bodhi.
  • Bodhi Software as an IOT Solution
  • How they go to market with Bodhi

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au237

SHOW NOTES

Greg and Will along with their 3rd partner Rock co-founded Think Simpl...

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Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Koa Wagner;

  • Koa’s career trajectory and how he originally founded Blueprint
  • The Great Recession and how diversification helped Koa keep his business open during those challenging years
  • Recent changes to the business, including: his wife joining the business, bringing on an EOS consultant and making a pivot into lighting

To get transcripts, resources of what wa...

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Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Darrin Medley;

  • Growing up as the child of Bill Medley,  the famous singer known for many famous songs including Unchained Melody.
  • The Hi Solutions Differentiator - The HIWAY - An autonomous Home Process Culture
  • How HI Solutions is scaling culture through public acquisitions.

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefi...

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Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Morné Smit and Oliver Tuffney ;

  • The importance of creating a winning sales culture and building sales processes that get results
  • Why B2B companies need a playbook to scale
  • The types of companies that are likely a good fit for Emerse Consulting

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au234

SHOW NOTES

Morné h...

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Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Nick DeClemente;

  • Managing the holiday season crunch.
  • one-app control solution vs a multi-app approach
  • Bringing on consultants
  • How to close big deals
  • Company Culture

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au233

SHOW NOTES

Nick is a 20-year Industry Veteran. He started in CI in 2001 while studying Fine Arts in...

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Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Bryan Mills;

  • Bryan’s journey from mechanical engineering to running the 3rd generation family business.
  • A fun story about Bryan redesigning the Tapcon Screw.
  • Bryan’s diversification in the business during the Great Recession in 2009
  • Mills Technologies and how EOS has been implemented to the company’s culture.

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned ...

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Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Tom Doherty, Michael Libman and David Warfel;

  • The history behind Lightapalooza
  • Event logistics including vendors, attendees and trainings offered
  • The growing importance of lighting in the custom integration industry

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au231

SHOW NOTES

Lightapalooza 2023 is the 2nd Annua...

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Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Sarah Dresher;

  • Sarah’s journey leading up to her becoming an entrepreneur
  • Ageism vs Sexism in the AV industry
  • Sarah’s perspective on the role of reps vs a direct sales force in the CEDIA space

To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit: onefirefly.com/au230

SHOW NOTES

Sarah Dresher founded Luxury Integrated Technologies, in e...

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