Going Forward
The Smart Home Buyer Journey
Do the purchase of smart speakers lead to a full smart home conversion? Parks Associates investigates.
Features
Back to Business
A Different Kind of Safe Space
How to create high-performance teams with belonging.
In the Field
The Finish Line: Ways to Increase Value
Preparing your company to be sold — even if you have no intent in doing so right now — makes a ton of business...
5G
Need to Know: New Tech Check-In
We’ve been told that 8K, 5G, and AI will change our lives and our businesses, but when’s that going to happen?
Back to Business
Tech Showcase: Business Software and Services 2020
Help for the less-fun side of being a residential AV integration dealer.
Features
Coping with COVID-19: Pro Audio Technology
Paul Hales, president and product designer at Pro Audio Technology discusses the company's response to COVID-19.
Going Forward
(Re)defining the Smart Home
More robust networks, expanded use of AI and voice control, and maximizing streaming quality are among the current smart home priorities.
Home Theater
The Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of Private Theater
If you can answer these questions for your prospective home theater customers, then they will have the information they need to make the right...
Business Book Club
Business Book Club: ‘The Way I Heard It’ by Mike Rowe
Unknown stories of well-known people.
Marketing
How to Create a Simple Marketing Plan
An easy six-step process to make a 90-day marketing plan.
From the Editor
Opening Up
Now is the time to think about what your business will look like as we navigate the new-yet-familiar post-pandemic world.
Back to Business
10 Ways to Revitalize Your Business
It’s the right time to take stock of your company and implement some improvements.
Features
Coping with COVID-19: SurgeX
Rick Komendera, manager of sales at SurgeX, discusses the company’s response to COVID-19.
Theater Design
Top 10 Home Theater Design Trends
An inside look at what's hot in the world of home theater design.
Features
Coping with COVID-19: DISH
Frank DeFilippis, general manager of custom integration at DISH, discusses the organization's response to COVID-19.
Business Book Club
Business Book Club: ‘Goals!’ By Brian Tracy
How to get everything you want faster than you thought possible.
InterNetworking
Technology Solutions for Healthy Living at Home
The true smart home gives integrators access to every room in the house.
Back to Business
Reinventing Your Integration Company
Fundamental product development practices to help your business be more adaptable.
Features
Coping with COVID-19: PowerHouse Alliance
Dennis Holzer, executive director at the PowerHouse Alliance, discusses the organization's response to COVID-19.
Features
Coping with COVID-19: Legrand AV
Mike Grubb, VP of marketing at Legrand AV discusses the company's response to COVID-19.
Behind the Business
Showrooms: Selling the Experience
A great showroom can create a memorable experience for customers — and open their minds to new possibilities.
Home Theater
Home Theater: It’s a Science, Not a Science Experiment!
Some tips on how to make projects less trial-and-error, and less stressful.
Going Forward
The Single-Platform Smart Home
Shared platforms, standardization, and system interoperability will bring big opportunities in 2020.
Behind the Business
The Art of Lighting Design
Veteran lighting designer Peter Romaniello, IALD, has some sage advice for AV integrators getting into the game.
From the Editor
The Power of Patience
In this hunt for self-improvement, the thing that has had the biggest effect on how I live and work is the effort I put...
From the Editor
The New Essentials
For those of us in self-quarantine during this pandemic, we are learning who really are essential personnel in a true crisis.
Home Theater
The Key to a Better Builder Relationship
A home theater designer could be the builder liaison your business needs.
Marketing
The Fallacy That Marketing Is an Expense
Marketing your business is a necessity, not an option.
Business Book Club
‘The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing’ by Al Reis and Jack Trout
Re-think how you see and do your marketing with this insightful book.
Behind the Business
Building Constructive Relationships
How to grow your custom install business by establishing relationships with building professionals.
From the Field
Enlightening Experience
Lutron’s NYC Experience Center gives clients a demo they won’t soon forget.
Going Forward
Opportunity Knocks at KBIS. Will You Answer?
KBIS 2020 was a banner year for technology in the kitchen and bath, presenting integrators with a treasure trove of opportunities waiting to be...
Business Book Club
‘Thinking Fast and Slow’ by Daniel Kahneman
Understanding automatic fast response versus a more thoughtful, slow response in our decision-making process.
In the Field
Creating Your Lead Generation Flywheel
Keep the pipeline flowing with this consult-producing engine.