1NSIGHTS Podcast

Most integrators know CEDIA as the organization behind the trade show. That's only part of what it does.In this episode of 1NSIGHTS, Jason Griffing sits down with Daryl Friedman, Global President & CEO of CEDIA, for a look at what the organization is actually investing in this year. That includes a push to get "integrator" formally recognized as an occupation, with real stakes around insurance rates, workforce pipelines, and credibility with technical colleges. It also includes a new design-build outreach effort connecting integrators directly to architects and designers, and a research initiative aiming to produce the most credible size-and-scope data the industry has ever had.Listen and you'll learn:What official occupational recognition could mean for insurance, apprenticeships, and how the industry is seen from the outsideHow CEDIA's new design-build outreach is working to connect integrators with architects and designers What CEDIA's new research division is measuring, and the methodology behind it What's changing on the education side of CEDIA Expo this yearWatch the video recording here:https://youtu.be/R6NJn10pC24?si=_VZn7gmgu13zWf7R 

If you're a custom integrator, or you're already weighing where to spend your trade show budget in 2027, RESIDE is about to become a decision you have to make.In this episode of 1NSIGHTS, Jason Griffing sits down with Tom Doherty, Director of New Technology Initiatives at HTSA, Jim Pearse, CEO of ProSource, and Jenn Heinold, SVP of Expositions-Americas at AVIXA, for a candid look at RESIDE, the new residential trade show launching alongside Lightapalooza and InfoComm at the Orange County Convention Center. One badge gets you into all three. No walking between separate buildings or booking separate trips.Listen and you'll learn:What one badge and one continuous show floor actually means for integrators who work across resi and commercialThe real distinction between RESIDE and CEDIA Expo, straight from the people building itWhy Lightapalooza's education helped integrators justify new service lines and revenue, and how that model is scaling into RESIDEHow the organizers are putting a premium on industry education by integrators for integratorsWatch the video recording here:https://youtu.be/HlcmMiqifFs?si=HfzUcy9z9OPQZW8S 

Most integrators can point to at least one deal they should have closed. The work was strong, the relationship was there… but the proposal went quiet.In this episode of 1NSIGHTS, Jason Griffing sits down with Patrick Martinez, CEO and Founder of Fivestone Solutions, for a candid conversation about what separates integrators who close consistently from those stuck in a cycle of proposals, silence, and guesswork. Listen and you'll learn:How to identify and qualify high-value prospects — before they drain your timeA repeatable framework for closing proposals and handling hesitation without pressureThe six sales metrics that actually predict results (and why revenue isn't one of them)Why most sales problems are process problems, not personality problemsWatch the video recording here:https://youtu.be/E90-_ahxCSM?si=YLRcnVfw7_ZHb651 

Why do so many integrators feel stuck, even when demand is strong?Not because the work is complex — that’s expected — but because most operators are solving the same problems in isolation, convinced their challenges are unique.In this episode of 1NSIGHTS, Jason Griffing is joined by Patrick McCarthy, Executive Director of Azione Unlimited, to unpack what’s really happening inside the industry; from the pressure operators feel as accidental business owners to the lack of clear playbooks for scaling.Listen and you'll learn:Why integrators often feel isolated, even when surrounded by peersWhat the best operators do differently when it comes to growth and decision-makingHow sales, process, and recurring revenue actually connect (and where most overcomplicate)Why community and shared insight are becoming a competitive advantageWatch the video recording here:https://youtu.be/t1KR7nBC79A?si=kbL3_0vr8iZqn5TT 

What happens when an innovator steps outside the industry they helped shape?In this episode of 1NSIGHTS, Jason Griffing sits down with Paul Starkey — a key force behind ELAN, Bravas, Magnifi, PrepTECH, and several other ventures — for a candid conversation about what he's learned across a career defined by building, pivoting, and creating lasting value. Paul brings a rare perspective: someone who helped shape the CI industry from the inside, stepped away, and can now reflect honestly on what it does well, where it falls short, and what it takes to win long-term.Listen and you'll learn:What actually drives growth, and where businesses tend to break as demand, capacity, and process fall out of syncWhat to watch in private equity roll-ups, why the real challenges start after the deal closesHow AI, data, and better systems are changing how fast businesses can operate, and where most are behindWhat lessons from outside the industry can help you build a stronger businessWatch the video recording here:https://youtu.be/oFHIryP9Os8?si=KHhNIpKnRk7__xVV 

What does meaningful support for integrators actually mean for a manufacturer?As the custom integration industry grows more sophisticated, the expectations between manufacturers and integrators evolve with it. Product quality still matters, but so do feedback loops, support infrastructure, and long-term alignment. In this episode of 1NSIGHTS, Jason Griffing is joined by Casey Clemens, Senior Director of Americas Professional at Sonos, for a candid conversation about how manufacturers and integrators can work together to strengthen the CI channel.Listen and you'll learn:How structured dealer feedback influences product developmentWhat thoughtful channel investment looks like in practice from a manufacturerWhy professional support infrastructure is essential for long-term client successHow manufacturers and integrators can align to create better outcomesWatch the video recording here:https://youtu.be/BWcUxqq1O7g

Most integrators have a strong intuition about how their business is performing. Fewer have a clear view of how that performance compares to the rest of the market, or where inefficiencies are quietly holding them back.In this episode of 1NSIGHTS, Jason Griffing sits down with Jason Knott, Data Solutions Architect & Evangelist at D-Tools, for a grounded, practical conversation about what real-world integrator data is revealing right now. Drawing from millions of anonymized data points, they will explore how benchmarking can challenge assumptions, expose blind spots, and help integrators understand where they truly stand across margins, speed, and operational performance.Listen and you'll learn:What current benchmarks reveal about margins, sales cycles, and performance gapsHow integrators can use data to pressure-test assumptions about their businessWhere AI is already improving speed and clarity — and where caution still mattersWhy benchmarking is becoming a strategic advantage, not just a reporting exerciseWatch the on-demand recording here:https://youtu.be/qkwAME0Elvg

Growth forces a question most companies avoid: how do you maintain the level of customer experience that got you here in the first place — as everything around you changes?In this episode of 1NSIGHTS, Jason Griffing sits down with OneVision Founder and CEO Joseph Kolchinsky for an open, practical conversation on how customer experience evolves as companies grow, and why the approaches that work early on often break down at scale.Together, Jason and Joseph explore how customer experience in the custom integration industry is shaped by long-term relationships, bespoke systems, and high expectations — and why scaling requires more than simply adding people or processes.Listen and you’ll learn:How customer experience delivery changes at different stages of growthWhen founder-led service becomes a bottleneck, and how to evolve past itPractical ways to balance personalization with consistency at scaleHow leaders can stay intentional about delivering experience as their role evolvesWatch the on-demand recording here:https://youtu.be/lcLg9glE9kg?si=14yHYFQAfWG8Cf55 

What does it take to turn a bold idea into a product that transforms an industry?In this episode of 1NSIGHTS, Jason Griffing (Director of Product at OneVision Resources) and Kirk Chisholm (Founder and CPO of Portal) sit down for a candid conversation about what it really takes to build products customers love — and keep evolving them over time.Drawing from their own product journeys, Jason and Kirk unpack the lessons learned from every pivot, from Portal’s transformation from SupplyStream to SaaS, to OneVision’s own evolution as a service and technology provider. Together, they explore how to listen to users without losing your vision, manage change across teams, and balance innovation with practicality.Listen and you’ll learn:How to navigate major strategic pivots without losing your core visionHow to turn user feedback into actionable insights (and ignore the noise)How branding, innovation, and integrations shape long-term successWhat the future holds for SaaS, AI, and service innovation in the CI channelWatch the on-demand recording here:https://1nsights.onevisionresources.com/the-innovators-playbook-on-demand-video 

In this episode of 1NSIGHTS, we’ll cover how AI is actually being used inside the custom integration industry today, from automation and voice tools to vibe coding and client communication.Listen and you’ll learn:- How Ari Supran uses AI daily to save hours and spark innovation- The top AI tools & workflows that are delivering real ROI in CI- How to manage AI adoption on your team- Why voice interfaces & “vibe coding” may reshape your workflow- Where AI is heading next — and how to get your business readyWatch the on-demand recording here:https://1nsights.onevisionresources.com/webinar-unpacking-ai-on-demand-video 

Learn how to get off the starting block and stop overengineering your service offering. Build a service offering that actually works without spinning your wheelsIn this episode, you'll learn:Why most integrators overcomplicate service offerings, and how to avoid perfectionismA simple “Think Big, Start Small” framework to test ideas quickly and refine them with real client feedbackThe hidden risks of waiting too long to launch (and how to de-risk your approach  with small bets)Practical lessons from OneVision’s award-winning product development journeyWatch the on-demand recording here:https://1nsights.onevisionresources.com/webinar-think-big-start-small-formula-for-successful-service-on-demand-video