5 Tips from the CEDIA Management Conference

Big-picture business strategy is the focus at the CEDIA Management Conference in New Orleans this week.

But attendees are also garnering some sage operational advice. Here are five quick tips.

Wearing a Wristwatch Saves 11 Hours Per Year

Keynoter Connie Podesta proved a point to all the integrators “under the age of 37” who don’t wear watches, saying they are making a basic business mistake.

Podesta, a motivational speaker, randomly timed a younger audience member who opts to check the time on his iPhone, and then timed herself looking at a wrist watch. With a watch, you can check the time within one second; those without watches take approximately seven seconds.

She says an average person checks the time 22 times per day. That means a person who does not wear a wristwatch and checks the time on a cell phone will waste almost a day and a half of work (11-plus hours to be exact) per year.

“So think of your watch not just as a time-telling device, but as a time-saving device,” she says.

Teach at a Trade School to Recruit Technicians

CEDIA president Ken Erdmann of Erdmann Electric has been teaching at the local trade school for the past 15 years. It has become his best source for new talent.

“I see who the best students are and hire them for my company,” he says.

Solicit Good Waiters and Waitresses as New Hires

Finding a quality customer service person is difficult. Russ Pritchard of Audio Warehouse in Charleston, S.C. remembers waiters and waitresses who provide extraordinary service and gets their contact information. Whenever he has a job opening in customer service, he gives them a call.

Start Texting and Tweeting

Podesta reminds integrators that everyone on your payroll is “in sales.” “If you have kids or are married, you are in sales because you have to convince your family to do things,” she says. To that end, dealers cannot afford to ignore Twitter and texting in today's society. For the Millennials and Gen Xers, texting is a primary means of communication.

She cited several instances where integrators can use text messaging and Tweeting to gain new clients and connect with clients, especially ones who do not return phone calls. “Word of mouth referrals are great, but they are not necessarily the best form of finding new clients these days," she says. "You need to use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and text messaging.”

Don’t Make Installers Do Their Own Timesheets

Podesta says it is ridiculous to force highly-paid technicians to do their own timesheets. “Why would you pay someone $60 an hour to do timesheet paperwork. Find someone else to do it and pay them $15 an hour,” she advises.

Podesta went on to say it is demoralizing to technicians to make them fill out timesheets at night during their unpaid time.