May is here and many state legislatures will adjourn for the year, and the CEDIA Government Affairs department can take a moment to catch our breath.

Another year has flown by, and 2015 is around the corner.

As we all look back on the ups and downs of 2014, take a moment to discover – or rediscover – the stories that most captured CEDIA blog readers’ attention in the past 12 months.

There is one trait among home technology professionals that will stand the test of time – no matter how much the technology evolves and changes.

Passion.

Starting today, November 17, it’s time to renew your CEDIA membership for 2015. Many CEDIA members do not hesitate to cut a renewal check each year – they simply see it as a cost of doing business.

But if you’re on the fence, take a moment to consider the membership benefits you may not be taking advantage of.

It never seems to amaze me some of the decisions business owners make every day. What ever happened to common sense?

Whether you’re a business owner, a manager, or still an aspiring leader, following the principles of good leadership can be a boon to anyone’s career.

In the home technology industry, the more seriously you take your position as a leader, the more likely you are to build strong relationships with colleagues and clients and contribute to the strength of your workforce and your business.

Hats off to this year’s winners in the annual CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles® Awards competition!

Saturday night’s Electronic Lifestyles® Awards Celebration at CEDIA EXPO 2014 honored dozens of CEDIA member companies and individuals for their outstanding work in the industry. 

We need to talk about your website.

(If you just said “what website?”, you’ll want to keep reading too.)

Twenty years ago, CEDIA EXPO 1994 took on the theme of “Play to Win.” The fifth annual show drew a then-record crowd of 3,044 to interact with 158 exhibitors at the Dallas Infomart.

Grow your client base and stay connected with previous clients by being friendly, giving follow up calls, and sending out holiday cards.

Giving a great presentation comes down to activating your audience through body language, images, and speaking skills, plus giving people your undivided attention, even if you are the one speaking.

Networking is crucial for any company's success. If you want to find customers, you'll need more than just an ad in the phone book. You will need to go out and find customers.

Too often, conflicts arise during residential construction projects between contractors such as home technology installers, interior designers, electricians, architects, builders, and remodelers. The solution to eliminate these conflicts could be as simple as allowing one person to be the leader. Here’s one architect’s perspective on who should be the leader, and why.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve somehow held both great interest in, and simultaneously, revulsion for, politics.

As a seven-year CEDIA staff member, I am pleased to have recently taken on a new and exciting role in encouraging and promoting the professionalism and advancement of the residential technology industry.

Assuming responsibility for the operation of the CEDIA Education Foundation is an honor as it commemorates the legacy of an industry icon, past CEDIA Chairman Randy Vaughan.

Hey you, sitting in front of your computer screen or eyes on your phone – you’re great! Really! You do awesome work, we’re proud of you, and the industry is lucky to have you.

We all know how good it feels to get compliments. And not just the generic ones, but real compliments about your work – or dare we say your passions. Those types of compliments speak volumes. And who does not love a little encouragement now and then?

It’s no secret that members of the #CEDIATweeps Team get a pretty sweet deal in exchange for their social media prowess.

CEDIA staff members Dave Chic and Peggy Ward recently met with representatives from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) to develop 2014-2015 collaborative networking and education opportunities for both associations' members.

Chic and Ward met with NARI Executive Vice-President Mary Bewsey Harris and NARI volunteer Chris Wright, CR President, WrightWorks LLC and President, Central Indiana.

For owners of any housing-related business, the ability to generate leads always has been, and always will be, a critical component of success.

Many business owners employ the same basic lead-generating tactics such as direct mail, jobsite signs, email blasts, newsletters, door hangers, “get a quote” buttons on their websites, radio ads, and many more like this. Much of it becomes background noise to the busy lives of homeowners. 

To stand out from the crowd and generate fresh leads from a different corner of the prospect pool, try these not-so-ordinary lead-generation techniques.

For both homebuilders and remodelers, success heavily depends upon referrals from satisfied customers. And as a home technology professional, your business benefits from referrals by satisfied builders and remodelers.

This means that it is in your best interest to contribute to your trade partners’ success by doing your part to ensure customer satisfaction.