Barrett’s Home Theater Networking Power
Barrett’s Home Theater has been a member of Home Theater Specialist of America (HTSA) for ten years. Consisting of retail and custom installation specialists across America, HTSA has provided the entire team the ability to network several times a year in all facets of business operation to determine best business practices by attending education forums, conferences, and online web casting. In addition, because HTSA is a consortium of buyers, our Director Richard Glikes, is able to ensure purchasing power in the marketplace.
Last year, Joe Barrett, president and owner, and I had the opportunity to visit with several of our HTSA partners in their perspective cities including Seattle and Dallas. We saw firsthand how the custom installation design centers and retail home theater stores integrated several technologies for home and office use.
“Because the audio/video and technologies industry is changing so rapidly, networking among business owners is critical, especially in these challenging times.” states Joe.
Our staff from sales consultants to custom installers and programmers are provided ample opportunity through professional training to continue their education to provide the customer with the latest and most timely information to meet their needs.
According to John Cook, Project Manager for Barrett’s Home Theater Chicago, “Our custom installation team and programmers are CEDIA (Custom Electronics Design & Installation Association) trained and certified. The advanced education for the management team through HTSA sponsored educational forums enhances the shopping experience for the customer because the staff knows the business at all levels.” In addition most staff has attended some or all of the following training:
- B&W UK Factory Tour
- Stewart Filmscreen Factory Training
- Lutron Factory Training
- Crestron Residential System Design Training
- McIntosh McMasters Training
- Runco Academy
- HTSA Custom Managers Meetings
- HTSA Programmers Meetings
- HTSA Buyers Meetings
- HTSA Audio Boot Camps
- HTSA Video Boot Camps
- Various CEDIA courses
- Local and/or in-store vendor trainings
Since all of us in the HTSA buying group are sailing in uncharted waters, as technologies continue to change on a daily basis, the support and teamwork approach across the globe are key strategies to meet the lifestyle for each and every customer. For more information on HTSA and CEDIA visit their websites.
By Dianne Barrett
