Volume 6, Issue 8 — April 21, 2020

BuyersClub — Volume 6, Issue 8 — April 21, 2020

April 21, 2020 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 8

As we speak/write, I’m watching a livestream called #LeadingThroughChange, put on by SalesForce, about how global brands can help their teams “approach our new world.” The stream — now at about 63K live viewers on Twitter (but, surprisingly, only about 350 live viewers on LinkedIn) — has now featured a few talking heads, like BT Group’s chief executive in the UK. It has also included some musical numbers (currently, it’s Chrissie Hynde, lead singer of the Pretenders). Unfortunately, all the musical segments in the stream have created some “slight technical issues,” and I just heard some sirens in the background of Chrissie Hynde’s video. I had to chuckle a little at both this and Johnny Mota’s tweet about it.

These things can be awkward and uncomfortable. And listen, we know not everything digital (like this livestream) is going to run perfectly without any technical issues at all. We’re just human, trying to figure this all out together. We need to be okay with this imperfection and be forgiving. BUT, at the same time, this is what the AV industry specializes in — helping people get it right the first time. If you’re a technical person with some expertise (presumably, since you’re reading this), you might know a few people or organizations who could use a hand right now. Why not take a beat to check in with them to offer a couple hours of your time to help? Of course, we suggest you please be mindful of the current rules when you do that — stay-at-home orders, social distancing and all.

This week’s AV Buyers.Club is a thick one: with three great columns; not three, not four, but twenty-five links for you to check out under product news; and more than a few industry-news updates, including three JUST on AV industry mergers/acquisitions. Lastly, rAVe is proud to reveal its list of manufacturer partners helping to make LAVNCH WEEK a reality; you can see those partners here. #LAVNCHweek starts April 27, with a day specifically for end users on Friday, May 1 — the day you may be particularly interested in. Don’t be the one who waits to register; spots are limited: rave.pub/LAVNCHweek.

See you online.

— Leah McCann

COLUMNS

+ Flipping Training — Ideas for Better Adoption [Mark Coxon]

The largest barrier to ROI is adoption of the technology we install. People learn to use it in the simplest way possible or after a few attempts, throw up their hands and lean on IT or bypass it altogether. As AV providers, we hold large training with the users that will be operating the system. We give them laminated handouts, cheat sheets and screenshots. Then we show them how to use everything by grabbing the controls and pressing buttons to demonstrate the amazing capabilities of what they just bought. Perhaps there is a deeper training with their technical staff as a supplementary support option or perhaps the laminated cheat sheet in the room is the only real-time “tech support.”

+ #AVgood Will Keep Us Together [Steph Beckett]

It’s OK to be scared. It’s OK not to know what to do next. It’s OK to need a break from the bad news. That’s kind of why I’m here. I’ve been asking around about how you and your companies are doing #AVgood during the COVID-19 pandemic — and so many of you have responded with things that you or your companies are doing to make the world a better place.

+ What to Do During the COVID-19 Crisis [Scott Tiner]

2020 will long be remembered as the year that the world changed. We are living through times that are unprecedented and hopefully, will not be experienced again for a very long time. As all of us adjust to this new reality that likely includes becoming a remote worker (and in many cases a home teacher), we will begin to long for some normalcy. Over these next few weeks, we may find that we have the opportunity to do the things we always wanted to, but never had the time. I have put together some thoughts about how to spend some of that time. Whether we are in a period of robust growth or a recession, there is never a bad time for education. Our industry is responding with a variety of training opportunities that range in cost (including some that are free) and flexibility.