The Importance of Knowing Work-in-Progress Metrics in Integration Projects

Tom CoffinsmartPRENEUR Blog Series

For Systems Integrators, the ability to track and understand work-in-progress (WIP) metrics is crucial for success. Integration projects involve combining disparate systems, data, and processes into a a single deliverable. This presents unique challenges and complexities.  Visability Understanding WIP metrics provides project stakeholders with visibility into the progress of various tasks and activities within the project. This fosters accountability and ...

We Improve What We Measure: What Are Your Top 5 KPI’s?

Tom CoffinsmartPRENEUR Blog Series

Businesses must leverage strategic measurements to enhance their performance and drive growth. Strategic decision-making is essential for growth and sustainability. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) act as guiding beacons, offering valuable insights that enable businesses to measure progress, identify areas for improvement, and drive success. By focusing on specific metrics, companies can make informed decisions, optimize processes, and ultimately elevate their position ...

Reflecting on the Year: Crafting a Strategic Plan for Business Success in the Coming Year

Tom CoffinsmartPRENEUR Blog Series

As we approach the end of another year, it's the perfect time to reflect on our business journey and set our sights on the opportunities that lie ahead. As you ponder your plan for the next year, consider these three key ideas to elevate your business to new heights: Embrace Digital Transformation: In an ever-evolving digital landscape, businesses must not ...

Mastering Year-End Inventory Counts

Tom CoffinsmartPRENEUR Blog Series

As the year draws to a close, are you prepared to embark on the crucial task of conducting a year-end inventory count. This annual process involves meticulously assessing and documenting all items within your company's inventory. The importance of a thorough year-end inventory count cannot be overstated, as it provides a reliable foundation for strategic decision-making, financial accuracy, and operational ...

Does your business need an operating system?

Tom CoffinsmartPRENEUR Blog Series

Like the CI business, in your business change is the only constant. Companies must continuously evolve and adapt to stay competitive. To succeed in this ever-shifting landscape, having a well-defined business operating system and efficient workflow processes is nothing short of essential. In my experience working with thousands of companies the last 20 years, process and an effective business operating ...

Are You Set Up To Service?

Tom CoffinsmartPRENEUR Blog Series

The Aging Smart Home As the smart home market matures, more and more homeowners are looking for help with maintenance, service, and troubleshooting of their smart home systems. This presents an opportunity for Systems Integrators to expand their services and offer profitable smart home services to their clients. However, putting in place a profitable service department for the smart home ...

Are you managing time or is time managing you?

Tom CoffinsmartPRENEUR Blog Series

“Take care of the minutes and the hours will take care of themselves” Lord Chesterfield British statesman, diplomat, a man of letters, and an acclaimed wit of his time PRODUCT The systems integration business is unique in many ways. However it has commonality with virtually every other business that sells products that need to be installed. You as the business ...
Marc Bally

Meet the Faculty: Marc Bally

Tom CoffinsmartPRENEUR Blog Series

Marc is the founder and President of Rise Marketing Company. With a background in engineering, Marc's approach to business and marketing is more analytical, building on the facts and bringing solutions to the process. With over 30 years’ experience at starting and building up companies both small and large in the Audio/Video/Security space, Marc brings a wealth of real-world knowledge to the ...
Roberta Lewis

Meet the Faculty: Roberta Lewis

Tom CoffinsmartPRENEUR Blog Series

Roberta Lewis is an industry veteran with 40 years of successful consumer electronics retailing and professional A/V sales, Internet marketing, manufacturing sales and public relations, marketing, and communications. Roberta Lewis & Associates, LLC was founded in 2005 to support the broad range of electronics and technology businesses with public relations, marketing, and CE centric strategic sales consultancy. She recently received three prestigious industry awards, ...