Radio

With the year ‘winding down’ (see what I did there?), here’s a simple tip to manage both your day and your customers’ impressions of you.

As AV sales people we hear a lot of sales advice and tactics. But what happens when those tactics meet reality? In this Selling AV, I talk about a time I went against my gut to deploy a tactic I paid good money to learn and what happened as a result.

Domenico Crapanzano, CEO & Founder of Domotz, speaks with me about his software based technology startup, and how it’s grown exponentially in the 6 months in being in the market. We cover the need for remote monitoring as a service, and as a convenience, We also talk about consumer vs pro services, the direction that […]

Mike Teolis, President/Co-Founder of Colorbeam North America, speaks with me about his brilliant full-rage/flicker free dimming & lighting solution. We cover topics such as full range dimming from 0-100, flicker free dimming, color shift, RGB/RBG-W, circadian rhythm, residential & commercial lighting applications and solutions. All this and more, on this episode of AV Insider.

There is an obvious shift that needs to happen in Selling AV from a box-driven sale to a managed service offering. This week I give you two tips on how to make sure the customer sees the value in your service agreements so you can keep making that RMR!

Johnny Mota (@jmota3) joins host Hope Roth (@beerandpie) to talk about construction, lights, stuff, and things. What’s it like to be the one person on a construction site who is carrying a laptop? Does Johnny really program lights from his smartphone, or is he just on snapshot all day? We talk about construction etiquette, why […]

In this episode Rob Lipps, Executive Vice President at Sonic Foundry, joins host Christa Bender (@AVChrista) to discuss recent partnerships, why streaming video is complex, and whether there is a difference in solutions for education and corporate clients. Learn about Mediasite Catch and how it is unique to classrooms. Find out how Rob got into […]

This week on Selling AV, a lighter message for a lighter work week. Happy Thanksgiving!

Three companies, CompView in Oregon, Unified AV in Atlanta and Digitavia in London have formed a global alliance to help standardize integration, worldwide, between different AV companies – and this could help smaller AV companies compete with the likes of AVI-SPL. I was joined by Unified AV’s Barry Goldin and Divitavia’s Darren Pitt on today’s […]

On Tuesday, we posted a podcast with CEDIA’s (high-end HomeAV association) CEO Vin Bruno, and today we bring you the industry’s only podcast with InfoComm’s CEO, Dave Labuskes, and Integrated Systems Events Managing Director, Mike Blackman. Dave and Mike represent two of the most important ProAV shows on the planet (InfoComm and ISE) and, in […]

Gary’s Rants and rAVe’s podcast is the industry’s first live discussion of Samsung’s acquisition of Harman – and this isn’t a bunch of AV-bystanders just sitting around discussing what might be. This is CEDIA’s CEO, Vin Bruno, AV Phenom-himself, Mark Coxon, rAVe’s founder and 28-year AV industry veteran, Gary Kayye and rAVe’s Editor-in-Chief, Sara Abrons. […]

This month I have the privilege of having a return visit by Dusty Kraatz, owner of XI Media Productions and award-winning video producer, responsible for the world’s first live 4K video stream. While we chat briefly about 4K and the current state of technology, this episode uses 4K content as the framework to push you […]

In an AV world sometimes dominated by HDBaseT, Video over IP, UHD and 4K, it is easy to get caught up in the opportunities of video. However there is a special talent needed to do audio right and that presents new opportunities for integrators with audio chops.

Salvatore Carraba, president of Salamander Designs, speaks with me about his made-in-America since day one, custom AV furniture (soft goods, and not so soft goods) company, and how its building fantastic custom made-to-order products in a short time frame. We cover built/made local processes, and how the first design is still implemented today (I have […]

As always, Christa announces that the guest on this episode of Tech Chaos is her favorite! Johnny Mota (@JMOTA3) joins host Christa Bender (@AVChrista) and they discus Johnny’s new beard and what a leaf peeper is. Johnny renames the show “Techpocalypse”. They also discuss music, movies, virtual reality, and augmented reality. If you want to […]

In this week’s episode of Coffee with Millennial-Z, catch Gary Kayye, founder of rAVe Publications, and Steven Rodriguez with a Fortune 500 tech company as they talk about the drastic generational changes in career value. Millennials thrive for the experience, not the money. The Pro, Gary Kayye, gives details about his experience with Millennials, and […]

We’ve all heard that “Content is King” but how do we as an industry take that from a cool phrase to a revenue generating opportunity? On this episode of Kings of Content, I talk with Timo Korpela of Idean about design thinking and bridging the UX gap as well as how integrators can increase the […]

Jack Sharkey, Content creation manager at KEF, speaks with me about their new LS50 Wireless speakers. LS50 Wireless is a complete and fully active music system designed for how high resolution music is now enjoyed. It delivers exceptional sound quality, once only achievable by putting together a system of high quality separate components. We also […]

Christina Engh (@missenghwyoming) and Bradford Benn (@bradfordbenn) join host Christa Bender (@AVChrista) in this extra-long podcast to talk drones, unmanned aircrafts, CTS, mentorship, books, and photography. They discuss the new Small UAS Rule (Part 107) that went into effect August 2016. They also discuss what no-fly zones mean in relation to drones and unmanned aircrafts. […]

It’s episode seven of the Floating Point and co-host Chris Tatton (@Chris_Tatton) has gone MIA. Maybe even AWOL. We’re not sure. Billy Silar (@SillyBilar) joins host Hope Roth (@beerandpie) to follow up on his past year spent learning how to be a Crestron programmer. Billy jumped in with both feet and it sounds like he’s […]

Not every customer is for you, (although they may think that they are). Find out when it may be time to fire yourself to avoid a bad fit.

Richard Prevete (@RichardPrevete), Audio Visual Technician at Compass Group North America, joins host Christa Bender (@AVChrista) to talk technology, study groups, fitness watches, and their love for The Walking Dead. Rich’s dog Lily even puts in her two cents. Rich reveals that he is using a new Plantronics headset, so he comes through loud and […]

James Banfield, President of Terra Speakers, and Alex Steed, President of Knack-Factory (Marketing forTERA), speak with me about so many new ideas, products, and everything custom at Terra Speakers. Terra has always been a custom audio solution company, but this year at CEDIA, it was very obvious they are a major player, and a force […]

This week, two of the AV industry’s most well-known and respected women appear on AV Power Up with host Corey Moss and the Crew: Cory Schaeffer, Director Systems Solutions at QSC, and Jan Sandri, President at FSR, Inc. Both of them are representative of what every person, and not just women, should want to aspire to […]

In the AV world, referrals are like gold.  This week on Selling AV we discuss why asking for referrals to everyone will actually yield referrals to no one.

Have anyone else ever found it ironic that an industry built to enable communication hasn’t always been the best at communicating its story? Well, this month we get a few tips on how to rectify that issue from a longtime consultant to the AV industry, Elizabeth Eames, owner of Contemporary Communications Consulting. Listen closely as […]

Join the Crew: Corey Moss, Katye McGregor Bennett, Sandy Ciarlo and Megan Powers as they welcome their guests: Amy Barzdukas – Vice President, Global Solutions Marketing at Polycom John Greene, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Advanced AV On this episode (Megan’s 2nd!) we have two great people on with us, one who is a VP that talks and tweets day, night […]

Alex Capecelatro, Co-Founder & CEO of Josh AI, speaks with me about his new voice control automation company, Josh AI. We discover his background with technology , startups, and the need for Josh’s existence today.   Alex also tells us that Josh AI was designed for the high-end residential market, and is currently direct to dealer/integrator, with plans on releasing their “micro” version […]

Join the Crew: Corey Moss, Justin Watts, Deron Pinchback, Sandy Ciarlo and Megan Powers as they welcome their guests: Mike Shinn (@axpmike) – Vice President of Customer Relations at IMS Technology Services and co-host MHO show Chris Neto (@chris_neto) – Audiovisual Consultant at AV Helpdesk, Inc. and co-host MHO show Along with our guests, we welcome our new Crew member Megan […]

In this week’s episode of Coffee with Millennial-Z, catch Mike Shinn with NSCA’s Ignite program and Cristina Zalucky with a Fortune 500 tech company talk about best ways of spreading the word about an industry that cannot market itself. Mike Shinn also gives details about the Ignite program’s successful launch: from students’ feedback and involvement […]

If you have heard some of the gurus of storytelling out there declare the elevator pitch dead, I am here to respectfully disagree.  Listen to this Selling AV to find out how to effectively use an elevator pitch in the storytelling economy.

Join Crew members from AV Power Up past and present: Corey Moss (@Cbmoss): Crew I (2015) co-host/producer, Crew II (2016) Host/producer Christa Bender (@AVChrista): Crew I (2015) Host Katye McGregor Bennett (@katyemcgregor): Crew II (2016) co-host Justin Watts (@PaladinMachina): Crew II (2016) co-host Deron Pinchback (@DPinchback23): Crew II (2016) co-host Joey D’Angelo (@joeyaudeeo): Crew II […]