Controltalk Now The Smart Buildings Podacst

In the realm of building automation and controls, there are few who embody the wisdom and tenacity of the great Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A. One such man is Stephen Johnson, the Vice President of Automation and Controls at McKenneys. From humble beginnings as a janitor at Chick-fil-A Corporation, Stephen scaled the ranks and, for a time, served as the bodyguard and driver for Truett Cathy himself.  Now, with lessons from the legend echoing in his heart, Stephen applies this wisdom to his work at McKenneys, shaping the future of the building automation controls industry.  In Episode 414 of ControlTalk Now the HVAC and Smart Buildings Podcast, Stephen shares the invaluable insights he gleaned from his time with Truett Cathy and how these lessons have shaped his leadership at McKenneys.

My guest this week is Jeff Kimmel. Jeff is the Co-founder and CEO of Elipsa.ai If you are looking for ways to reduce the costs it takes to run your building or factory, and if you are looking to cut energy and maintenance costs, then this episode is for you! Elipsa is an automated AI platform.They put the AI capabilities in your hands, enabling you to be proactive in your approach saving time and money addressing problems before they occur. Epipsa works with the Niagara data service. is a tool for users through a simple point and click to be able to create AI algorithms that are applicable to industrial use cases and machinery. Here are some benefits of using Elipsa in concert with your building management system and why it’s the smart choice for building management Jeff discusses on this episode  1. Power Usage Reduction: One of the biggest benefits of using Elipsa is its ability to reduce power usage in buildings. With its advanced analytics and predictive maintenance capabilities, Elipsa can help identify

Sarah Monteleone, the President of Controls Group North America is my guest this week on Controltalk Now the HVAC and Smart Building Controls Video Cast. Starting her career in controls with Functional Devices, Sarah has worked her way up to becoming the president of Controls Group North America. Controls Group North America is a group of elite HVAC and Smart Buildings control distributors and progressive HVAC manufacturers. Sarah shares the skills needed to lead this group of accomplished individuals, plus the challenges of selling smart building controls in a highly competitive market. Be sure to tune in and join us as we discuss the latest trends, technology, and strategies in HVAC and Smart Building Controls with Sarah Monteleone. It’s sure to be an enlightening conversation!  SUMMARY This week, Control Talk Now is taking a look at leadership and the skills needed to lead a team of strong personalities without the ability to give raises or fire people. As an example, the host( Eric Stromquist) talks about

My guest on ControlTalk Now this week is Tom Joslin. Tom is one of the control pros with a newer smart building control vendor, 75F. 75F is a leading provider of building automation solutions that are designed to optimize energy consumption, improve indoor air quality, and enhance occupant comfort in commercial buildings. Using a vertically integrated and IoT-based wireless system, 75F's technology can analyze and control existing HVAC equipment and systems to achieve greater efficiency and cost savings. With sophisticated algorithms running in the cloud, the system can make micro-adjustments every 60 seconds to ensure optimal performance, and each customer site receives roughly 150,000 individual decisions each day. With a focus on sustainability, affordability, and customer satisfaction, 75F is revolutionizing the way businesses manage their buildings and reduce their carbon footprint. In addition to my interview with Tom, I explain another nonverbal communication technique, mirroring. Mirroring is a subcon

My guest this week is an industry legend, Dennis Floro. Before becoming a consultant, Dennis took well know distributor Wilson Mohr from 8 million dollars a year in sales to over 100 million dollars. In addition to teaching us about business strategy, Dennis shares 5 ttraits that great laeders have in common:   1) Great Leaders are Great Listeners The best leaders understand the value of humble listening. They recognize the need to consider different perspectives before making decisions. A great leader is patient enough to listen and absorb information before responding; they will use input from others to make informed decisions moving forward. This type of communication builds trust with colleagues and helps create an open dialogue that empowers employees to be creative and innovative. 2) Set Measurable Goals Successful leaders set measurable goals for themselves and their team members in order to stay informed about the operations of their business. Setting targets and tracking progress towards them, it hel

In Episode 407 of ControlTalk Now the HVAC and Smart Buildings Podcast talk about using data analytics and AI as a way to make buildings smarter and more energy efficient which ultimately will help save the planet. How data analytics and AI are revolutionizing smart buildings in 2023 In the world of smart buildings, data analytics, and AI are changing the game. With advanced systems and sensors that collect and analyze data, buildings are becoming smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable. If you want to learn about the latest trends and innovations in smart building technology, we've got you covered. In 2023, the use of data analytics and AI is expected to become even more widespread in building management. By leveraging AI algorithms and machine learning, building systems can automatically adjust to changing conditions and optimize energy use. This means lower costs, improved environmental impact, and better overall building performance. So how exactly is this technology being used? For starters,

In Episode 406 of ControlTalk Now we break down the skills a new leader needs in order to lead a team or a company. My guest this week is Rob Allen. Rob is running the day-to-day operations at my Company, Stromquist & Company. Rob shares the challenges of leading a group of co-workers that have been in the industry longer than he has, and been working at Stromquist Longer than he has. Rob’s story is inspiring and provides new leaders with great tips and reminders on the importance of building relationships, being open to feedback, and offering guidance without micromanaging. He provides a few examples of how he has helped build team camaraderie and trust within the group, which has created an environment that encourages collaboration and learning. Rob also talks about the importance of setting goals, creating a vision, and staying consistent. Get more at controltrends.com

On Episode 405 of ControlTalk Now The HVAC and Smart Buildings Podcast we dive deep into AI and Virtual Reality and how savvy contractors and building maintenance departments are using these new tools to cut costs and save money. My guests this week are Scott Cochrane and Mike Mitchell from Cochrane Supply. Mike does a live demo, which you can see in this video, and shows us exactly how useful VR can be when installing or troubleshooting a system in a building. Scott and Mike also give us a breakdown of the 2023 Controls Con happening in April.

No matter what industry you're in, selling can be a tough gig. But when you're selling complex technical products, it can be even tougher. That's where Joe Chandler comes in. Joe is the Vice President of Sales at Broudy Precision, a leading provider of HVAC and Smart Building Controls solutions. In his more than 20 years in the business, Joe has closed some of the biggest deals in the industry—and he's here to share his secrets. Find Your Niche  The first step to becoming a successful technical salesperson is to find your niche. What are you passionate about? What do you know the most about? Once you've answered those questions, you can start to focus your efforts on selling products and solutions within that niche. Not only will this make it easier for you to sell, but you'll also be able to build up a reputation as an expert in your field—which will make it easier to close deals. Develop New Accounts  Once you've found your niche, it's time to start developing new accounts. This can be done by attending tra

My guest this week is Intelligent Buildings, Kyle Peters. Kyle, who came from outside the Smart Buildings Controls industry shares how and why he switched to the Smart Building Controls Industry. He gives a step-by-step method that allowed him to progress at a rapid pace, and what he did to go from being a systems integrator to becoming one of the most respected cyber security experts in the field of smart building controls.

On this week's episode of ControlTalk Now The HVAC and Smart Building Controls Show I introduce Elwin Mckay Smith and Brian Collins from Op Systems Solutions. OPSys is based in New Zealand but ships its products all over the globe. I think you will enjoy what they have to say. In addition to my interview, I give you the Control News you need for the week ending Feb.19, 2023

After steeping away for two years Eric Stromquist. from ControlTrends is back with the next episode of ControlTalk Now The Smart Buildings Podcast. Eric's first guest is Automated Buildings Controls Founder Ken Sinclair, who joins Eric to discuss the educational breakout sessions at this year’s AHR Show. Tune in to find out what Eric and Ken have to say about the future of smart building technology! Eric shares some of the new and exciting things viewers can expect on the new Controltrends website.

Join in as we celebrate episode 400 with one of the top executives in the industry, Martin Villeneuve, who spearheaded Distech’s triple-digit growth. Distech continues to lead the way with powerful innovations for its Systems Integrators and End-Users, and its commitment to develop the Community with education and recruitment initiatives. ControlTrends thanks all the great people, organizations, companies, and vendors that have allowed us to reach our 400 episodes milestone and 3 million-plus views — from over 40 countries. It has been a fabulous and rewarding adventure thus far!

Bueno Systems CEO, Leon Wurfel joins us this week on Episode 399 of Controltalk Now The HVAC and Smart Buildings Video Cast. Leon helps us understand how having the right front-end Smart Building Controls interface can make buildings more efficient and profitable. Are you having a hard time finding qualified people to run and manage tour facilities? Leon will explain how having the right interface and the proper use of data can eliminate the need for more costly personal.

Ken Sinclair helps me break down the Smart Building and HVAC control news of the week.

In Episode 397 of Controltalk Now the Smart Building Controls Videocast we dive deep into cybersecurity and today's smart buildings Cybersecurity pros Marc Peatock, Fred Gordy, and Derek Harp share the things the smart building control pro needs to know to make smart connected buildings safe from cyber attacks..

In Episode 396 of ControlTalk Now The Smart Buildings V. Cast we explore proven marketing concepts that can help the Smart Building Controls Community gain a strategic advantage. Our guest this week is Ken Christensen. Ken is the marketing professional's go-to resource. Ken is a disciple of Ted Turner and for over thirty years has helped clients like the Ritz-Carlton and Wells Real Estate Funds maximize opportunities through better marketing. This episode is a must for those who are looking to break away from their competitors.

Automated Buildings Ken Sinclair joins us on this week's episode to discuss the April issue of Automated Buildings and how we must adapt to the changes in smart buildings and smart building controls. With over 50 years of success in the business, Ken Sinclair tells us that "agility with the ability to go around unmovable objects quickly proved to be a good life skill, and 'Adaptation' is our survival superpower."

Gina Elliott and Rachel Kennedy show how the Switch Automation platform can lower your building's carbon footprint, create benchmarking that works, and improve your brand. Crypto and blockchain coming to smart buildings? When? How? why?

On Episode 393 of Controltalk Now The Smart Building Controls Podcast we celebrate and discuss the great women in HVAC and Smart Building Controls.