Strategy in TECH...
Apple, Inc. announced on Tuesday the long-awaited update of its key iPhone 5 smartphone, only to see its stock pummeled – losing more than 2% of its value on Tuesday and another 5.44% on Wednesday as investors appeared under-whelmed by the announcement. But is this reaction fair? Has Apple lost its innovation mojo? Or is Apple the victim of unreasonable expectations?
One of the hottest trends in the automobile industry over the last few years is the emergence of a whole new category of vehicle called the “crossover.” A crossover combines the capacious body design of a modified SUV (sport utility vehicle) with the enhanced handling and drivability of a car-based chassis. The result is something that doesn’t exist in either of those independent categories.
Now, Salamander Designs, Ltd. and Leon Speakers have partnered to create their own version of a crossover for our industry as Salamander launches a new line of accessory custom speakers from Leon, perfectly designed to integrate with their cabinets.
We often think innovation has to be some major technological breakthrough – some amazing new mobile device…or smartwatch…or IP-enabled network controller configurator extender…or such. That’s cool…but we’re firm believers in all forms of innovation – including mini-innovations. And there are opportunities for innovation everywhere. ICE Cable, for example, says it has innovation – in the box!
There are some major – and exciting – changes taking place here at The Stratecon Group headquarters…and on its Strata-gee.com website.
While we can’t tell you everything going on at this point – the big news that we can tell you is that the ALERT newsletter is being discontinued.
Why would we discontinue our ALERT newsletter, which many of you – our loyal subscribers – have been receiving for years? Read more below…
Social media has revolutionized marketing communications in many ways. But still, some haven’t figured out how to make it work. I often hear from companies who tell me that they don’t want their employees “wasting time” on social media – as if its only purpose is in sucking up time, or providing meaningless diversions. Smart companies recognize that, done well, social media enhances relationships with customers…and builds corporate reputations.
This week, Bloomberg tells the remarkable tale of a really old-school marketer that has figured out how to use social media to turbo-charge their relationship with customers and generate real sales. An amazing lesson that we can all learn from: elephants really CAN tap dance!
Klipsch announced this week that it has signed an endorsement agreement with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck to serve as its official brand ambassador. The company says that Luck will bring a “fresh perspective” and “creative inspiration” to the brand.
We told you last week about Soundcast Systems, Inc. who has engaged in a bold play to reinvigorate its business with the owners upping their capital investment, bringing in new management, an
d ramping-up both marketing and personnel. When we interviewed President Mike Weaver about his international strategy, he paused and declined to go into great detail. He did, however, vaguely allude to a forthcoming “major announcement” relative to Soundcast’s international plans.
Today, the company revealed what must be the news that Weaver was referring to, as it announced that the company has hired LVZ International, a firm that specializes in international sales.
Earlier this week during the Audio Associates Dealer Expo held in New Jersey, we had an opportunity to meet with Mike Weaver, President of San Diego-based Soundcast Systems, Inc. Soundcast, a manufacturer of wireless outdoor speakers has been around for quite some time and although it seems to have achieved some recognition for good quality products, the company has been a little sleepy and unremarkable…until recently, that is.
With new money from the founders, a new team of executives, and recently launched new products – Soundcast has definitely cast a new expanded role for itself in the industry…
By now, most of us in the TECH industry have launched websites to represent our businesses online. However, it can be hard to know just how your website measures up as compared to other small business websites – all vying for attention of the web “surfers.”
Now, a new and pretty comprehensive study of more than 6,000 small business websites has been released – and the results provide a benchmark against which you can see how your web marketing efforts measure up.
When we ask integrators or installers how they get business, we’ll often get the same one-word answer: referrals. This is not a huge surprise. But what is a little surprising is that when we ask how they go about getting referrals – we often get nothing but perplexed looks.
