How Your Business is Like a Rock Band

This by Barry Scovel, WELD2 one of our founding partners

“Check out Guitar George, he knows all the chords”….or how an integration company is like a really good band!

The great line is from the mind of Mark Knopfler, the frontman for ‘80’s arena filling band, Dire Straits. The song, of course, Sultans of Swing, played still every day on AOR radio stations, or whatever they call them today. The next line says “Mind he’s strictly rhythm, he doesn’t want to make it cry or sing”. So don’t show off, unless you need to.

Another great still around, Eric Clapton, put an album out in the early ‘90’s, Journeyman.. He spoke about being a journeyman. One who does a competent job, because that is what they do. That is what you do, yes?

Both of these famous front men could not have done what they do without a great band behind and beside them.

It is a bit like an integration company (about time I got to the point). The competent work that goes on every day in companies across the earth, doing the really important work of networks, surveillance, and security, that also blends in creature comforts of audio, video and automation, is much like a band on tour.

Get a tour manager
Load in
Set up the equipment
Do the show
Backstage tour, meet and greet
Get a check
Hope the reviewer liked the show
Move on to the next gig

As the owner or project manager, you can’t do it alone. Even if you're substantially a one person operation, you assemble a team to fill the roles required for each project. A one man show just has to wear more hats.

The roadies, runners and musicians make it all happen. In integration the sales team, install team, and “paper handlers” complete the job for maximum profitability and customer satisfaction.

As with any great band, good ones watch and learn from others. In our case it is the reps, trade mags and organizations like CEDIA among others, distributors, product trainings and a myriad of other resources out there. Heck, you can even learn plenty from friendly competitors. They all make us better so we can make it “cry and sing”.

Treat your band mates well, practice so you don’t have an off night, and always thank your adoring crowd for the admittedly hard work you do every day.

A Question - There's a question below. Answer it correctly, we will send you F.R.E.E, no obligation, our latest content on Surveillance systems (mostly aimed at profitably upgrading your analog and early system customers) on how you as an integrator can make their system 21st century worthy, and sales tips on how to garner additional business and create better systems. All you'll have to do is cut , copy and paste. You can use it how you like.

Our suggestion: Send it on to a few customers and see what happens. You may get some new work!

What guitar did Jimmy Page play on the solo to “Stairway to Heaven?” You gear heads out there, a quick hint..It was not a Les Paul.

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Keep the Rubber Side Down and the Logo Side Up,

Barry, Frank & the Stieg