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 bot...
Dec 28, 2023
41 min
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 Finder Lighting Jobs Email Lisa
Dec 12, 2023
34 min
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 wi...
Nov 28, 2023
36 min
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...
Nov 21, 2023
34 min
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 candidl...
Nov 14, 2023
36 min
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 cust...
Nov 7, 2023
36 min
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 sta...
Oct 31, 2023
37 min
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...
Oct 24, 2023
33 min
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 fo...
Oct 17, 2023
30 min
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 n...
Oct 10, 2023
28 min
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