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!
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Stratecon’s ALERT Newsletter to Be Discontinued
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…
READ BELOW to see why the ALERT is going away and, more importantly, what’s coming!… [Read more…] about Stratecon’s ALERT Newsletter to Be Discontinued
Tell Us What YOU Think – Take Our 2013 CEDIA Expo Survey

September is just days away and those of us in the custom integration channel knows what this fact means: it’s time for the Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association’s (CEDIA) Expo – this year being held in Denver, Colorado from September 26-28. As this annual trade show is such a key event – and given the fact that it provides a barometer on the overall health of the custom integration industry – for several years now, we’ve been conducting a survey to learn your thoughts about the event itself.
See what’s new this year… [Read more…] about Tell Us What YOU Think – Take Our 2013 CEDIA Expo Survey
Azione Adds Another Member as Growth Trajectory Continues
Azione Unlimited, a national buying group of hybrid retailers and custom integrators, announced today that it has added its 75th member – a sure sign that its growth trajectory continues to move upward. The new member, Sound Ideas, Inc. of Armonk, NY, has joined the group effective immediately.
See more on Azione’s expansion… [Read more…] about Azione Adds Another Member as Growth Trajectory Continues
Thought for the Week – August 26, 2013
But the fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
Carl Sagan
Whoa! An Elephant CAN Tap Dance
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!
Learn how one marketer used social media to turbo-charge their sales…
URC Wants You to Add a Little ESP To Your Installations
URC, the former remote control king that has morphed into a home automation company, announced on Tuesday the MRX-4SEN Sensor Extender and six new sensors that tie into their well-regarded Total Control System. A clever system add-on, the sensors allow a range of system inputs that can trigger actions or Macros.
Learn more about this clever new product from URC… [Read more…] about URC Wants You to Add a Little ESP To Your Installations
Klipsch Hopes to Add a Little Luck to Their Team
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.
See more on this new endorsement deal… [Read more…] about Klipsch Hopes to Add a Little Luck to Their Team
CEDIA Says New Benchmarking Data Suggests Moderate Industry Growth
This week the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) released what it called key findings from its 2012 and 2013 annual Benchmarking Survey of members. The findings were of 2012 final results and dealer expectations for 2013 and according to the trade association, suggest that the industry has stabilized and is even back to showing moderate growth.
See more on these key industry findings against which you can benchmark your company’s results… [Read more…] about CEDIA Says New Benchmarking Data Suggests Moderate Industry Growth
Joe Knows (High Performance) Video
One of the highlights of Audio Associates Dealer Expo in New Jersey last week was a key seminar on video screens given by none other than Joe Kane, one of this industry’s best known and most respected video technology experts. Kane’s presentation was supposed to cover how to select the best screen for the installation – but the enigmatic Kane couldn’t help himself and covered – rapid-fire – several topical industry subjects for an engaging presentation that went well past its scheduled 60-minute time slot.




