“That’s Too Expensive, my customer would never buy that”
Over the past few months, I have had the great pleasure and opportunity to attend several dealer events and trade shows, in the USA and Internationally. One of the comments…
Read more
Is Your Company Sitting on a One-Legged Stool?
When my kids were younger, I would tell them the following story to guide them towards better stability in their life. I would tell them if they had a stool…
“Expand your horizons into commercial projects, for new opportunities.”
After 30+ years in the industry, 2023 will be one to bookmark. In 2022, we saw a surge in business with so many projects backed up in the pipeline off…
How can we elevate the level of professionalism in the CI Industry?
Recently, I was at dinner with some friends and the topic of Smart Home Technology came up in the conversation. Immediately one of the ladies at the table said “Don’t…
“Is your business healthy enough to withstand a fatal blow?”
A few weeks ago, I went into the hospital after suffering through some agonizing abdominal pain for roughly 12 hours. After getting admitted, they ran some tests and performed a…
When the going gets tough. the tough work harder!
A few weeks ago, I was in Florida for a wedding. During the week, my wife and I took a break to hang out on the beach and had a…
Are you afraid of your phone?
Have you ever been afraid of your phone? Over the past few weeks, I have had several friends and family members contact me because they had money in hand to…
Don’t Discount Your Value!
I just returned for an amazing ISE (Integrated Systems Expo) in Barcelona, Spain. During my visit to ISE, I spent one evening with a group of dealers at a local…
“Are you creating Superfans with each customer touchpoint?”
As many of you may know, I grew up in the Bahamas. I have the great opportunity to travel back to the Bahamas frequently to visit relatives and check on…
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
My wife and I had a special guest at our house recently. Our good friends dropped off their 5-year-old son, Nash with us for the weekend. We had a blast…
Cold calls build character and create success!
Recently, I had the pleasure of enjoying a lunch with a former employee and good friend of mine. We reflected on a time when we were trying to build up…
Beware of the SFD!
In 1962, a group of four British musicians drove ten hours in a snowstorm to audition with Decca Records. After playing several songs, the producer at Decca dismissed them citing…
We All Work for Sales!
“We all work for sales.” I was recently alerted to this business mantra. A friend of mine recounted how he would tell his staff: “you don’t work for accounting, for…
The BIG Corp now Representing 4K Media Management Manufacturer Zappiti
Zappiti a manufacturer of 4K media players, has strengthened its presence in the custom installation market with the appointment The BIG Corp to manage its U.S. sales business and drive…
“Sail towards your future success!”
In 1884 in a small town in Hassroun, Lebanon an eleven-year-old boy, Thannous Michael Saadi made the brave and pivotal life decision to leave his beloved country with his uncle…
Communication will determine the success or failure of your business!
Many years ago, when I had my Integration Company, I was working on a very nice remodel project. The homeowner was a big Italian guy with a very “strong personality”,…
“I’m Too Busy”
I would like to …… but I’m too busy is something that I have thought or said countless times over the years. I would like to take this course, update…
Prestige Audio and Pulse Cinemas Deliver The UK’s ‘Best Exterior Audio System’
A recently completed project by high-end UK integration company, Prestige Audio, delivered an impressive array of AV experiences for the home owner. A dedicated home cinema, a fully integrated media…
SAVANT Acquires GE Lighting. North American lighting company and one of the most trusted brands in the world.
Boston, MA May 27th, 2020 – Savant Systems, Inc., an industry leader in the professional smart home space has announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to purchase GE…
Selling Home Technology to Baby Boomers
I have been in the consumer electronics industry and involved with residential technologies for more than 30 years, with several decades invested as an integrator meeting with hundreds of end…
“Delight your prospects, even if they don’t become a customer”
Last year I was on a business trip overseas, visiting prospective new customers, with a local Sales Rep who distributed several of my product lines. During our conversations, a company…
Guest Appearance on the Automation Unplugged Podcast
Pete Baker, President of The BIG Corp, is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years of global experience making large strides in the CE industry. Pete began his…
The BIG Corp in Scotland for Russound Training
Thank you Connected Distribution for hosting a nice Dealer event. And thank you to the dealers who invested the time with us to learn how to “Sell Differently” and earn…
Vendez différemment
Je suis intégrateur dans l’âme, je le fais depuis plus de 20 ans. En conséquence, j’aime rencontrer des intégrateurs du monde entier et leur parler de leur succès et de…
“It’s all about perspective!”
As an avid runner, I love the story of the first sub 4-minute mile. For over a thousand years countless people tried to run a sub 4-minute mile. It was…
BIG in Russia
Great visit to Russia, representing Savant and Russound. Thank you to each of the dealers who invested their time to attend our events.
CEDIA – Connected Conference on the Gold Coast in Australia
BIG was proud to attend and speak at the CEDIA-Connected Conference in Australia
Russound Training in South Africa
A great visit with the talented team at Homemation in South Africa. Thank you to all the dealers who attending our Russound Training Event and learned how to “Sell Differently…
SAVANT South Africa – Launch Event
A great visit to South Africa to launch a new partnership with the talented team at iLED/Savant South Africa. The Launch event included a comprehensive Product Training and an afternoon…
Don’t discount your value
In sales and business planning Price is one of the single biggest elements in your sales process, economic engine and health of your business. How do you determine the pricing…
“Give your team a voice” The importance of honest communication in business
During a recent business trip to Russia I was told a fascinating story about the construction of a famous building. As the local legend goes, Joseph Stalin commissioned an architect…
2019 Russound Partner Awards Event
Another great Russound dinner and awards event with some of the most talented distribution partners from around the world. Congratulations to all of the winners and thank you for your…
SAVANT® UNVEILS NEW PRODUCT ROADMAP AT 2019 INTEGRATOR SUMMIT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SAVANT® UNVEILS NEW PRODUCT ROADMAP AT 2019 INTEGRATOR SUMMIT CEO Robert Madonna highlights exciting new products and significant innovations for the custom installation market HYANNIS, MASS. —…
Anders Verkaufen
Ich bin Integrator durch und durch, denn damit habe ich über 20 Jahre meines Lebens mein Brot verdient. Deswegen treffe ich mich auch so gerne mit Integratoren auf der ganzen…
Quelle serait votre expérience 7 étoiles?
Récemment, j’ai écouté un podcast fascinant du cofondateur et PDG d’Airbnb, Brian Cheskey qui expliquait comment ils avaient modélisé l’expérience clients et amélioré de façon spectaculaire les services qu’ils offraient.…
2018 MENA Dealer Event
We just finished amazing Dealer Events in the Middle East with the great team from GES! Thank you to all the talented dealers who traveled from all over the MENA…
What’s your 7 Star Experience?
I recently listened to a fascinating podcast interview with the co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, Brian Cheskey. During the interview, Brian described how his company has in recent times reviewed…
Sell Differently!
I am integrator at heart, I did it for over 20 years. As a result, I love meeting with Integrators all over the world and talking with them about their…
Savant Demo Videos Now Available
The Savant demo videos are a great resource to help navigate through all the great features Savant has to offer.
Are you ready for your next BIG opportunity?
Since the start of this year I have been approached by a dozen or more industry friends and colleagues who have either been displaced in their career or looking to…
Pay It Forward!
I believe we all have a responsibility in life to provide a positive impact on those around us. We are really a sum our life experiences (and genealogy, of course),…
The BIG Corp now Representing Savant, Internationally
The BIG Corp is excited to begin working with the talented team at Savant and it’s dedicated channel partners to deliver the amazing products from this world class manufacturer to…
A plan to GROW!
How do you want this year to be written into your company history? One of several options exist: – Shrink – Flatline – GROW! When business is good, it is easy to get…
The BIG Corp Retained by Video Innovator Sim2® to Represent the Brand Internationally
CHANHASSEN, Minn. — June 22, 2016 — The BIG Corp (Baker International Group), a leading global, full-service sales rep firm, announced today that it has been selected as an international…
3 E’s to Success
How an Employee Engagement Plan Can Improve Business and Create a More Cohesive Team.
Nehmen Sie die Scheuklappen ab und verbessern Sie Ihren Service am Kunden
Es ist Freitagabend fünf Uhr. Sie haben eine lange, arbeitsreiche Woche hinter sich. Sie verspüren leichte Kopfschmerzen von den unzähligen Entscheidungen, die Sie getroffen haben, Problemen, die Sie aus der…
“Pourquoi un client devrait choisir votre entreprise?”
En tant qu’intégrateur, vous êtes-vous déjà posé les questions suivantes : quel est votre argumentaire commercial, quelle est votre valeur ajoutée par rapport à vos concurrents, comment l’argumentez-vous, êtes-vous crédible…
“Choisissez-vous la solution de facilité ou la réelle solution appropriée pour vos clients?”
Durant les 25 dernières années de ma carrière dans l’industrie électronique grand public, j’ai eu l’oppor- tunité et le plaisir de rencontrer des installateurs dans le monde entier. Et régulièrement…
“Warum sich Kunden vor Ihnen fürchten”
Sie werden es vielleicht nicht glauben, aber viele Menschen schrecken davor zurück, in Unterhaltungs-Elektronik zu investieren, die professionell installiert wird oder haben zumindest einen gewissen Respekt vor Technologie. Sie befürchten,…
“Gehen Sie den Weg des geringsten Widerstandes oder bieten Sie Ihrem Kunden die passende Lösung?”
Im Verlauf meiner über 25-jährigen Berufslaufbahn in der Konsumer-Elektronik-Branche hatte ich Gelegenheit, mit professionellen Systemintegratoren rund um den Globus zu sprechen. Oft bekam ich ähnliche pauschale Aussagen zu hören: “Ich…
“Who do you think you are? What is your brand?”
In a recent article, I posed the question: “why anyone should buy from you?” This was designed to encourage you to explore what value you have to offer your customer…
Are you instrument rated?
Recently, a major commercial airline made global headlines because of an error by the pilots in landing at the wrong airport. Not only did these pilots deliver a plane full…
Take your blindfold off … and elevate the service experience for your clients
It’s 7pm on Friday night and it has been a long, busy week. Your head hurts a little from the countless decisions you’ve made, problems you’ve solved and, hopefully, deals…
Valuing Your Services – Why Price Matching Online or Big-Box Retailers is Hurting Your Business
When I owned my integration business, I was regularly asked how competitive my prices were, if my prices were similar to those online, if I would match the prices of…
The BIG Corp Named International Sales Manager for Home Audio Distribution Systems Leader Russound
CHANHASSEN, Minn. — June 20, 2016 — The BIG Corp (Baker International Group), a leading global, full-service sales rep firm, announced today that it has been selected as the EMEA…
Are You Selling The Right Solution?
“Are you taking the path of least resistance or offering the correct solution to your clients?” Over the course of my 25+-year-career in the consumer electronics industry I have had…
Consumers are a little scared of you (Professional Integrators)
Believe it or not, many consumers are actually terrified of purchasing professionally installed entertainment systems, or at least a little intimidated by technology. The simple reason for this is that…
Why should anyone buy from you?
A good friend of mine and former managing director of Jamo US, Helge Fischer, would often say to his team: “Nobody standing in line is waiting to buy Jamo speakers…
NEAR Appoints The BIG Corp as Export Sales Representative
Gardiner, ME – February 17, 2016 – Today NEAR, a division of Bogen Communications, Inc. (“NEAR”), a high performance outdoor speaker manufacturer, announced the appointment of The BIG Corp. (Baker…
KRIKA: THE ULTIMATE PADDLE
The industry is moving further and further away from being centred around AV and being squarely focused on the network. As such, integrators should be on the lookout for devices…