Automation Unplugged Podcast

Hosted by Ron Callis

Technology Entrepreneurship MarketingInterviews guestsExplicit

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Episodes

296

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Automation Unplugged is a Facebook Live show recorded weekly with our host Ron Callis, Owner and CEO of the digital marketing agency, One Firefly. In each Automation Unplugged episode, Ron speaks with leading industry personalities and technology professionals to discuss all things business development, technology trends, and more. These interviews are designed to help our clients and members of the custom integration industry keep up-to-date with the latest news as well as learn from experts in the field.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 19, 20261 hr 8 min

#367: Brian Perreault on 35 Years of Change, Growth, and Building Barrett's for What's Next

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Brian and I discussed: Why Barrett's built a separate small projects team, and how those smaller jobs still fuel cash flow and client loyalty. Their approach to educational events, from an AI workshop to a new lighting lab built for specifiers. What's next for the industry, from video walls to energy storage to the wellness trend that never quite took off. Whether you're figuring out how to serve both your legacy clients and your biggest projects, or you're looking for new ways to build relationships with the design community, you're going to get a lot out of this one. So settle in and enjoy my conversation with Brian. Let's get started! To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/ au367

August 12, 20261 hr 1 min

#366: The AI Gold Rush Is Coming for Your Workforce

SHOW NOTES We cover: How the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and data centers is creating unprecedented demand for skilled labor across the country The five pillars of workforce resilience, including employer branding, candidate experience, career development, culture, and proactive workforce planning Practical strategies to help integrators attract, hire, and retain top talent in an increasingly competitive labor market Visit the episode page on our website to get the audio recording and video of the original webinar. Now let’s tune in and explore how AI is reshaping the hiring landscape — and what your business can do today to stay ahead of the competition. To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/ au366

August 5, 20261 hr 3 min

#365: Robert Haecker of Triphase Technologies on 30 Years of Hard-Won Lessons

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Robert and I discussed: Why selling his company at age 30 turned out to be the best lesson of his career. How their showroom and light lab sell what a conversation never could. The in-house training program that cut ramp time for a job site lead from ten years to two. And why a $20 million company had to go back to a single point of contact to keep feeling small to its clients. Whether you're early in your growth or running a company that has outgrown how you used to do things, you're going to love this conversation. So settle in and enjoy my conversation with Robert Haecker. Let's get started! To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/au365

July 29, 202624 min

#364: Ask AI to Teach You AI — Mike Wilson's Playbook for Getting Started

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Mike and I discussed: How AI image editing helps his team solve real client challenges — from removing private artwork and family photos before sharing project images, to swapping out unlicensed content on screens. How he uses simple ChatGPT prompts to turn a designer's scale elevation drawing into side-by-side visuals, helping clients make decisions faster and reducing costly change-orders after installation. And how Bethesda Systems is building an AI culture from the ground up, including weekly leadership meetings with hands-on AI demos and shared licenses across the team. What makes this conversation so valuable is that Mike doesn't call himself an AI expert — and that's exactly the point. He's a business owner who started with simple experiments and turned them into practical tools that improve margins and client communication. Whether you're already experimenting with AI or just trying to understand where to begin, you're going to get a lot of value from this conversation. So settle in and enjoy my conversation with Mike Wilson. Let's get started! To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/au364

July 22, 20261 hr 4 min

#363: How to Get Out of the Sales Seat — Ollie Tuffney's Blueprint for Building a Sales Machine

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Ollie and I discussed: Why founder-led sales eventually becomes the ceiling on your growth, how the "founder advantage" makes it unfair to expect your salespeople to sell like you do, and the path to getting off the hamster wheel. The five-pillar operating system Sales Velocity uses to build scalable sales machines—positioning, process, people, performance, and planning—and how to find the key constraint holding your team back. And practical tactics you can implement right away: how to attract, assess, and onboard sales talent without falling for the "black book" myth, why public dashboards tracking percentage of time gone versus target achieved create ownership and urgency, and how to structure your weekly accountability and coaching meetings. Whether you're the owner still carrying your company's sales on your own back or you're looking to build a repeatable sales engine, you're going to love this conversation. So settle in and enjoy my conversation with Ollie Tuffney. Let's get started! To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/ au363

July 15, 20261 hr 0 min

#362: The Power of Vulnerability: Jason Zuniga on Peer Groups and Second Chances

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Jason and I discussed: How he scaled Austin Home Systems from a three-person shop to 26 employees and over $7 million in revenue. How reading Traction helped him define his target market of custom home builders and break through the million-dollar ceiling. Why joining a ProSource peer group and learning to “be vulnerable” with fellow dealers has been, in his words, life-changing for his business. Jason is known for his hands-on approach and for building a company focused on quality, service, and long-term relationships. Whether you’re building your own integration firm or just want to hear how a values-driven leader scales a business, you’re going to love this one. So settle in and enjoy my conversation with Jason Zuniga. Let’s get started! To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/au362

July 8, 20261 hr 8 min

#361: The Authority Engine: Using Video, Case Studies, and Imagery to Prove Your Premium Value

SHOW NOTES We cover: How AI platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity are changing the customer research journey — and why integrators need to rethink how they present themselves online The concept of EEAT — Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust — and how businesses can use content to strengthen their online visibility and credibility Practical strategies for capturing and creating content, including project photography, video, case studies, reviews, social media, and websites Visit the episode page on our website to get the audio recording and video of the original webinar. Now let’s tune in and explore how great content can help your business stand out and attract more of the right customers online. To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/au361

July 1, 202659 min

#360: Speed, Precision, and the Business of Custom Integration with Jonathan Smith

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Jon and I discussed: How his experience in NASCAR shaped the way he approaches precision, pressure, troubleshooting, and entrepreneurship in the integration world. Why professional design documentation, outsourced engineering partnerships, and strong project planning are critical. And how Jon is building Fusion Automation through relationships with architects, designers, and builders, while leaning into high-growth categories like lighting, shades, invisible audio, and digital displays. Whether you’re interested in building stronger relationships with architects and designers, growing a design-forward integration firm, or hearing how lessons from NASCAR translate into business ownership, you’re going to enjoy this conversation. So settle in and enjoy my conversation with Jonathan Smith. Let’s get started! To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/au360

June 24, 202631 min

#359: Blake Urmos on Building AI Tools for the Low-Voltage Industry

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Blake and I discussed: How one simple ChatGPT project opened his eyes to the business potential of AI and led him to start building his own software tools. Why Claude Code, AI skills, agentic coding, and tools like MCP are helping non-traditional developers solve real business problems faster than ever before. And how Blake built LVN Signals, an AI-powered platform that helps contractors uncover commercial low-voltage opportunities before they hit the bid boards. Blake brings a unique mix of field experience, community building, software development, and hands-on AI experimentation. This conversation is a real-world look at what’s possible when integrators stop treating AI as a buzzword and start using it to solve practical business challenges. Whether you’re already experimenting with AI or just trying to understand where to begin, you’re going to get a lot of value from this conversation. So settle in and enjoy my conversation with Blake Urmos. Let’s get started! To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/au359

June 17, 20261 hr 7 min

#358: From $4M to $20M- David Wexler on How EOC Audio Built a Powerhouse Culture

SHOW NOTES In this episode, David and I discussed: How EOC Audio grew 400% in six years by prioritizing "buying right," leveraging the power of buying groups, and hiring talent in advance of growth. Why long-term success comes from "saying yes" to clients and builders alike, and how David used 12 years of live radio hosting to build a legendary reputation in his market. And A look at the rising demand for sophisticated lighting design, motorized window treatments, and the high-growth world of professional golf and shooting simulators. David brings over five decades of wisdom and a deep passion for the "human" side of the technology business. Whether you’re looking to scale your own integration firm or simply want to hear from a true industry legend, you’re going to love this conversation. So settle in and enjoy my conversation with David Wexler. Let's get started! To get transcripts, resources of what was mentioned in the show, and more visit the podcast page on our website at onefirefly.com/au358