Episode 501: #407 - The Customer Service Role

In this episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, hosts Michael Colligan and Greg Ehrich dive into the ever-important topic of emergency lighting and exit signage. From battery packs to combo units and LED emergency backup tubes, they explore the evolving landscape and the challenges distributors face when retrofitting or maintaining systems. They emphasize the critical importance of separating emergency systems from general lighting, and share real-world examples where overlooking proper emergency planning led to serious consequences.Sponsor: Barron Lighting Group  www.barronltg.com

In this eye-opening and unscripted episode, Mike and Greg peel back the curtain on one of the most underappreciated parts of the lighting industry—customer service. From misfit lightbulbs and warranty nightmares to dremel-happy customers and failing retrofits in century-old churches, no story is too strange and no frustration is off-limits. Whether it’s juggling returns, handling broken bulbs, or chasing down elusive manufacturer answers, these two veterans tackle it all with grit, humor, and a healthy dose of real talk.🔥 Topics Covered: Why customer service is the unsung hero of the lighting industry Mishaps with mislabeled bulbs and untested retrofits What happens when suppliers go quiet The real cost of poor follow-through This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a front-row seat to the real-life grind—and glory—of keeping the lighting world lit.💡 Tune in, laugh a little, learn a lot, and maybe shed a tear for your favorite customer service rep.Sponsor: Satco www.satco.com

🚀 On the latest episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, Matt Honson, President of NAILD, dives into the evolution of lighting distribution, industry education, and the urgent need for transparency in product labeling and eco-fee schemes. - Why collaboration among independent distributors strengthens the industry - Why integrity comes natural when you are living in the light - There shouldn’t be anything to hide when you are working in the non-profit sector and charging the lighting industry for product accreditation and eco-fees. If you care about the future of lighting distribution, this conversation is a must-listen! #LightingIndustry #NAILD #Innovation #Leadership #transparency   📌 Listen now! 🔗 Connect with Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-honson-3171a32b  Sponsor: Keystone www.keystonetech.com

Join Michael Colligan and Greg Ehrich on Get a Grip on Lighting as they dive into the evolving lighting industry in 2025. With rebates disappearing and competition tightening, distributors must rethink their approach. Michael highlights a unique opportunity in repairable fixtures—bringing back the distributor's original role of providing lighting components instead of simply selling new fixtures. Greg shares real-world examples of retrofitting LED purpose-built fixtures with socketed solutions, making them easily replaceable and future-proof.   Whether you're navigating post-rebate challenges or looking for fresh sales strategies, this episode is packed with insights to keep you ahead in the game!   🔥 Watch now and stay ahead of the curve in lighting sales!   Sponsor: Halco Lighting www.halcolighting.com

In this episode, we sit down with Taresh Grover, co-founder and COO of Pullogic, an AI-powered platform transforming supply chains. From predicting demand to optimizing inventory, AI is revolutionizing distribution—especially in the lighting industry. Taresh shares insights on how AI helps manufacturers and distributors reduce lost sales by forecasting demand and making smarter replenishment decisions in real time. He also dives into common challenges lighting businesses face and how Pullogic’s data-driven approach aligns supply with customer needs.  If you work in lighting distribution, manufacturing, or just want to know how AI is reshaping the industry, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways!  🔗 Listen now & subscribe for more insights!   Taresh Grover is the Co-Founder and COO of Pull Logic, an AI-powered SaaS platform that helps manufacturers and distributors reduce lost sales by optimizing product availability, not just inventory. By modeling real-world buying behavior, Pull Logic uses AI to forecast demand, recommend substitutions, and guide smarter replenishment decisions in real time. 

The podcast features Elizabeth Chamberlain, Director of Sustainability at iFixit, discussing the Right to Repair movement and its impact on the lighting industry. Traditionally, lighting was designed with standardized, replaceable components, ensuring easy repairs. However, modern LED fixtures often have non-repairable parts, leading to more electronic waste. Liz explains iFixit's mission to provide free repair guides and advocate for laws requiring manufacturers to support independent repairs. Michael and Greg argue that lighting should return to its repairable roots, emphasizing sustainability and waste reduction.  Liz Chamberlain is Director of Sustainability at iFixit, where you can find everything you need to fix consumer gadgets (and more). She heads the company's fight for the Right to Repair, which is the idea that you should be able to fix everything you own and manufacturers shouldn't be able to stop you. Her writing about repair and e-waste has been published in The Wall Street Journal and Wired, and she's been interviewed for NPR and Vox.  Connect with Liz: www.ifixit.com www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-chamberlain-4a96264a/ X: liz_ifixit facebook.com/iFixit instagram.com/ifixit  Sponsor: Griplock Systems griplocksystems.com

Lighting controls are no longer a nice-to-have—they’re fast becoming the backbone of smart, energy-efficient buildings. In this episode, Michael Colligan and Greg Ehrich sit down with Scott Metker, COO of Autani, to explore how the convergence of lighting, HVAC, and data is transforming the built environment.From the rise of wireless and hybrid systems to the untapped potential of demand reduction and data-driven decision-making, this conversation sheds light on what’s next for building intelligence. Scott breaks down the real-world benefits of connected controls and why facility managers are seeing lighting systems as more than just sources of illumination—they’re becoming powerful platforms for insight and automation.And if you're a distributor, contractor, or agent looking to pivot into the future?Get a Grip on Lighting is blazing a new sales path with rebates and lighting controls—and NAILD is backing it up with an in-person, hands-on controls certification. Click here to learn more. If you’re ready to shift gears with the industry, this is where you start.Tune in and find out why the smartest buildings start with the smartest lighting systems.Connect with Scott: https://autani.com https://www.litetrace.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmetker/   Sponsor: Satco  www.satco.com

In this explosive discussion, Devin Wall returns to break down the deep-state influence in the lighting industry—focusing on tariffs, accreditation agencies, and the power dynamics shaping the market.   🔦 Key Topics Covered:  - Why Devin supports tariffs & U.S.-based manufacturing - The real role of accreditation agencies (like DLC) - How non-player characters are controlling lighting policies - Is the DLC helping or hurting lighting innovation? - Why rebates dictate product choices—and who profits - The unseen impact of industry regulations   🔥 If you're in the lighting industry, this episode is a MUST-WATCH! Let’s talk about who’s pulling the strings and how manufacturers & distributors can navigate the system.   💡 Hit like, subscribe, and join the conversation in the comments!   #LightingIndustry #Tariffs #DLC #LightingRegulations #DeepStateLighting #GetAGripOnLighting

In this episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, we sit down with Webster Marsh, host of the Lighting Controls Podcast, and Lighting Specialist in Controls instructor, to talk about the exciting future of lighting controls certification and why the industry desperately needs certified professionals.   💡 Key Topics Discussed: - Why the demand for lighting controls expertise is growing now more than ever. - How rebate programs are shaping the market and driving controls adoption. - The LC-C Lighting Controls Certification—a hands-on, multi-track training program designed for designers, distributors, and installers. - The importance of in-person training—seeing, touching, and working with controls firsthand. - How distributors can monetize lighting controls and position themselves as experts in the industry.  🎓 Ready to take your career in lighting to the next level? Learn more about LC-C Certification and why YOU should be signing up today!   🔥 Like, share, and subscribe for more industry insights! #LightingControls #GetAGripOnLighting #LC_Certification #LightingIndustry #LightingTraining   Connect with Webster: www.penumbracontrols.com www.linkedin.com/in/c-webster-marsh Sponsor: Keystone www.keystonetech.com

In this compelling episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, Spencer Myles and Brian Amundson dive deep into the complexities of the lighting industry, exposing the challenges posed by rebate programs, direct install initiatives, and shifting market dynamics.✨ Key Topics Discussed: The unintended consequences of rebate programs and how they can harm distributors. The rise of direct install programs—who benefits and who loses out? "Deep State" analogies in the lighting world and their impact on market competition. Why maintaining quality lighting solutions and advocating for fair practices is essential for the industry. The role of trade allies and the erosion of their importance in the lighting market. 🔍 Discover how Spencer and Brian shed light on these pressing issues and share their insights into navigating a rapidly evolving industry landscape. If you're in the lighting business, this episode is a must-watch!💡 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!#LightingIndustry #RebatePrograms #DeepStateLighting #DirectInstall #GetAGripOnLighting