AU #311: Navigating Uncertainty: Expert Strategies to Stay Agile and Grow in a Shifting CI Industry
This is Automation Unplugged, I’m Ron Callis. Today, we’re bringing you a panel we hosted live on May 15, 2025, titled “Navigating Uncertainty: An Open Forum for Dealers on the State of the Industry.” The first half of 2025 has been a period characterized by economic fluctuations and volatility. In times of rising hardware costs, lengthening lead times, softer homeowner demand, and margin pressure, it’s more important than ever to stay informed, agile, and connected. That’s why we convened eight seasoned industry & business experts across finance, marketing, service, hiring, design, and operations for an unfiltered discussion and live Q&A about how to navigate uncertain times.
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Show Notes
SHOW NOTES
You’ll hear from:
- Myself — Ron Callis, CEO of One Firefly
- Matt Bernath, President of VITAL, LLC
- Joseph Kolchinsky, CEO of OneVision Resources
- David Warfel, Founding Designer of Light Can Help You
- Mark Langston, Partner & Chief Lighting Advisor of Light Can Help You
- Jason Sayen, Founder of I Am Sayen
- Josh Christian, CEO of Home Technology Association
- Paul Starkey, Co-Founder & Partner of PrepTECH
- And Rebecca Sternlicht, Corporate Marketing Lead at One Firefly, panel moderator
The panel fielded topics that were submitted in advance by the registered webinar attendees. They included:
- Tariff impacts on pricing & how to monitor key financial metrics, structure surcharges or locks, and proactively communicate value to clients
- Expert tips on diversifying growth paths through forging trade-partner relationships, expanding into lighting & shading, and building service-based revenue streams
- How to practice operational resilience with change-order workflows, weekly project huddles, and standard processes to handle pricing changes due to tariffs
- And how to feed your growth during tough times by staying active on multiple marketing channels and leveraging manufacturer funds and collaborations.
Visit the episode page on our website to get the audio recording, show transcript, and full video. Now let’s dive in and learn how to tackle today’s economic headwinds.
About One Firefly
One Firefly, LLC is an award-winning marketing agency that caters to technology professionals in the custom integration, security and solar energy markets. One Firefly is headquartered in Davie, Florida with staff located throughout North America and has been operating since 2007.