Visions of a Fully Connected Home

by | Apr 15, 2021 | Blog, PR & Communications Tips

Reflectel Design in the Smart Home

For many families working and schooling from home, 2020 wasn’t the ideal time to redo a space as essential as the kitchen or bathroom, noted Todd Tomalak, principal at JBREC, in the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and John Burns Real Estate Consulting (JBREC) Q3 2020 Kitchen & Bath Market Index (KBMI). However, as we settle into 2021, designers and technology integration pros are reporting a significant uptick in both inquiries and project starts.

In fact, NKBA’s recently released 2021 Market Outlook report—based on homeowner feedback—reports a tailwind of big interior projects and indoor kitchen remodels, and indicates smart home products will be a popular premium feature upgrade. That’s opportunity knocking!

“Smart kitchens and bathrooms used to be nothing more than a concept—a vision of the future—but now they’re quite common,” notes Gordon Van Zuiden, owner of CA-based systems integration firm cyberManor, whose new smart home experience center near Silicon Valley features top-of-the-line connected appliances and technology.

Van Zuiden remodeled a former schoolhouse into a home with high-end kitchen appliances by Thermador and Bosch; a bathroom outfitted with Kohler’s Veil intelligent toilet and Konnect DTV+ spa showering system; and smart energy by Sonnen to illustrate how design and tech not only harmoniously coexist but complement each other.

“Consumers are demanding design-forward homes and expect tech to play a role. That’s where we come in—to help guide the conversation and deliver the experience.”

Here are a few things to consider as you design to accommodate today’s top tech.

The Network Is King
A home’s technology, much like its physical infrastructure, needs a solid foundation to perform at its best. Without fast, reliable connectivity, any device that connects to the network to enable or operate smart features will struggle.

High-end, built-in appliances, like those from Signature Kitchen Suite, LG, Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau, now also rely on the home network, some with app-driven recipes and cooking instructions and remote service capabilities, which help assuage the fears of those unaccustomed to smart home technology.

Add to that other data-intensive smart appliances like voice assistants, voice-controlled faucets, connected showering systems, media room systems, smart speakers, HVAC, and just about everything else in the modern home, and you can see why the network is absolutely critical.

Hiding Tech in Plain Sight
If your clients are planning a project with smart home features and functionality, it’s crucial to provide them with a variety of options early-on in the design process.

Many technology manufacturers are taking an innovative, design-forward approach to product development so that technology can now be hidden in plain sight and so that your designs can truly take center stage.

“The most popular homeowner request for technology in a kitchen and bathroom is speakers,” says Rocky Settacasi, a design consultant at TRI Phase Techologies in Zionsville, IN. Background music can evoke a variety of moods, making a room feel warm and welcoming one minute, and relaxing, reflective, energetic or entertaining the next.

The standard design-conscious solution is typically speakers mounted flush with the ceiling surface. Round and relatively small, they resemble light fixtures for minimal visual impact. “But why pockmark the ceiling when speakers can completely disappear?” Settecasi proposes. “Some speakers, like Sonance’s Invisible Speaker line, can be covered with a coat of finishing compound and paint, venetian plaster, wallpaper, wood veneer, you name it. Because you can’t see them, invisible speakers allow us to place speakers where they will work best instead of trying to work them into the layout of the ceiling lights—often a challenge and not always the best approach for even, balanced audio coverage. Products like these, are game-changers for rooms like kitchens and baths.”

Mirror, TV, on the Wall
“A mirror is a must in the bathroom. And in the kitchen, it creates the illusion of space and light,” says Elizabeth Goldfeder of Reflectel, a maker of high-performance, custom-framed mirror TVs in virtually any shape or size to complement your kitchen or bath design.

OLED or QLED displays are discreetly hidden behind the glass, completely invisible until turned on. The homeowner can queue music, check messages, and check connected security cameras to see who’s at the door. Beautiful and functional, mirror TVs have attracted some of the country’s most prestigious designers, and are showcased at design showrooms, including Christopher Peacock, Aster Cuciene, Bloomingdale’s and Urban Home. When using a mirror TV, it’s also important to make sure everything is properly connected and secure on the network to maintain privacy.

  • Reflectel Design in the Smart Home

Beautifully Integrated Control
When it’s dark, hands are full, or relaxation is the objective, it’s easier to call out commands to activate smart home commands than it is to press a button or touchscreen. There’s never been a better time or place to integrate voice control or smart speakers then now, especially in the kitchen and bath.

Today, homeowners can manage most smart home automation using their voice, including lighting control, security, faucets, toilets and showering systems. Brands like Delta and Kohler now offer voice-controlled fixtures that offer the perfect assist when multitasking is needed.

Brands like Basalte, Lutron, TruFig and Vittrea have design-forward keypad offerings.

Innovative mounting solutions from companies like Wall-Smart enable tablets, security cameras and wireless networking gear to be concealed in walls, ceilings, counters—or virtually anywhere.

“We’ve been able to recess smart devices like voice assistants in the toughest of surfaces, like a stone backsplash, for instance, making it a seamless part of the kitchen and bath design,” says Greg Montgomery, of TYM Home Technology Design.

Virtual Showrooms
Many brands now have showrooms and experience centers that offer virtual tours that are easy to access and full of inspiration. Most are available by appointment only and hosted by someone skilled in design and tech, who can easily translate both languages.

Virtual showrooms can also help connect design-build and tech integration pros and are an excellent source of referrals. Take a look online for Lutron, Crestron, Savant, Control4, and if you haven’t seen it, the Seasonal Living Virtual Designer Showhouse is also a fabulous source of inspiration.

Working together with design/build partners and armed with knowledge, integrators can create high design and functional spaces that deliver a new level of luxury.

Looking for a technology integrator? The Home Technology Association (HTA) has an Integrator Finder as well as a Technology Budget Calculator that helps identify a starting point and price range for smart home projects that design-build pros and their clientele are free to use, anytime.

—

Original article was posted here: https://connecteddesign.com/visions-of-a-fully-connected-home

A 25+ veteran of the residential tech & AV integration industries, Katye McGregor Bennett is the CEO of KMB Communications, a boutique communications firm that anchors the intersection of technology + design by connecting brands, buyers, and prospective audiences through creating compelling content and conversation that elevates and amplifies. In addition to co-hosting Design Uncut with Veronika Miller, Katye hosts two popular podcasts, Connecting Tech+ Design and AV Trade Talk. She is a frequent contributor to Residential Systems and Connected Design publications. She is part of the DesignHounds influencer group and also serves on the NAHB Custom Technology Work Group, is a strategic advisor in the CEDIA, HTA, and AVIXA communities, a frequent contributor to Residential Systems, Connected Design and founder of the AV Yoga group.

Always Plan for the Worst-Case Scenario

by | Mar 31, 2021 | Blog, PR & Communications Tips

If we’ve learned anything in the past year of the pandemic, it’s that contingency planning is absolutely critical.

Contingency plan
Illustration: Imagezoo/Getty Images

As the pandemic piledrove its way around the world, the word “pivot” buzzed through Zoom meetings as manufacturers, integrators, organizations, and associations alike scrambled to make their businesses functional in the so-called new normal.

Hamburger chain Fuddruckers addressed bread shortages by selling loaves directly to consumers (unfortunately, that didn’t work out for them as many locations have shuttered anyway). Liquor companies began to produce hand sanitizer from distilled alcohol (though we’d argue the alcohol was just as important). Integrators rose to the occasion, turning to virtual service and support programs when it was not safe to roll a truck or do site visits in person (and absolutely crushed it, I might add!).

Trade show cancellations spurred a range of emotions from reluctant relief to questionable optimism to extreme panic to slap-happy indifference as brands scrambled to promote products they had been prepping for release without a physical venue.

If we’ve learned anything in the last year, it’s that you never know what tomorrow might bring and that contingency plans are a critical part of a business strategy, especially when it comes to marketing.

Imagine if we all knew the full impact of what was about to happen around the globe in December 2019 or even January 2020, right before the world fell into chaos, and had the foresight to prepare a Plan B?

Here’s a relevant example. On February 9, 2021, the virtual doors were supposed to open for both the International Builders Show (IBS) and the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). Thousands of attendees were expected to “attend,” hundreds of brands were to occupy the “exhibit halls,” and the week was to be filled with fabulous programming, rich and relevant content, and inspiring speakers and panel sessions galore.

Unfortunately, the platform the shows were running on simply couldn’t handle the traffic. The “exhibit halls” were inaccessible for the duration of the event and programming had to be rescheduled. Show management teams scrambled to facilitate a new way to deliver content and made miracles happen, fast. However, as things fell apart at the start, attendees didn’t know what to do, where to go, and exhibitors were dead in the water. Social media posts spoke of booths being open and fantastic new wares being shown, shared starting times for talks, panel sessions, and other programming. Links pointed to booths and graphical assets showed dates, times, and booth numbers. All very typical, but all totally irrelevant once the dominoes started to fall.

So, what are the takeaways from this?

For virtual trade shows or events, make sure everyone on your team has easy access to relevant assets and is ready to host your booth or talks on another platform. A landing page on your website is a great way to redirect people to a new location and share information, and those are always great to have in place for events, anyway, as it focuses your audience’s attention on the event and what your brand is doing there.

For presentations, YouTube and Zoom are now very commonly used and easily accessed by the masses, which is a consideration for contingency planning in and of itself. Have these (or other) platforms enabled and ready to go. People need to be able to shift over to your new location with ease, and downloading a new app and becoming familiar with it just isn’t convenient during events.

Prepare and enable your marketing and communications team. They need to be present and vigilant the day of the event, with no other major obligations to get in the way of them hopping on social media and diverting attendees to your new platform.

Your social media team should be briefed, have logins, and be ready to take the wheel in the event of a problem. They need to be actively following event feeds and hashtags and monitoring for brand mentions and responding quickly. They should also have posts prepped and ready to go because every second counts when you have a scheduled event that’s expected to start on time but, for whatever reason, doesn’t!

Your sales team will need to know how they should communicate with customers and prospects, how to connect with attendees and share information, where to direct people, etc.

The list goes on, but this gives you an idea of the types of things you need to be thinking about any time events are involved. Whether an event is to be virtual, in-person, or hybrid, always be prepared for the worst-case scenario.

Sound like overkill? Perhaps. But when your valued customers or valuable prospects are yanking on the virtual tradeshow doors but are locked out, you’ll thank yourself and your marcomm teams for being ready to rock with carefully crafted, on-brand messaging. Being nimble in your marketing and communications has literally never been more important.

Original article was posted here: https://www.residentialsystems.com/features/secrets-of-success/always-plan-for-the-worst-case-scenario

A 25+ veteran of the residential tech & AV integration industries, Katye McGregor Bennett is the CEO of KMB Communications, a boutique communications firm that anchors the intersection of technology + design by connecting brands, buyers, and prospective audiences through creating compelling content and conversation that elevates and amplifies. In addition to co-hosting Design Uncut with Veronika Miller, Katye hosts two popular podcasts, Connecting Tech+ Design and AV Trade Talk. She is a frequent contributor to Residential Systems and Connected Design publications. She is part of the DesignHounds influencer group and also serves on the NAHB Custom Technology Work Group, is a strategic advisor in the CEDIA, HTA, and AVIXA communities, a frequent contributor to Residential Systems, Connected Design and founder of the AV Yoga group.

Putting the ‘Social’ Back in Social Media

by | Feb 26, 2021 | Blog, PR & Communications Tips

Social media is like life. Develop your personality, build friendships, have realistic expectations, and engage for real success.

social media
Getty Images

Two words that many an integrator loathes: social and media. But why? Usually, it’s because integrators are just too busy and can’t handle the daily grind of posting and tagging. However, spend some time building your brand on social media and you’ll reap the rewards, often in ways you can’t predict. Social media is, after all, about networking. Networking in turn creates a conversation, which opens the door for opportunity. Change your view about social media from blech to heck yeah and watch those opps begin to pop.

Find Your Voice

Unfortunately, there is no magic formula for social media success.

Really. There isn’t.

Sure, you can follow best practices, but really, it’s about putting in the effort to see what works for your brand and what resonates with your audience. “A lot of people think just opening an account, like Instagram, and posting something once in a while is enough. But you need to devote time to it. You need a plan,” says Scott Abel, director of quality and customer at SAV Digital Environments (savinc.net) — a company known for their digital marketing chops.

But before you can have a plan, you need a voice. Start out by evaluating who you are as a company and crafting your brand’s voice. Why? Because social media is crowded and you don’t want to sound like your competition. Are you Aspirational and Passionate? Honest and Friendly? Brands often say to us, “We want to be like such-and-such company on social media.” But, in reality, they are vastly different from the company they aspire to emulate. You simply can’t fake authenticity. What makes your company your company? Sometimes just asking these questions is a catalyst to better marketing messaging that defines your brand identity.

Paul Bochner of Electronic Concepts in New Jersey, for example, has had great success (14K+ followers on Instagram) by honing the brand’s voice to be aspirational and showcasing brands like McIntosh and B&W — that have incredible brand loyalty — in richly produced product and showroom videos. “These videos get thousands of views. Then, someone will come into the showroom and say they saw us on YouTube or Instagram.”

Content Do’s and Don’ts

Now that you’ve spent some time thinking about what makes you different in your market and how you want to show up on social media, think about your content. Here are some quick do’s and don’ts.

Do vary your content based on the platform. An Instagram post should be very different from a Twitter post, a Facebook post, or a LinkedIn post. Tailor the content and use best practices for each platform.

Don’t let your feed get stagnant. Posting the same type of content ad nauseum is no bueno. You want to deliver a variety of dynamic content that keeps your audience engaged. “There are only so many pictures of a beautiful living room or exterior that you can post without boring your audience,” says Abel. “Mix it up. Post a gorgeous professional shot of a project and then a day or two later post a photo of someone in the trenches or a project in the works.”

Do look for the “wow.” “New content is always good, but you need to be selective. Always look for the wow, even on the smaller projects,” says Otto Benson, president of Modern Home Systems. “Also, keep it clean and organized.”

Don’t put text on your images. Abel advises not posting images with text on them. “Statistically, images with text get less engagement.” However, he does recommend using longer-form text in social posts that allow you to click off to a blog, and has increased SAV’s traffic by 200 percent in doing so. “Those people reading that much of a social post want to read more and will follow the link to our site, increasing our retention rate and decreasing our bounce rate.”

Don’t use watermarks on images. Bochner recommends avoiding watermarks on images, which, he says, diminish shareability. A huge, colorful logo might not be so appealing for an architect to repost on his or her Instagram, for example. However, it does protect you against others sharing your image as their work. So, consider what’s most important and post accordingly.

Do champion others. “It’s called social, which means you don’t want to make it just about you,” says Abel. “Make it about others — employees in your company, trade partners, even clients (with their permission of course).” Having a cause is also a good thing and is becoming increasingly important for consumers who are looking to invest in companies they believe in.

Engage and Re-Engage

Voice and content guidelines down, now it’s time for the fun part: growing your followers. Every post is an opportunity to grow your network. But you must remember that conversations are two-way streets. If you don’t tag, follow, and mention those you want to engage with, they simply won’t hear you. Use hashtags to invite others into the conversation. “Team up with other trades and cross-market, even with Instagram. Tag others’ work and they will do the same,” says Benson.

You wouldn’t expect to continually be invited to dinner if you never hosted, right? Same is true in the digital sphere. You need to engage with other accounts to create a two-way conversation; don’t expect them to simply come to you. “That means liking other people’s content, and commenting — but positive comments only,” says Abel. Again, it’s about being social!

Build Naturally, Not Sneakily

You can easily tell when a social media account’s following is not really engaged, which speaks to suspicious methods for building a following, fast. When an account has 50,000 followers and only gets a handful of likes per post, for example, something is amiss.

A little social ad spend can be a very good thing and get your account and your posts in front of the right eyeballs. “It takes less than 30 seconds to create a targeted ad. I might spend $100 to $200 a month but get 50,000 relevant, geo-targeted video views,” Bochner says.

Stay Calm and Socialize On

You didn’t build an entire network of friends, family, and colleagues over the course of a few months. So why would you expect to build thousands and thousands of followers in the same short span? “I recommend just trying things out. If something doesn’t work, try something new. And be social about it. Don’t just leave social media to the platforms. Talk to people about it, such as in casual conversation over a cocktail,” says Abel.

Most of all, be patient: If you build it, they will come!

Original article was posted here: https://www.residentialsystems.com/features/secrets-of-success/putting-the-social-back-in-social-media

A 25+ veteran of the residential tech & AV integration industries, Katye McGregor Bennett is the CEO of KMB Communications, a boutique communications firm that anchors the intersection of technology + design by connecting brands, buyers, and prospective audiences through creating compelling content and conversation that elevates and amplifies. In addition to co-hosting Design Uncut with Veronika Miller, Katye hosts two popular podcasts, Connecting Tech+ Design and AV Trade Talk. She is a frequent contributor to Residential Systems and Connected Design publications. She is part of the DesignHounds influencer group and also serves on the NAHB Custom Technology Work Group, is a strategic advisor in the CEDIA, HTA, and AVIXA communities, a frequent contributor to Residential Systems, Connected Design and founder of the AV Yoga group.

Is It Time for an Image Revamp?

by | Jan 11, 2021 | Blog, PR & Communications Tips

Marketing Tips on how to buff up the way clients and trade perceive you in 2021.

Getty Images

Have you ever visited a website, seen a “news” article from 10 years ago, and then bounced? Or perhaps you were told by someone you’re doing business with that they’d get back to you, and they never did? Do you choose to do business with those vendors?

Probably not, because first impressions are everything. There’s an art form to communicating and projecting a professional image, which is directly linked to building and retaining client and trade partner loyalty and confidence. With the new year about to unfold, it’s an excellent time to re-evaluate your approach and image. Here are some things to consider.

Tamp Down the Tech Talk with Trades

In the AV industry, we love to talk tech and have essentially created a unique language derived almost entirely of acronyms. When talking to designers, builders, and architects (and their clients), it’s far more effective to lead with design and tangible benefits rather than technology or performance — no matter how passionate you are about these things.

Instead, talk about how your firm can conceal technology or make it a centerpiece, and have high-quality photos and videos available for show-and-tell. Discuss how you, your company, and your team — not your products — will deliver simplicity and efficiency to a project and convenience, comfort, and enjoyment to a household. As you do, make it clear that you and your team are there to support them at every turn.

“We used to say to designers and architects, ‘Your clients want automation, so why not let us give it to them?’ It ended up being a complete turn-off,” says Ron Wanless, owner of Technology Design Associates. “We found a statement such as, ‘We can take the experience you create for your clients and integrate it to make their life simpler and your design more spectacular,’ resonates much more positively with architects and designers.”

The last thing trades want to hear is, “Step aside, we’ve got this!” They want technology integrator partners who will work closely with them, educating them along the way so that they can continue to be trusted advisors to their clients. They’re not trying to be the tech expert, but they do need to have confidence in delivering information and integrity of their design work.

Monitor Your Mannerisms

You want your customers to feel comfortable around you — to perceive your firm as friendly and approachable, not overbearing and intimidating. Your audience should always feel that you will be open to hearing their ideas, concerns, and questions. Little things — like unfolding your arms, looking people in the eye, listening more than talking, and speaking clearly (no mumbling) — are subtle shifts that anyone can execute. Be aware of your volume, tone, and cadence (slow down), and take time to stop and ask your audience if they have any questions.

Physical positioning is also critical. Where you choose to sit during meetings, where you stand when you present to a group, and how you address the audience can impact how people perceive you and your company. “We make sure our clients sit at the head of the table, with direct access to the door,” Wanless says. “It gives them the sense of being the most important person in the room without feeling as though we’ve trapped them into a situation they can’t get out of.”

Jamie Briesemeister, CEO/sales & marketing director for Integration Controls, agrees. “There’s nothing more off-putting than to feel trapped in a room,” she says. “I feel very uncomfortable when seated with my back to the door, without easy access to an exit, or when people — men, especially — position themselves between me and the door.”

Stress Solutions Not Brands

The brands you carry mean a lot to you and the success of your business. Customers and trade partners, on the other hand, often really don’t care. “Shift the conversation away from individual product brands,” suggests Eric Thies, of DSI Luxury Technology. “An iPhone contains about 50 different manufacturer parts, but nobody cares what’s in it because Apple creates the total user experience. The brands we use are just ingredients to a big recipe. Therefore, I try to stress that the chef is more important than what brand of flour or salt is in the dish.”

As a trusted home tech advisor, discuss how your company offers complete solutions to relatable household demands — stronger Wi-Fi connections, an easier way to manage lights, high-quality home entertainment, improved heating and cooling efficiency and comfort, etc. Be ready to talk about all of this in plain-speak, but always with the experience in mind.

Finally, put your money where your mouth is. Customers gravitate to companies that exude confidence without coming off as cocky, so having a guarantee as part of your pitch never hurts. “We offer a Happiness Guarantee to new customers,” says Constantinos Sandoukas, owner and lead technician at frayednot. “We won’t accept the last 10 percent of the project payment unless the customer is 100 percent satisfied. It makes the customer more comfortable working with us.”

There’s a saying, “A rising tide raises all ships.” The more we all consider the above, the better our industry will appear to the trades and their clientele we seek.

Original article was posted here: https://www.residentialsystems.com/features/secrets-of-success/is-it-time-for-an-image-revamp

A 25+ veteran of the residential tech & AV integration industries, Katye McGregor Bennett is the CEO of KMB Communications, a boutique communications firm that anchors the intersection of technology + design by connecting brands, buyers, and prospective audiences through creating compelling content and conversation that elevates and amplifies. In addition to co-hosting Design Uncut with Veronika Miller, Katye hosts two popular podcasts, Connecting Tech+ Design and AV Trade Talk. She is a frequent contributor to Residential Systems and Connected Design publications. She is part of the DesignHounds influencer group and also serves on the NAHB Custom Technology Work Group, is a strategic advisor in the CEDIA, HTA, and AVIXA communities, a frequent contributor to Residential Systems, Connected Design and founder of the AV Yoga group.

Business During the Coronavirus: Focus on What Can Be Done

by | Mar 25, 2020 | Blog, PR & Communications Tips

Five things you can do to stay productive and sane.

Katye McGregor Bennett

Focus on what CAN be done at a time like this — when the world slows and all are in a similar position. Things that you never have time for, that get de-prioritized because other, more pressing issues take the lead. Here are five things you can do to stay sane:

#1 Opportunity: Buff up your website

  1. Get website updates and enhancements done. It’s not often we get the gift of lower website traffic around the globe. Take advantage of this by handling updates, enhancements, and make sure all plug-ins and security updates are done. Be sure you’re sharing data or access with only those who are deemed critical to your site’s operation.
  2. Look at the language and images your site uses. Is it up to date and using the same language, tone, and approach as you and your team? If not, update it. Ask your team what they’d suggest and, if you can, also as your closest clientele to share thoughts on how your brand presents itself to the outside world. Start a punch list and work from easiest to hardest so you don’t overwhelm yourself or those you’re asking for input.
  3. Take a look at SEO and how you might be able to attract new prospects or trades to your brand, start a list of keywords, phrases, and competitors you want to monitor closely. SEO MOZ offers a host of free tools and more if you want to pay: https://moz.com/free-seo-tools.

#2 Update your social media profiles

  1. Now’s a very, very good time to invest in a wholesale review of you and your company’s social media profiles and overall presence. Are your profiles, contact info, hashtags, URL, and related information still current? Are the images used for the Cover and Profile sections as high-quality and on-point as they should be and do they reflect you and your company’s current offering? Is the language being used appropriate, effective, and targeting your intended audience? Update passwords and initiate 2-step verification where it’s offered.
  2. Do a thorough review of who you follow and who follows you, and eliminate all that aren’t relevant to you, your company, or its offering. High follower counts do not equal a high-performing feed or following, period.
  3. Check other connections. Look at the platforms and who they or you are sharing your information with. If you don’t recognize any that you see, delete or disconnect them.

#3 Introduce yourself to “adjacent trades”

  1. “Adjacent trades” are those who you or your company may interact with on projects and would include architects, designers, specifiers, etc. Now is a great time to reach out to them with a brief introduction of your services and offering and ways you and your company could be beneficial to them in the future. Don’t pitch or sell, just share and seek a connection down the road.
  2. Offer to do a short 30-minute webinar for the adjacent trades or the contacts you’ve made within them, specifically. Give them the knowledge and resources they need to make you and your firm part of the future work and follow up in 30 days.
  3. If you’ve got an AIA or other course that offers CEUs, make that content available to them online, on-demand, etc.

#4 Start a genuine conversation and stay present

  1. As COVID-19 spreads and state and local mandates are evolving rapidly, people are understandably going a little crazy. Take 30 minutes every day to reach out to your team members, clientele, partners, and peers to see how they are, what they need, and how you might be able to help them. Send a text, an email, a DM, or just make a call. Just be genuine, no matter what you do.
  2. Share the services you and your company are able to provide during these times. Now, more than ever, people need strong internet, access to entertainment, and the ability to communicate with loved ones. Don’t be pitchy, but do let people know what’s possible, now. If you offer remote services to troubleshooting, support, etc., share how that works and consider making it free for all during this time. Be the resource your community needs, now.
  3. Find and share funny memes, sayings, etc., to introduce levity into people’s lives and give them something else to focus on. Make sure whatever you share is appropriate for your audience and if you happen to slip-up, be quick to delete (then move on, don’t hold onto that mental baggage).

#5 Take a break

  1. Turn off the TV and step away from your news sources for at least a few hours every day or for as long as you can stand it. Do NOT let the news be your day-long background noise or narrative.
  2. Bodies in motion stay in motion. Start or get back into a workout routine, just get your body in motion. Go for a walk, take the dog out, or just sit in the open air.
  3. Learn a new skill or take care of honey-do’s. YouTube is full of insightful, educational content and you’ll be amazed what you can learn in a day, hour, or even five minutes. Likewise, you undoubtedly have a list of things to get done around the house. Take the time to get those done and give yourself the gift of time, later.

Last but not least, just breathe. This too shall pass!

Original article was posted here: https://www.residentialsystems.com/blogs/business-during-the-coronavirus-focus-on-what-can-be-done

A 25+ veteran of the residential tech & AV integration industries, Katye McGregor Bennett is the CEO of KMB Communications, a boutique communications firm that anchors the intersection of technology + design by connecting brands, buyers, and prospective audiences through creating compelling content and conversation that elevates and amplifies. In addition to co-hosting Design Uncut with Veronika Miller, Katye hosts two popular podcasts, Connecting Tech+ Design and AV Trade Talk. She is a frequent contributor to Residential Systems and Connected Design publications. She is part of the DesignHounds influencer group and also serves on the NAHB Custom Technology Work Group, is a strategic advisor in the CEDIA, HTA, and AVIXA communities, a frequent contributor to Residential Systems, Connected Design and founder of the AV Yoga group.