Navigating the shifting tides of the lighting industry is no small feat, and as I peer into the rearview mirror of the past year, I'm struck by our collective resilience. Even as we missed the zenith of success from previous years, there's a spark of optimism for what 2024 holds, despite the perplexing economic signals and the shadow of an election year. In a candid sharing of my journey, I unravel the knots of undergoing a major software transition in my showroom, a process that has been both draining and invigorating. And as the possibility of rekindling our podcast in February 2024 hangs in the balance, the vitality of our community's input has never been clearer. Your voices fuel this space, and it's this very interconnection that illuminates the path ahead for our industry.The conversation then pivots to the undercurrents of challenge that lighting showroom retailers confront daily. The narrative weaves through the undervaluation of our specialized knowledge, shrinking margins, and the fading of sales tools that were once our mainstay. I dissect the evolving dynamics between manufacturers and showrooms, advocating for 'to the trade certified' partnerships to rejuvenate our sector. With each insight and reflection shared, the episode becomes a call to arms for transparency and alliance. We're not just selling lights; we're safeguarding our expertise and fortifying partnerships that respect the depth of our work. Join me as we illuminate the intricacies of our trade and champion the reciprocal relationships essential for the lighting industry's prosperity.Thank you to Lights America for sponsoring this episode of Lighting with Lisa!  Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

If you noticed there was no LWL episode last week, it is because I was mid-implementation of NetSuite with not an ounce of energy to spare. Listen now for an update on our process PLUS a great listener tip that I elaborate on to drive add-on services (and a much needed margin boost and competitive advantage) for your showroom. What add-ons does your showroom provide? Let me know! Thank you to Zastro for sponsoring this episode of Lighting with Lisa!Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

Are you weary of cookie-cutter content and impersonal posts that are plaguing your social media experience? Do you feel like the lighting industry is lagging behind in effectively harnessing social media's full potential? Yeah, I am too. So heading into 2024, let's rethink our approach, identify our end goals, and shake things up a bit to tap into the enormous potential of this digital platform. As an additional challenge : DM me or comment below and tag an account who is doing a great job with their social media content so we can all #beinspired.Thank you to Lights America for sponsoring this episode of Lighting with Lisa!  Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

It's time once again to plan your holiday gifts for your best customers and staff too. This year, let's challenge the autopilot mode most of us fall into during the holiday season, and let's question if our annual gifts to clients and employees are truly expressing our sentiments of appreciation and thanks. This episode promises to provide a fresh perspective on how to make meaningful decisions that resonate with your clients and team members, and to help make everyone's holiday just a little brighter. What about custom, uniques gift baskets for top-tier customers; and what are the pros and cons of pre-packaged versus personally crafted gifts? The most significant impact of any holiday gesture is one of togetherness and camaraderie. This episode is brimming with holiday insights and inspiration that can positively impact your business relationships into 2024.Thank you to Zastro for sponsoring this episode of Lighting with Lisa!  Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

Facing challenges in your business? A storm of one's own making or something external? Me too. I'm opening up in this episode about my recent work life (and complete lack of balance) in an effort to make us all feel a little less alone. Sharing is indeed caring. Also, it's vital we talk about our individual as well as industry-wide challenges in a non-confrontational and positive manner – it's our key to understanding and long-term success. Come along on this journey with me as I candidly discuss industry issues, personal struggles, and finding that elusive balance.Thank you to Lights America for sponsoring this episode of Lighting with Lisa!  Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

When was the last time you were a customer in your own business? Not as an expert in what you do but as a true never-before-visited customer?  This episode talks it through and highlights the importance of excellent service and how our immersion in the professional sphere can often lead to a disconnect with the consumer's experience. Can you pinpoint areas ready for improvement; and is it maybe something you wouldn't expect?  Listen in as we evaluate our own experiences as customers, using those insights to rethink our businesses.Thank you to Zastro for sponsoring this episode of Lighting with Lisa!  Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

Brace yourself, as we're about to set off on an electrifying journey, illuminating the intricacies of boosting margins in the lighting industry. We'll unearth how market changes disrupted traditional pricing structures, causing a 'margin squeeze' for conventional showrooms, coupled with other industry-wide changes to the distribution landscape. But don't worry, our conversation extends to how to keep your business glowing, with many suggestions and thoughtful strategies that will help you stay competitive and profitable in your brick and mortar showroom business.  Have a great tip to share? Email me!Thank you to Fanimation for sponsoring this episode of Lighting with Lisa: the Lighting Industry's Podcast.Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

Today's episode highlights the challenges and potential solutions for training sales staff in the toughest category we face : lighting & fan technical expertise.  We explore the importance of effective training, discussing the balance between overwhelming information and insufficient training and how we can optimize this for maximum effectiveness.The episode takes a deep look at the difficulties of training salespeople in specialty businesses like showrooms. It's a delicate balancing act of providing enough information without drowning the trainees. I share some strategies to better position your sales team to provide expert advice and how to equip them with the right resources. As we navigate the challenges, we'll also talk about the importance of staff feeling confident enough to engage customers with new or challenging topics, thereby maintaining trust and providing a superior customer experience. Many thanks to this week's sponsor Lights America for their unwavering support of Lighting with Lisa and the entire lighting industry.  Be sure to listen to the episode for their special offer for new and existing customers! Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

Are you poised to revolutionize your lighting showroom with the power of data and robust ERP systems?  We'll delve into the data consistency, examining its need to keep up with the ever-evolving industry standards. Information overload or the lack thereof can be an issue, but what if you had an abundance of searchable and sortable data at your fingertips? What would productivity gains mean to you and your staff? And how do we even quantify our losses due to bad data? The opportunities for improvement are many -- what steps is your showroom taking to update your procedures and deal with your data infrastructure?This week's episode is sponsored by Zastro. Be sure to listen for their exclusive offer for LWL listeners! For more on Zastro and their illumiNet solution, visit: https://zastro.com/illuminet. To set up a demo, please email Heather Mestad.Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

Do you struggle with navigating Saturday staffing and hours for your lighting showroom? Dive into the evolution of my own lighting showroom and our journey with Saturday hours. We'll also delve into the challenges and rewards that come with managing a showroom in the residential lighting & fan industry. From the strategic decisions that led to my merchandising changes to the ever-evolving landscape of staff engagement, there is always something new to learn.Are you aware of the numerous networking platforms available for those in the lighting industry? I'll introduce you to invaluable resources like the Fixture Finder group, the Residential Lighting Industry Job Board, and even our LWL Lighting Showrooms group, all on Facebook. These platforms offer a wealth of knowledge and connections to enhance your growth in the industry. Here are the links, please join us!Fixture FinderLighting JobsLWL - Lighting ShowroomsFixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

As the Lighting Showroom Association chapter draws to a close, there is much to celebrate. We've had an enriching six-year journey, creating a legacy with our interactive 3D model and augmented reality program, which is set to expand even further in the coming months. We've built this unique platform thanks to countless members and volunteers, and as we close one chapter, we look forward to our future endeavors. This episode gives you an insider view of our industry's shifting landscape, marking the achievements and milestones we've made along the way.As the Light Files podcast re-launches under the new branding, I'm thrilled to welcome you to a community centered around positivity, idea-sharing, and mutual growth. Picture a space where all things related to the residential lighting industry are up for discussion, from illuminating interviews to bright ideas. Our goal is to cultivate a constructive, positive environment through this podcast, a new private Facebook group, and more to come. So gear up and join this enlightening journey, where every question, suggestion, and innovative thought is welcomed and appreciated. Stay tuned! Let's shine a light on our industry together!Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

A quick Lightovation recap + an extended discussion of the things I learned in the panel discussion for lighting showrooms on how to sell to the design trade. And I'm pleased to announce it was very informative and encouraging! Season One of the Light Files podcast has reached its conclusion -- please share with me your feedback and thoughts for what comes next!  Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

There has been a lot of chatter in our podcast community this past week, focused a lot on sales channels, margins, and our dreaded "race to the bottom" in pricing policies.  I've also been asked several times about the general state of sales in our industry for 2023.  In this episode, I piece together as much information as I can on all of the above and share the heartfelt showroom perspective of the current state of our lighting industry as best as I see it. A quick programming note: Light Files will be off until after June Lightovation, but stay tuned as I will be back with a market recap episode and will resume our bi-weekly podcast schedule post-market. Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

I wanted to take an episode to talk about a big positive and a ongoing negative in our lighting + fan industry.  I won't spoil the peach/pit (or rose/thorn if you prefer) here, so take a listen, share with a colleague and let me know if you agree with my assessment or not.  And if you don't -- what is your peach/pit for our industry?  Where am I getting it wrong?  Can't wait to hear your thoughts! Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

Being an entrepreneur isn't for the faint of heart, as y'all well know, and there are definite moments of stress, worry, and fear that can paralyze you and your business. What do you do when you feel your business is ready to add on a new revenue stream but you don't want to jeopardize your ongoing work? How do you push yourself to step forward when the fear to stay where you are is so powerful? And can you ever generate really long term success if you just stay stuck where you are? I've found myself at a professional crossroads over the past several weeks, and this episode covers my thoughts and realization that at some point, one just has to do their research and make the best possible decision -- that staying "stuck" doesn't benefit anyone in the long run. Let me know when you've been in this position and what you did to get "un-stuck."Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

This episode is another "grab bag" of various topics -- from technology to improve shopping experiences, an ill conceived New York magazine article on LEDs, and a service that makes it easy for designers to have access to all kinds of brands -- I review all of the latest odds and ends that have been on my list to discuss.  Be sure to share your thoughts and tell a friend about the podcast!Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

We all make them and so often they seem innocuous. But assumptions are a silent killer to the forward momentum of any business or industry. Bits of information shared by even the most trusted colleagues are often lacking key details. But we often take these things as fact -- and we are all guilty of it. Let's a take a moment to consider the assumptions we make in our industry and why or why they aren't helpful to us. And what happens when the idea we are making assumptions about is new without any previous comparable context? What good or harm does that do us all? Running a business has so many challenges, and I wanted to take a moment to encourage all of us to perhaps learn more and assume less and see how that might actually help all of us grow and become more successful.Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

Let's face it, finding great help for the sales positions at your lighting showroom is a tough task. In this episode, I talk through some of the challenges and tips for hiring a great staff member and how to get them on board and working successfully for your business and with your team. Have a favorite hiring tip? Be sure to send me a note/leave a comment and I'll share it on a future episode of the podcast.Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

The Light Files has made it to episode 100! That's nearly two years of podcasting, and I can hardly believe it. This super-sized episode is a discussion of how we got here and where we are going now -- as a podcast, as the LSA, and the lighting industry as whole. There's a lot to discuss here, and while I review the many hurdles in our path, there's also light ahead and ways we can all grow and succeed together. Thank you for 100 episodes and I look forward to 100 more!Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa

A few news items have come out recently that indicate shifting trends in how the lighting industry might operate in the not too distant future. I recap these news items and discuss small ways that our industry has been shifting in the past few years, right under our noses, and with almost no one noticing. I close with a discussion of consumer expectations in 2023 and how these shifts in our industry might be playing right into the needs of homeowners directly rather than the showroom distribution channel.  What other changes are you noticing in our industry?Fixture FinderLighting JobsEmail Lisa