Embracing Technological Change in 2021

embracing technological change

CHRIS NETO TALKS TECHNOLOGY AND HOW TO ADAPT TO TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE IN 2021

If you told anyone working in an office at the start of 2020 that later in the year the entire nation would working remotely and hybrid working would be widely adopted in 2021, they wouldn’t likely trust your prediction.

Chris Neto, Market Development Manager at Starin, has been in the industry for 23 years. Over these decades, he has seen the workforce evolve alongside the technology industry, with the pair influencing one another.

Personally, what do you miss most from the pre-pandemic world?

I personally miss live events, like InfoComm the most. You can move the education online, but you cannot replace the hands-on experience or the networking that comes with an in-person event.

Which upcoming technology trends do you think will be biggest?

Whereas pre-pandemic we saw technology changing the way we worked and leading changes, that will shift to safety and society’s needs driving technology for a change.

Bigger displays, better meeting room audio and sanitation stations will all play a big part in the “Return to Office”. This technology will transcend meeting spaces and will also play a part in digital signage, queuing, contact tracing, site access and remote work.

Distance learning and enhancing work-from-home environments mean that commercial products may shift into greater use in the residential side of the business. Also, the evolving needs for teachers to have a range of options to deliver their class materials will drive in-room solutions within education environments.

Is there any advice you can give for adapting to change in this world?

Lack of agility and empathy is the worst mistake anyone can make.

Agility in business goals, finance and even marketing is key for any business at this time. Empathy will continue to play a major part in business with both customers and employees as we navigate these uncertain times.

Together agility and empathy can help business not only survive but thrive. We have to continue to have an attitude of helping and encouraging others and moving forward together as an industry with a positive mindset.

embracing

in 2021

When you first started in the AV industry it must have looked very different. What has been the biggest change you’ve seen in the past 12 months?

The biggest changes to the industry have come in the past 12 months. COVID has ignited the remote learning/working renaissance. Both were always present in our industry, mainly something we sold to our customers, but in 2020 we as an industry had to adapt….and drink our own “kool-aid”, so to speak.

In those 12 months, what’s been the biggest change you’ve seen to the AV the industry?

The biggest impact to our industry in the past 12 months has been the suspension of live events. It may take some time but this vertical will return strong. Many segments and verticals have struggled, others like digital signage have become stronger, and on point I’m hopeful it will all balance out. But clearly live events, rental and staging and to some degree house of worship are verticals that are still struggling with no return to normal in sight for the foreseeable future, and this was a segment of AV that was booming a year ago.

Could you tell us what to expect the post-pandemic workspace to look like? Unified communications have revolutionized how businesses work, these practices will continue to grow and evolve, as we all get used to working efficiently in a post-pandemic word.

You’ve been in the AV industry for 23 years, can you tell me what you love most about working it the technology industry?

I am a tech junkie at heart, so what I love most about the industry is when we as AV professionals get creative in our solutions. If you look at my LinkedIn activity it is me engaging with posts about exciting and innovative solutions.

Alongside the playful, creative side of AV, I also adore the community of AV professionals and hearing their stories of how they found their way and home within AV. There is not a traditional career path into AV, so we are a melting pot of all kinds of interesting and relevant skill sets.

And what is it that you find most frustrating?

The most frustrating part of AV is realizing that technology changes faster than the mindset. Education is so important to show clients and end-users how our solutions make their lives better.