This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Wim De Vos. Recorded live on Friday April 14th at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Wim De Vos

Wim and his team of ex-custom installers have been growing Genesis Home Technology Architects for over 10 years. Defined as a B2B service company with a product offering, Genesis provides solutions from design, training, and marketing programs. Their premium branded products are exclusively sold through a select network of 300 certified installation partners in France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

Interview Recap

• Update on how COVID-19 is affecting European Installers
• Video marketing and how he’s sharing resources and knowledge to his Facebook audience 
• Steps that Wim and his team are taking to make it through this crisis and ways our industry can prepare for these upcoming months 
• Wim’s concept behind digital transformation and how it can affect small businesses 
• The power of marketing and how it benefits businesses and strengthens their overall visibility and messaging

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Eric Joy. Recorded live on Friday April 10th at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Eric Joy

With his vast experience in the CE space as an integrator and manufacturer, Eric shares his unique perspective on approaching communication with manufacturers and your team during a time of crisis while also advocating on the importance of leaning on other integrators and building community.

GHT Group is a proud member of CEDIA and the HTSA buying group with a single 20,000 square foot facility located in Marietta, GA.

Interview Recap

• Eric’s recommendations on the approach manufacturers and vendors should be taking to help integrators
• The importance of having a clear, open communication between your team and manufacturers
• Types of discussions Eric has been having with other dealers to help keep the industry booming through this crisis
• Steps Eric and his team are taking to keep their employees and clients safe when going out to projects

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Keith Harrison. Recorded live on Thursday April 9th at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Keith Harrison

Keith got his start in the custom integration industry in 1992 when he opened up his small A/V retail store while still in college. Today, Total Home Technologies has three Control4 certified showrooms, two in New Jersey and one in New York, and is the highest volume Control 4 dealer in the North East. 

Keith is known to be a pioneer in the CEDIA channel for recurring revenue and offering the innovative solution of leasing automation systems to consumers.

Interview Recap

• Keith’s approach to handling the changes in his business caused by the COVID-19 pandemic 
• Keith’s rental equipment leasing model and how it has been bringing ⅓ of the companies revenue for the last five years
• How Keith and his team use virtual reality solutions like Help Lightning for virtual, hands-on support calls and Modus VR for media room and home theater demos
• Keith’s motto of building a bulletproof system through implementing backup routers to make more profit as opposed to relying on ongoing servicing

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Mike Giffin. Recorded live on Tuesday April 7th at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Mike Giffin

With nearly 45 years in the CE space, Mike Giffin is an industry veteran with experience in wireless and high-fidelity audio. Before joining Help Lightning, Mike founded Wren Sound Systems, a pioneering premium brand in wireless audio after his 22-year tenure with Harman International.

As Vice President at Help Lightning, Mike develops the custom integration and consumer electronics channel to provide integrators and service technicians hands-on servicing sessions through virtual and merged reality.

Interview Recap

• The increased demand for virtual servicing during the COVID-19 pandemic
• How integrators can benefit from a solution like Help Lightning as more  consumers begin to depend on technology
• Mike's perspective on ways integrators can make it through these uncertain times

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Evan Rosen. Recorded live on Thursday April 2nd at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Evan Rosen

Evan began his career in South Florida in 1997 and since then has fought to help defend people against foreclosure and improper debt collection.

With over 20 years of practicing law, Evan experienced the effects of the 2008 market crash first hand. His unique perspective on what he learned during that time brings insight, clarity, and hope to our industry on how to approach mortgages and personal debts in light of COVID-19.

Interview Recap

• How COVID-19 is changing the law substantively and procedurally
• Evan’s perspective on the CARE Act involving mortgage protection and it can benefit renters
• Types of mortgages that do qualify for forbearance programs and what business owners should look out for to avoid building up fees
• Evan’s understanding of how the PPP payroll protection program will be determined and when companies will receive their payroll dues

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Navot Shoresh. Recorded live on Saturday April 4th at 11:00 am. EST.

About Navot Shoresh

With 15 years in the business, Israel-born Navot Shoresh started his first business at the age of 22 after his service with the Israeli Army ended. In 2001, he decided to take his passion for providing high-quality audio visual systems and founded Spire Integrated Systems out of Michigan. 

Now, Spire Integrated Systems employs over 20 employees between their Detroit and Traverse City locations. Spire Integrated Systems has been titled Best of Detroit 2019 by Hour Detroit Magazine in three categories including “Places to Buy Audio & Stereo” category and “Home Theater, Audio, Video Specialist.”

Interview Recap

• What Navot and his team are implementing to come out stronger on the other side of COVID-19 from revising company weaknesses to training processes
• How Navot is approaching leadership during this time of crisis and his recommendations on demonstrate value-based leadership
• Navot’s perspective on the future of our industry and why we matter to our communities after the Coronavirus
• The power of recurring revenue and a look into Spire’s service contract: SPS Ready