By Moe Lastfogel Director of Sales and Marketing for The Retail Observer Recently, I had the opportunity to speak at the Z-Wave Alliance Summit in Oklahoma City and the Smart Kitchen Summit in Seattle. At Z-Wave I was on a panel called “The Sell-through Roundtable: Retail, Online or Distribution; Tips, Tricks, War Stories and How to Get Your Products Sold” and at the Smart Kitchen Summit, I lead a panel on “Kitchen TV: The Community Screen?” Both events got me thinking about today’s Smart technologies and where it is all going. What does Smart mean today? Where is this technology going, and how will it affect what you are selling or specifying? At Z-Wave, I was introduced to hundreds of companies and their products that I didn’t even know existed. Yes, I have seen many of these companies before, whether it was at CES, CEDIA or IFA, but I can say I now better understand what they are all doing. They are making life easier, for sure. From dimmers and controllers, to security and networking, these companies strive to bring products not only to the end users, but to the installers and retailers in a cohesive solution for today’s fast-paced tech world. The Smart Kitchen Summit was an incredible opportunity as well. The panelists in my session were amazing. Yoon Lee, Samsung’s head of innovation; Esme Williams, Allrecipes VP consumer brand strategy; and Amanda Rottier, NY Times product director NYT cooking. Their insight into how the TV or screen is the hub of the hub (the Kitchen) of the home was very thought-provoking. Our focus was about the emergence of the screen in the kitchen and the potential impact on recipes, content, cooking and overall kitchen behavior. With so many new technologies in the home today, the kitchen still reigns supreme as the center of the home. I’d like to thank Mitch Klein, executive director of the Z-Wave Alliance for the opportunity to learn more about his extensive group, Michael Wolf for putting together the Smart Kitchen Summit, and all my fellow panelists for their insights into how they all see these emerging technologies meshing together today and in the future. Happy Retailing, Moe Lastfogel [email protected]
0 Comments
By Eliana Barriga Publisher and Managing Editor for The Retail Observer Is there a difference between thanksgiving and gratefulness? Well, I believe there actually is. There is real power in a thankful heart. You really can’t be thankful without feeling grateful. Genuine gratitude changes you; how you look at life, it changes your attitude. Every day we are exposed to a barrage of negativity. We deal with resentments, ingratitude, entitlement, health issues, loss, etc. Gratitude is an awesome tool, an ally to battle these internal/external threats that rob us of our joy. People who choose to be haters rob themselves of a most powerful experience of heartfelt praise and appreciation in their life. Amazing, how gratitude eliminates the negativity. Giving value to others fosters appreciation, which in turn becomes the transformative energy of gratitude that changes us on a deep level. Practicing gratitude can be a positive way to find inner peace and contentment. By choosing to be thankful for the wonderful things and people in our daily lives we become healthier and happier. It is a mindful act so simple, yet it brings a lasting happiness and an inner joy to those committed to living the good life. Think about the people in your life who are loving and kind to you. Who has your back by looking out for you? Who has sacrificed in order to make your life better? Do the people closest to you have your best interest at heart? At the end of the day, we all have those people in our lives that add to our happiness. Don’t ever take for granted what another does, gives and sacrifices in order for you to flourish, to be the best version of yourself you can be. It takes a team in life to come out a winner in the end. Living gratefully has its rewards! Give the gift of joy that comes from loving and helping others. That’s the power of gratitude. So take thanks beyond your Thanksgiving table this year and show your gratitude by doing something selfless today. Happy Thanksgiving! Eliana Barriga [email protected] |
CategoriesArchives
December 2021
|