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Managing Growth
In the face of increasing complexity, managing growth is a top priority for systems integrators The systems integration industry has become increasingly complex. Twenty years ago you didn’t have to focus on business processes in order to be successful, but you do today. “We have evolved beyond the days of
Culture Shapes the Future of Tempest Technologies
Work hard, play hard. Take time for your family. We invest in our employees on a personal level. We provide opportunities for them to grow, not just along a career path, but also in their personal lives. “These are the core values of Tempest Technologies,” according to CEO Debbie Williamson.
The Cost of Culture
Culture has become a real buzz word in the AV industry, and Navigate talks with a lot of companies about culture. But when we talk about culture, what do we mean? In this week’s video, Brad Malone breaks it all down, “Most of the time, I don’t think people really
What Should A Lessons-Learned Process Focus On?
When working on an integration project, how often do we hear, “Didn’t this happen last time?” Remember, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result. You could say the same about many organizations’ lessons-learned process — or more aptly
Responsible Actions
Positive reinforcement in the workplace is a good way to motivate your employees. But how should you balance this with negative reinforcement when it comes to creating deadlines and meeting goals. Navigate’s Brad Malone talks with us about creating a culture of responsibility within your business.
How Many Types of Software Are You Using?
A common complaint from integrators is having too many different pieces of software that don’t talk to one another. “This is not uncommon, because the industry has grown up this way,” according to David McNutt. “There was never a really good piece of software to cover everything. So we use
Assessing the Value of Investing in ERP Software
Calculating the return value of an investment can be daunting, even for the experienced executive, but one which includes new ERP Software may be at the top of the list. Say the word “Enterprise” and it means the whole business will be involved and it’s sure to mean “change”- and
The Cost of Dropped Handoffs
What is the cost of dropped handoffs in your AV integration business? How many of us regularly experience the drama, chaos and re-work of dropped handoffs? Why does this happen? Don’t we practice those handoffs – of which there are hundreds – every project, every year? In our AV Integration
Handoffs Between Organizational Roles
What is the cost of dropped handoffs in your AV integration business? In my experience managing projects — and in working with companies that are also attempting to manage projects — a key determinant of success or failure is the handoff between organizational roles and functions. In small companies, where
From Service to Support
Service is the act of doing. Support is the act of doing with the interest of your customer’s success in mind. The evolution of service to support, is a really hot topic these days. Steve Riley, our resident expert on support, shared his wisdom on this topic in a two
It’s All About Support Part 2: How to Deliver Outstanding Support
We surveyed 100 traditional service clients and asked, “What does outstanding support look like to you?” In Part One of “It’s All About Support” we made the case for continuous client support and listed the five steps needed to get ready to provide it. Part Two will address the process to actually
Using RMR As Your Financial Backbone
Recurring Monthly Revenue can support your business between your regular installations through jobs like AV as a service and support agreements. Navigate’s Steve Riley talks about the importance of recurring revenue from a service and business standpoint.
The Value of System IDs in Delivering Support
System IDs allow you to identify individual systems by a unique number, defined as a list of serialized assets that belong within the system. In today’s video, Steve Riley, talks to us about one of his passions, the area of the business called Support. “I’ve been seeing a migration or
It’s All About Support Part One: The Overview
There are five necessary steps for integrators that intend to provide Support Why do so many AV integrators spend their time and resources selling projects and nothing else? Projects come and go, and when they go, you need to refill the hopper with more projects. Projects clog up the warehouse,
Watermelon Culture – Green on the Outside, But All Red Within
Navigate’s Brad Malone talks about the danger of a “Watermelon Culture”, where projects appear on-time and budget, but hide issues from the client. How to encourage transparency and hard truths within your projects.
Drilling Down with your Projects
When it comes to your clients’ projects there are several steps in the sales process for getting down to what they really need. As a sales and engineering team, it could be easy to assume certain things about a project especially if it appears similar to another project. Navigate’s Bill Sharer diving deep with discovery during the sales process.
Creating a Company Culture for Success
Brad Malone from Navigate Management Consulting discusses creating company culture. Malone describes the decisions that need to be made at the top by leadership. How do you incorporate culture and values throughout an organization? What do you do when handling “special” employees?
Done and Done-Done
In some companies and industries, once the salesperson has the purchase order they consider their task to be complete. In the audiovisual industry that isn’t always the case. Bill Sharer talks about when the salesperson’s job is done, and when it’s done-done.
Setting Goals for Employees
On this AV Profession, we look at the importance of growth tracks for your employees. How you define them and the best way to set up a compensation plan for your employees. Navigate’s Brad Malone talks about developing your employees and empowering them for success.
Company Vision and Mission
Vision, Mission, Values, and Ethics. What these words mean to you and your business. How a “special” salesperson or client could be hurting your company’s mission.
The Cost of Quality
What is the cost of quality? On this episode of The AV Profession, we talk with Navigate’s Brad Malone about understanding the cost of creating quality projects. How do you get rid of the “done, done” mentality? We also discuss how you can find out how much it’s really costing you to do a job multiple times.
The Profit Killer – Unnecessary Process Variation
I’ve had the privilege of being an intern under Dr. W. Edwards Deming (I wonder how many readers know the significance of that name without “Googling” it), a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Regional Auditor (same interest as above), and a Certified Quality Auditor via the American Society for Quality.
Better Decision Making – Part 2
What is a decision? It’s “the course of action you intend to take when it isn’t obvious what to do.” Part One of our discussion about decisions addressed how managers should approach them. Part Two raises some ideas and questions for further consideration about who should make the decisions: you or
Management is about Making Decisions
Good management is about making clear and timely decisions so that the business runs smoothly and profitably with as little disruption and drama as possible. Three common deterrents to clear decision making by company leadership are: doubt, fear and lack of structure. Making decisions as you work on your business
Navigate Academy
Online training for systems integrators and their technology partners.