INSIGHT take note
Technology Is Our Future It is our job to educate consumers about the benefits of investing in automatic shades,
blinds, and even drapery tracks. And if we can’t, we’re going to lose the future of our industry to those that can. Back in the early ’90s I was going to vocational school to learn robotics. I was a teenager and it was super cool to learn the latest technologies at that time. Back then, cell phones did not exist and the internet was something used only at libraries and schools. Fast-forward almost 30 years later: Technology has improved exponentially. Cell phones are practically a necessity in our lives and no one can live without internet for more than a day or two, while electric cars, streaming video, and even cryptocurrencies are topics of everyday conversations. The Tech-Trend Curve My point is that the window treatment industry has followed the trend as well, if just a bit more slowly. Back in 2006 when I was starting out as an installer: motorized jobs were a rarity, only one every three to six months. And those were only for one or two shades in the whole house while the rest of the windows featured conventional shades, draperies, or blinds. But those few jobs were enough to keep me eager and interested in automated treatments and smart home technology. Just like my days back in college, studying robotics, I wanted to become proficient working with these new technologies. I never stopped going to as many trainings and classes available. I even became somewhat of a joke in some of the classes—attending them three, four, and even five times. But every time I went, I learned something new or was reinforcing some of the already learned prior knowledge. But this extra effort is paying off big time now. Manufacturers are advertising regularly to consumers about the benefits of smart technologies and home integration. Young adults are so comfortable using their smartphones that they think it is a natural thing to have their shades operated by phone. Understanding the Future As professionals, it is our job to educate consumers about the benefits of investing in automatic shades, blinds, and even 20 | wf-vision.com | May + June 2018
by Roger Magalhaes
drapery tracks. Custom window treatment consumers are willing to spend extra money for something worth it. But because this trend is still relatively new, they want to feel comfortable with the dealer/designer providing such services. If the client feels that you are not knowledgeable, or confident about the product you are offering, they will go to the internet looking for someone who is. So, my advice to you is to start learning this technology and get comfortable with it. Otherwise you may not be around in the near future. If you don’t believe that your job is in jeopardy, just take a look back at Kodak. The company dominated 97% of the market selling film for photography. And in a matter of three years, the digital camera world put that company out of business. In my next article I will go over a few tips and techniques I use on my sales calls to encourage customers to consider the benefits of automation. But in the meantime, I strongly encourage you to start your own journey in the technology shaping our industry and become the driver of your own future. z Roger Magalhaes is a certified Professional Installer by The Custom Home Furnishing Academy, Lutron, Hunter Douglas, Somfy and Norman Shutters, an active member of the WCAA, founder of the Facebook group Free Speech Window Covering Pros and the founder and owner of Shades IN Place, Inc., Franklin, MA, established in 2006. ShadesInPlace.com Facebook: shadesinplace Twitter: Shades_IN_Place Houzz: shades-in-place
