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CE Pro of the Week: Ron Callis, Firefly Design Group
Ron Callis, president, Firefly Design Group, with his Jack Russell Terrier Oliver
How would you use Twitter to describe what your company does (140 character limit)?
We’re the No. 1 consulting/design firm in the industry. By focusing on proven processes & strategies we enhance clients’ success & profits.
After you complete a project, what do you think your typical client tells his friend about the experience?
Our clients enjoy the confidence they feel knowing Firefly Design Group is there for them. Our aim is to help our clients improve their sales close rates and improve the efficiency of their project completion.
We customize our services to each integrator according to their particular needs. We get a lot of new business from referrals, so whatever they are saying it must be good!
- Principal: Ron Callis, president
- Location: Hollywood, Fla.
- Web site: http://www.firefly-designgroup.com
- Years in Business: 3
- Number of employees: 8
- Residential/Commercial Split: 70%/30%
- Number of 2009 Installations: N/A
- Top 3 Brands: Control4, Crestron and Lutron (“These are the most common we see.”)
We strongly believe the electronic systems contractor should pay close attention to their business processes. All aspects of their business should be defined and the processes consistently driven through the organization.
If necessary they should seek outside assistance to learn best practices. CE pros should know they are not alone and that by participating in organizations such as CEDIA, or working with firms like Firefly, they can reduce the time required to engineer a well-run business.
What trade tip can you offer your fellow CE pros?
Today, getting business in the door is probably one of the biggest challenges. To improve the close rate the electronic systems contractor should define its company’s selling process and message, and train its sales team.
This strategy also makes bringing new salespeople onto the team and training them a much easier proposition. The electronic systems contractor will see an increase in its brand recognition when they train its sales team to sing the same song.
What’s the wildest request you’ve ever had for an installation?
We see some pretty wild stuff. We designed the control and automation of a large project in Fort Lauderdale which included 11 outdoor waterfalls, 100-plus zones of music and audio, discreetly located controls and James Bond-type effects in many locations.
What is your 3D strategy and do you think the technology will live up to the hype?
3D makes for great marketing. The marketplace is very curious, but I personally can’t see a glasses-based 3-D solution going mass market.
What is your absolute favorite piece of audio demo material?
Diana Krall
What is your absolute favorite piece of video demo material?
Avatar, one of the most visually stunning movies ever made.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
As a mechanical engineering college student at Virginia Tech I designed, built and captained a team that won the 2000 International Human Powered Submarine Races.
Also, my first job was at NASA Langley Research Center doing wind tunnel research. I worked there during my summer and winter breaks as a high school student.
During his Virginia Tech days, Callis designed and built an award-winning human-powered submarine.
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4 Comments (displayed in order by date/time)
Thanks Dan.
I did see trouble coming for the economy, but certainly didn’t see the bottom dropping out. I don’t think anyone did…Fortunately for Firefly, a bad economy spells opportunity as business owners are looking for ways to operate more efficently with fewer staff.
See you in ATL!
Ron,
It is good to see a familiar face featured here as CE Pro of the week.
I really think that Firefly is revolutionizing our industry by giving small firms with great install skillsets a way to take their companies to a whole new eschaton. Most integrators want to focus on what they do best, and a firm like yours allows them to also provide great sales processes, design, and documentation as well.
Best of luck, and I’m sure we’ll continue to see you and your firm referenced by industry insiders as a great resource.
Mark C
Congrats & great job Ron! I too have heard and read many positive comments about Firefly and like to speak with you. Please send me a private e-mail so we can touch base.
BTW: Do you ever rent out the sub? If I ever go under, I’d like to go out in a unique style.
Congratulations Ron. Great to see your firm doing well and growing. You took a huge chance leaving an industry leader to venture out and build your own dream. All during a horrible economy. You’ve always been somebody in the industry who does what you say and says what you mean. Keep up the good work and see you in Atlanta. We’ll need to talk about getting your team trained on Nirv for design services to the dealers.