Greg Raphael

@AV_JamesKing @TheAVNetworkGuy @chris_neto Pretty sure that ship has sailed. MS is in the software & services business. 3rd party hardware is someone else’s problem. Except for specialty spaces MS has eliminated complexity from majority of their solutions. #AVinTheAM

@TheAVNetworkGuy @chris_neto How soon until you see these giants eat up the smaller AV company. For a crazy out of the box example MS buying Crestron and we are installing MS black boxes? #AVintheAM #AskTheProgrammer

#AskTheProgrammer asks Q1: With an increased presence of software giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Zoom attending AV tradeshows, will we see a greater shift to non-proprietary, software-defined AV or will our industry continue to be a walled-garden of black boxes? #AVintheAM

@chris_neto Programming is mostly logic & syntax, the best #AVTweeps I worked with thought in code to solve problems. GUI design is a mix of art & science. We’re already seeing AI do both, natively. Definitely 2 very different areas of expertise. AV experience not required #AVinTheAM

#AskTheProgrammer asks Q5: Does a successful AV programmer come from a background in AV and learn programming or do they come from a background in software development and learn AV? Why? What are the pros/cons of developing "homegrown" talent vs poaching? #AVintheAM

@chris_neto The software giants bring a consistent UX across desktops, mobile & room solutions. It’s not about the cool toys and look what we can do. AV provides tools to communicate & collaborate, tech is secondary and needs to work consistently, it is the experience #AVinTheAM

@chris_neto OFE is a four letter work. My favorite was the OFE rack in an executive board room. Client saves $500 and integrator spends thousands extra to build onsite. Never a good idea. #AVinTheAM

Q4 Owner Furnished Equipment (OFE), many times, serves as a "MacGuffin" of a project. What is your "most interesting" OFE request to be integrated into a design? Ever integrate "vintage" gear into a modern design? Have any problem-solving widgets for these instances? #AVInTheAM

@chris_neto Last rear projection I worked on was 2015 during a digital upgrade. Original build was about 10 years prior. Might still be in use but assume someone built a wall and put up a 86” LCD panel by now. #AVinTheAM

Q5 Out of curiosity: Do you still see rear projection being used in conference rooms? What are your thoughts on transparent screens used on glass conference rooms, form/function/other/TBD? What tech has or is disappearing in conf. rooms over the past 5 years? #AVinTheAm

@chris_neto Only one essential tool for AV #AVTweeps #AVinTheAM

Q4 What are the 5 most essential tools/equipment that every AV technician should be most familiar with and why? Has software overtaken old-school tools in the traditional tools Top 5? If so, which? #AVinTHEAM

Confession time: we’ve been hiding something. 🤐 And now, with our friends at @Steelcase, we’re almost ready to reveal our little secret. We want you to be there when we do. See you in Barcelona. #ISE2023 @ISE_Show eventbrite.com/e/new-concept-…

Learn more about how the unique curved shape of Ocular Table creates a more inclusive and collaborative hybrid experience. #hybridwork #interiordesign #workplacedesign #design steelcase.com/research/artic…

@chris_neto Congratulations @chris_neto & #AVinTheAM #AVTweeps. Great way to get down & dirty talking AV. No matter where I am, Sunday morning, coffee in hand, it’s my time to listen & learn. Sometimes comment. Appreciate fresh perspective from all & global participants. Thank you

5 years & counting! Thank you to all for your support & dedication. Your die-hard enthusiasm & amazing engagement has made this journey an unforgettable one. Here's to many more years! Thank you for everything 🙏 "We" are #AVintheAM 🙌 #AVtweeps #anniversary #gratitude

With the acquisition, @ExertisAlmo customers can access dedicated experts, while Caddrillion customers can leverage financial resources and #supplychain logistics. #avtweeps ow.ly/riJV50M2ery

Wanted to let the #AVTweeps know that I am looking for a full time position, ideally in objectively testing UC and AV products and services. Any help and amplification would be greatly appreciated. #AVintheAM @NJDavidD @chris_neto @JosiahWay @EvanKirstel

@chris_neto Thanks, Chris. #proav #AVTweeps see you on the other side linkedin.com/in/gregoryraph…

If you are posting your #LinkedIn profile today, I'm going to help amplifying it. Kind of like a #FollowFriday, Let's help build out your network 😊 #proav #AVtweeps #audiovisual #fridaymorning linkedin.com/in/christopher…

@birneyconsult @chris_neto Excellent plan, see you in the metaverse. Going to need #avtweeps to support all those virtual performance spaces, meetings and conventions. If major AV manufacturers can stop shipping hardware & go virtual, why not all of us? What can go wrong? #AVinTheAM

Q5 Are there “recession proof” parts of the AV industry that firms could focus on? If so, how do firms make the transition to mostly these activities? How are you "Recession Proofing" your career? How about at home what are some helpful "smart" ideas to prepare & save? #AVInTheAM

@chris_neto @avlaborcorp @Iffsi #AVtweeps not all in agreement on this. AV industry depends on commercial real estate, business, schools, you know, workplaces. Instead of saying no longer necessary, we can all work remote. How about asking how we make workplaces better using technology? #AVinTheAM

@avlaborcorp @Iffsi 100% agree with @avlaborcorp. Which means that AV may feel it come Q1 2023. I'm not an economic expert but I stay vigilant of whats happening in adjacent industries that impact our own such as Travel, facilities, construction, office furniture, etc. #AvintheaM

Q1 Many economy experts are predicting a recession is coming. Big tech has laid off a lot of workers. What do you do as an individual to prepare to weather the storm? What advice do you have for folks to make themselves indispensable? (If that's even possible) #AVInTheAM

@chris_neto Does making the most experienced technician a manager work? Usually not, best managers will walk in techs shoes. Have active interest & fully understand roles, success criteria & potential. Embrace, don’t fear better than you promotes growth of all. #AVinTheAM

Q2 Can AV technicians be effectively managed by a person who does not possess their technical skill or experience? What are the +/- of people in AV being managed by people with similar experience? Is Sales the only exception or is their another? #AVinTheAM

@chris_neto Take @stevegreenblatt Understanding Personality Types class. Correctly match knowledge & talent to skills. Does an engineer sell or salesperson program? Building a band or an av team, put the voices in the right section, watch ‘em make beautiful music together. #AVinTheAM

Q1 Is there a uniqueness to managing PEOPLE in AV? What are some of the top skills needed to be a great AV people manager? What are some bad (people management) practices that you've witnessed/or heard of in AV? How can they be corrected? #AVInTheAM

@chris_neto One main difference is clients. Commercial other than hospitality is a business with a weekday schedule with set T&Cs. Resi is personal, someone’s house with personal things in closets, attics, basements, not public spaces. Hours, nights & weekends for key activities. #AVinTheAM

Q3 What are the main differences between a resi integrator and a commercial integrator. Not sure we ever defined it. Where do the lines begin to blur in the job description? Have the last 3 years forced an evolution? Was this bound to happen at some point? #AVintheAm

Ricoh USA Inc. has acquired @CeneroAV to further unleash the power of hybrid work experiences with innovative #AV, #UC and #ITsolutions. Improving comms & driving productivity translates into better business agility for enterprises. Stay tuned for more! bit.ly/3qDmE43

@chris_neto Follow the golden rule and invoke the no asshole rule. Work with people you like & like you. Find your motivation, earn respect, get results. Building a team to build AV is hard work. #AVinTheAM #avtweeps #hiring

Q3 I'm often asked "How to best deal with "team" issues". What advice do you have for folks who do not work well together. When is the right time for mediation w/mgmt? Should you document issues? Would you say this is a top 5 reason people leave? Solution ideas #AVintheAM