Funny Meetings Might Be More Productive Meetings — Science of Us

Funny Meetings Might Be More Productive Meetings — Science of Us.

Very interesting article which shows that when a little time and effort is put in to conducting a well thought out meeting – they can be worthwhile and productive.

Internet of Things to reshape the security industry, new report from Memoori finds

Internet of Things to reshape the security industry, new report from Memoori finds.

The article provides some interesting insights on the convergence of physical security and the Internet of Things (IoT), and specifically the blending of physical security and the IP world in general.

Two notable points made in the article are:

1) IP networking products cannot be sold as “boxes” which have historically been the format for analog products. 

This aspect will change the “business” model for how security dealers / integrators view and ultimately purchase their product offerings.

2) A key finding from a recent research report showed that almost 80 percent of North American systems installers required better training from their suppliers of IP-based video surveillance products and simple interface tools to join their products together.

This point as been evident in the security community for many years.  “Old school” alarm dealers / integrators still view their products and services from a very “DC” mentality, which years ago limited their ability to migrate in to the video – because they could not fix their broken systems using their standby Fluke multi-meter.

This mindset blocks their ability to even consider migrating in to the IP based systems as they don’t have the fundamental technical knowledge to integrate the various system components.

Addressing School Violence | Liberty Mutual Insurance

Addressing School Violence | Liberty Mutual Insurance.

Good basic common sense article on a much needed topic…

 

NFPA Off Campus Safety Checklist

www.nfpa.org/~/media/Files/Safety information/For consumers/Campus/OffCampusSafetyChecklist.pdf.

Sending Jr. off to college this year ?  If you are pack a copy of NFPA’s Off Campus Safety Checklist in to their suitcase…

NFPA has assembled an excellent list of fire safety tips for college students new to living away from home.

Ordinary People and Fire Extinguishers – Fire Engineering

Ordinary People and Fire Extinguishers – Fire Engineering.

Great article clarifying the mistaken opinion that fire extinguishers delay the fire response process and are dangerous to operate by untrained individuals…

The fire equipment industry needs to support more efforts like this article discusses, as well as encourage more articles highlighting this topic…

Fire extinguishers are an important part of the life safety solution and more needs to be done to spread that message…

 

 

Poll: Readers view door-to-door scams as major problem | Security Systems News

Poll: Readers view door-to-door scams as major problem | Security Systems News.

Great article by SSN recapping a huge problem in the industry…  The industry needs to take a strict stance regarding “unethical” sales practices, otherwise we run the risk of devolving to the same perceived level as a used car salesperson.

Security sales are based on trust, and if the industry loses that, the battle will be lost…

 

Fire Alarm Training ???

 So which came first the fire alarm installer, the chalkboard, or the AHJ ???  This would be funny if it was not so silly and sad…

A Breakdown of Your 40 Facebook Minutes (Comic) | Re/code

A Breakdown of Your 40 Facebook Minutes (Comic) | Re/code.

So sad, but so true… If we could actually limit our “social media” time to 40 minutes I would consider that an improvement…

6 Reasons Why Every Job Seeker Should Take a Sales Training Course, and 3 Reasons Why They Won’t | LinkedIn

6 Reasons Why Every Job Seeker Should Take a Sales Training Course, and 3 Reasons Why They Won’t | LinkedIn.

Excellent article that applies to those seeking a job, and those looking to grow in a current position or career…

The Implications of Apple’s Latest Move into the Home

The Implications of Apple’s Latest Move into the Home.

While Apple’s decision to move in to the “connected” home environment may or may not have any impact upon the home security industry, what will have an impact is the perception of the consumer that their home security system of the future will include some of the very features that Apple is stating will be included in their offering.

Consumer perception of what a product should or should not be able to do will dictate where and how the industry moves for the foreseeable future.

The phrase “there’s an App for that” has found it’s way in to every product advertised on TV today.  Connectivity has broken the chains and has moved to areas far outside of the home, to include such services as OnStar who is now including WIFI hotspot features in their newest releases, and cellular carriers expanding their MIFI and web-connected phones in even the most basic service plans.

So whether Apple succeeds or fails within the connected home environment is really immaterial, as they have already made an impact just by looking in that direction…

As George used to say to Elroy on the Jetson’s cartoons of the 60’s – “Up up and away”…