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Strata-SERIES: RMR Programs – Not Just Revenue, A Redefined Client Relationship

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Introducing A New Article Series on RMR Programs

Cover of Residential Systems December issueHave you seen the December issue of Residential Systems Magazine? I wrote the cover story, “Maintaining Customer Joy” (online as: “Maintaining Customer Joy Through Service Plans“), a detailed article about the benefits and challenges of implementing a recurring monthly revenue (RMR) program in an integration company. In that story, I interviewed four top integrators who all had successful RMR programs, about the trials and tribulations of establishing that program…and the benefits they derived from it.

In researching RMR programs, I learned that they are much more than a revenue stream – they literally redefine the relationship with the client. I had uncovered more than I expected…so much more…

A new Strata-SERIES on RMR programs – redefining the client relationship… [Read more…] about Strata-SERIES: RMR Programs – Not Just Revenue, A Redefined Client Relationship

Gibson Stuns the Music World, Shuts Down Cakewalk

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Acquired in 2013, Cakewalk was Killed for Philips, Gibson Says

Cakewalk logoIn what many in the industry are suggesting is yet another indicator of struggles at Gibson Brands, the company announced a little over a week ago that it would wind down operations at Cakewalk Inc., a popular music creation software company it owns. Music industry-centric websites around the internet exploded with largely critical coverage of the move, and comments on Cakewalk’s website are decidedly negative – both sad and angry – as customers seek to process the shocking news.

See more on yet another move by struggling Gibson…

[Read more…] about Gibson Stuns the Music World, Shuts Down Cakewalk

CEDIA Elects New Board Members; Is Change at Hand?

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Photo of Matt D. ScottCEDIA has wrapped up the election process for three open board seats that we first told you about here in a post from September. There were a total of seven candidates vying for three open slots. The election is over and ladies and gentlemen we have a winner, er, three winners.

See who joins the Board for 2018… [Read more…] about CEDIA Elects New Board Members; Is Change at Hand?

Gibson Brands Continues to Show Signs of Strain

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Downsizing Factory & Dilution of Onkyo Ownership

Logo for Gibson BrandsRecent developments have thrust Gibson Brands back into the spotlight once again – a spot that CEO Henry Juszkiewicz doesn’t particularly enjoy, unless he’s there on his own terms. But this time, two tidbits of news have conspired to bring Gibson, and their financial challenges to the fore. And as we try to digest all of this, it’s clear that Gibson is continuing to show signs of strain due to sluggish results from its aggressive diversification into consumer electronics jeopardizing its ability to deal with looming huge debt payments on the loans used to acquire CE brands.

See the news that shines a light on Gibson’s troubled financial position… [Read more…] about Gibson Brands Continues to Show Signs of Strain

Confirmed: B&W Closes Classé HQ; Staff Dismissed

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Photo of Classe amp
Classé CP-800

We have now confirmed that at the end of the day last Friday, October 6th, the Classé headquarters facility was in fact closed by Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) for the last time and all remaining employees were dismissed. This move is a sad and sobering end to a once proud brand celebrated by many audiophiles as one of the finest performing lines of high-end electronics available.

See more of what we know about the closing of Classé… [Read more…] about Confirmed: B&W Closes Classé HQ; Staff Dismissed

Case Closed: Classé Closing October 6th

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Classe logoMultiple sources are telling us that on Friday, October 6th, the Montreal headquarters of Classé will close their doors for the last time and all remaining employees will be let go. This includes the dismissal of Classé President Dave Nauber, who has been with the company since 2002. Classé is part of the B&W Group, which itself is going through a major restructuring in the wake of the dismissal of President Doug Henderson as we reported to you back in July.

See more on what we’ve learned about the situation at Classé… [Read more…] about Case Closed: Classé Closing October 6th

Is Strata-gee Tolerating a Violation of Its Comment Policy?

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Top of Comments sectionRecently, we were publicly called out on Twitter with a somewhat snarky tweet about the Strata-gee “Comment Policy.” Or rather, to be more precise, a tweet appeared that slyly inferred that our policy was toothless. This tweet was in response to a social media post we had made promoting our article titled What We’ve Discovered about CEDIA’s Sale of the Show.

It wasn’t the article that upset the Twitter poster, but rather, it was apparently a comment placed on that article that he appeared to feel violated our Comment Policy. So, let’s talk about that…

Did a comment get published in violation of Strata-gee policy?… [Read more…] about Is Strata-gee Tolerating a Violation of Its Comment Policy?

Is Gibson Brands Headed for a Default?

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Moody’s Hits Gibson Brands with Another Credit Downgrade

Logo for Gibson BrandsMoody’s Investors Service, one of the largest credit rating services in the world, has downgraded the credit rating for Gibson Brands, the Nashville-based parent of Gibson Guitar, Onkyo, Teac, KRK, Philips, Stanton and more. Moody’s has set their rating on Gibson Brands debt to Caa3, down one step from Caa2.

The move caused Wall Street investment analyst The Street to raise the specter of the possibility of Gibson Brands defaulting on their debt.

See why Moody’s says the Gibson Brands situation is unsustainable… [Read more…] about Is Gibson Brands Headed for a Default?

On Eve of Last CEDIA-Produced Show, Are We at a Turning Point?

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CEDIA sells off showWhat a weird time it is for CEDIA members. We are about to head to San Diego in a couple of weeks for the last-ever CEDIA show produced by CEDIA, after which we are losing the greatest revenue-generator for the organization…we have no CEO (just a temporary fill-in) and the reason for the previous CEO’s exit has never been explained…we have been globalized, the benefits of which to American members aren’t exactly clear…we are awaiting a new strategic plan which is being crafted by a consultant in England…and the organization is about to spend some $14 million to build a new building before we even have the strategic plan to tell us if that makes any sense.

It seems as though the organization is at some kind of a turning point. But are things turning up, or down? We talked to some leading industry executives to get their perspective on what’s going on at CEDIA.

See what some are saying about the direction of CEDIA… [Read more…] about On Eve of Last CEDIA-Produced Show, Are We at a Turning Point?

Thiel Audio’s New CEO, Elyse McKenna, Talks to Strata-Gee

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New CEO Outlines a New Future for the 40-Year Old Brand

Photo of Elyse McKenna, Thiel Audio CEOYou practically need a scorecard to keep track of the revolving group of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) that have come and gone from Nashville-based Thiel Audio. The specialty speaker company has had five CEOs in four years – leading to an unending series of disjointed actions from a disconnected group of high-powered executives, each with their own vision of where to take the company.

Now it is new Thiel CEO Elyse McKenna’s turn…and she has a plan… [Read more…] about Thiel Audio’s New CEO, Elyse McKenna, Talks to Strata-Gee