CE Pro Business Resources Stories

Use Your Showroom as an Event Space

2008-10-09T16:04:00-05:00

Entertaining Spaces, an integration company in San Francisco, uses its showroom as private screening and event space, demonstrating both its integrated functionality and design aesthetic.

4 Challenges of Integrating in New York City

2008-10-09T12:05:00-05:00

It's not easy to be an integrator in New York City, but Paul Austi, owner of Long Island City, N.Y.-based Audio Video Crafts, says his team knows how to do it.

8 Industry Benchmarks Revealed: How Do You Stack Up?

2008-10-07T12:15:00-05:00

Now is the time to be using benchmarks to ensure your company is operating efficiently. See where you stand against some of these yardsticks.

Are You Mining Old Customers for New Business?

2008-10-07T12:14:00-05:00

Within three months of marketing to previous customers, Audio Advisors was able to re-fill its job pipelines and return business levels to their previous highs.

Consumers Now Trust Online Payment Providers

2008-10-03T16:06:01-05:00

New study says consumers trust online payment providers. Custom retailers may soon have to incorporate online banking kiosks in showrooms.

Security Guy Loses $800k for Lacking a Contract

2008-10-02T18:26:00-05:00

Complete Security Systems assumed its long-time customer, whose $1 million jewelry collection was stolen, understood their security system and didn't require a contract. Doh!

Is the Fourth Quarter Still King?

2008-10-02T12:06:00-05:00

Many hybrid custom retailer/installers are re-evaluating their approach to the holiday season. They no longer count on December to be the biggest sales month of the year.

3 Ways to Market in the Fourth Quarter

2008-10-02T12:04:00-05:00

Your Q4 marketing activities need to start now. You will need the next few months to remind people who you are.

3 Easy Ways to Motivate Your Salesforce

2008-09-30T11:57:01-05:00

Putting together the right mix of compensation, performance incentives and sales quotas to motivate your salesforce is challenging -- but very doable if you keep a few key points in mind.

9 Steps to Developing a Sales Compensation Plan

2008-09-30T11:57:00-05:00

When you're ready to develop a compensation plan for your salesforce, you need to ensure that everyone is motivated to get it done.

Installer Gets Smart on Fuel Economy

2008-09-26T12:09:00-05:00

With gas prices hovering at just under $4 per gallon, Primetime Cable bought two 36 miles-per-gallon Smart cars.

9 Ways to Protect Your Business in a Down Economy

2008-09-26T12:05:00-05:00

With consumer confidence at a 20-year low, custom integrators and specialty retailers everywhere are scrambling to find ways to contain costs and to create business in order to survive this period of economic uncertainty.

Understanding Challenges and Opportunities in a Global Economy

2008-09-25T11:49:00-05:00

Is the state of the current economy a boon to business for retailers in the custom electronics industry? It depends on where you are, say top CE executives.

Custom vs. Consumer: How to Choose the Right Products

2008-09-25T11:48:00-05:00

When differentiating yourself from the mass market as a custom integrator, the products you deal with are just as important as how you manage your installation processes.

Do You Have a Cyber Cop Watching Your Back?

2008-09-19T12:40:00-05:00

The electronics security officer (ESO) of a company (or "cyber cop," if you will) is the person tasked with keeping the systems safe.