In the weeks leading up to the 25th annual Business & Leadership Conference, we asked NSCA leadership to share their insights and expertise on many of the subjects we’ll cover at the event. Here, Don Mastro, executive vice president at AVI Systems, explains the great opportunity integrators have when it comes to rethinking technology.
The tumultuous past few years have many organizations rethinking technology needs, which leaves integrators with a great opportunity to help build community, consensus, and experience.
The pandemic impacted the entire world, but it also opened a window of opportunity for our industry. We emerged running headlong into addressing new technology demands to help the workplace function smoothly.
As employees returned to workplaces, they desired collaboration tools like the ones they used at home: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and other platforms that are easy to use and support meeting equity. Organizations had to step up to meet these demands for their employees.
Good sellers learned how to respond to prospects and customers, meeting clients where they are in their workplace evolution. In many cases, this meant talking to new chief digital transformation officers or chief experience officers who create today’s digital employee experiences. Together, we’re enabling a new generation of workers who want flexibility to work from home but also require social workspaces.
Our goal today is to create unique spaces with technology solutions that help build community, consensus, and experience.
Building Community
Integrators can help employers build gathering spaces that feel like home. Cafés and common areas offer comfort and allow employees to collaborate freely. Technology options can include hybrid work, soundscaping, and smart workplace solutions employees can leverage to be more productive.
Building Consensus
Integrators can help employers bring their employees together to work on big ideas. Large interactive displays and hybrid “signature rooms” enable in-person and remote workers to collaborate freely and equally.
Building Experience
Integrators can help employers create customer experience centers that deliver “wow” experiences. They combine digital canvases for interactive storytelling with large displays that provide a 360-degree environment.
To succeed, you must listen to your customers as they ask for new workspaces. The opportunity is to develop expertise based on trends and demands; to offer a new point of view, plan with key stakeholders, use a proof of concept and pilot approach, and wrap Day Two support services into the package.
Don Mastro is executive vice president at AVI Systems and an NSCA Board of Directors Member.
Chat with him at NSCA’s 25th annual Business & Leadership Conference in Irving, TX, on Feb. 28-March 2. Register at www.nsca.org/blc.