Always remember the distinction between contribution and commitment. Take the matter of bacon and eggs. The chicken makes a contribution. The pig makes a commitment.
Jean Mack Carter, former editor, Good Housekeeping
Archives for August 2014
Wait Till You See What’s Coming, Core Brands VP Tells Us
Last week, Strata-gee was the first in the industry to report the financial second quarter results for Nortek, Inc. and while the overall news had many positive points – the results for the now-separately reported AV group was quite negative, driving the overall company into a net loss of $46.2 million. Our story hit pretty big, and drew a lot of “eyeballs” from around the industry.
One set of eyeballs belonged to a VP for Core Brands – who reached out to us… [Read more…] about Wait Till You See What’s Coming, Core Brands VP Tells Us
Put a Little Bounce in Your Sales with Spring Deck
Imagine this – your sales team heads out to meet with prospective clients for your integration business somewhere in your service area. In a meeting, the client likes what they hear, but wants to see just exactly what the salesperson is referring to.
Like magic – presto changeo – your salesperson whips out an iPad and instantly pulls up a sharp, colorful image of the key components being proposed. What’s that you say, Mr. Prospect? You’d like to know how many HDMI inputs this unit has? Another click and a pdf of a manufacturer’s product cut-sheet opens up to detailed specifications – ah, there’s the answer.
Oh wait! – your salesperson exclaims – let me show you this short video made by the manufacturer that demonstrates a key feature that would be perfect for you. A colorful video plays instantly and smoothly, without any “buffering” hesitation.
Is this a pipe dream? No…its Spring Deck – an all-new central resource for your sales team.. [Read more…] about Put a Little Bounce in Your Sales with Spring Deck
ProSource to Offer SVS Subwoofers
ProSource, a national retailer buying group, will add SVS subwoofers to its product line-up, the company announced on Tuesday. According to a published statement, “SVS is being tapped to energize subwoofer sales for independent retailers…”
See more on this interesting development… [Read more…] about ProSource to Offer SVS Subwoofers
Needing Cash, Sharp Will Sell Land Under Major Factory
Sharp Corp. is said to be in the process of selling the land under one of its major factories in Osaka, Japan, in a bid to raise cash. The transaction, reported by the Nikkei, is said to be happening as early as the current fiscal year.
But that’s not all the company is selling… [Read more…] about Needing Cash, Sharp Will Sell Land Under Major Factory
Thought for the Week – August 11, 2014
Well done is better than well said.
Benjamin Franklin
Azione Unlimited Collides with Kaleidescape
Azione Unlimited, the retail buying group, announced this week that they have added Kaleidescape to their roster of vendors supporting the organization. According to their vendor listing on the groups website, this now brings their roster to 40 vendors with direct relationships, as well as more available through distributor partnerships.
See more on this new development… [Read more…] about Azione Unlimited Collides with Kaleidescape
Builders Group Holds Mid-Year Construction Forecast Meeting; Economists Cautiously Optimistic
The Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., (ABC) a builders trade association, held their third annual Mid-Year Construction Forecast presentation this week…inviting economists from three industry-related associations to present their outlook on the construction industry. This year, the invited economists included Kermit Baker (American Institute of Architects, AIA), David Crowe (National Association of Home Builders, NAHB), and their own Anirban Basu (ABC).
The economists this year were, overall, cautiously optimistic – with a heavy emphasis on caution.
See more on the presentations from the construction industry economists… [Read more…] about Builders Group Holds Mid-Year Construction Forecast Meeting; Economists Cautiously Optimistic
Dazed and Confused About Hi-Res Audio? Here’s Help…
GUEST POST
(PHOTO: Len Schneider)
Quick: What’s the most misused term in audio next to “subwoofer”?
You, yeah, you in the back there – did you say “hi-res”?
No more calls, folks, we have a winner!
[Read more…] about Dazed and Confused About Hi-Res Audio? Here’s Help…
Nortek’s Struggling AV Division Forces Company to Book a $46.2 Million Q2 Net Loss; Burke is Out
Sean Burke, Head of Technology Solutions Group is Leaving Company
Nortek Inc. released yesterday the financial results for their fiscal second quarter and first half showing a solid overall sales gain of 13.9% to $718.6 million, up from $630.7 million in the same quarter last year. Sales increased at a more moderate pace for the first half, coming in at $1.266 billion or 10.1% higher than the $1.149 booked last year.
But in a bit of a surprise, the company chose to break out the results of their AV division separately – clearly exposing what many had suspected for a couple of years now – this division is in serious trouble. Even more surprising, in a filing with the SEC, the company revealed that Sean Burke, Group President of the Technology Solutions Group is leaving the company “to pursue other interests.”
