Alarm Companies: Find What Makes You Unique and Market it

Find what makes your company extraordinary when compared to the competition. Then, make sure customers receive that message.

THE NAME BOB BONIFAS has assumed legendary proportions in the security industry. Bonifas is the president of Alarm Detection Systems (ADS) in Aurora, Ill., the premier independent alarm company in the Chicago area. An inaugural class inductee to SSI’s Industry Hall of Fame, Bonifas has been president of myriad national and local associations, has led industry pushes on all matters pertinent to its growth, has alienated a few people along the way, but is beloved by the industry at large.

He’s also a world traveler, literally. Bonifas belongs to an exclusive group of like-minded individuals who are consumed with the goal of visiting every country on Earth. I remember not too long ago turning on the news and there was Bonifas’ picture looking back at me as one of the passengers was stranded on a ship in Antarctica (yes, they were eventually rescued). And while spending the bulk of his time globetrotting, Bonifas is, arguably, one of the best security operators in the industry.

IDEA OF THE MONTH

If you could have one really big idea you could share with the alarm industry, what would it be?

Differentiate yourself from all of your competitors.”  — Bob Bonifas, Alarm Detection Systems

Differentiators Found in Various Flavors

I asked him, “Bob, if you could give just one good piece of advice to a young Bob Bonifas, say age 25, what would it be?” His advice is right on the money for anyone in business, regardless of age: “Differentiate yourself from all of your competitors.” At first glance, it may not appear to be so meaningful. But as you think about it, you start to realize that what he is talking about is the element of running a business that causes that business to be successful.

It may have to do with service. It may have to do with a unique product offering. It may have to do with building your brand. Here are a few examples of how to differentiate:

  • SSI’s Legal Briefing contributor, Ken Kirschenbaum, started publishing a daily newsletter that’s been going strong for quite a few years, for instance, and one of his major specialties is marketing a number of subscriber contracts, all standardized. I would suspect the majority of subscriber contracts sold in the alarm industry go through his firm.
  • In the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s, Radionics was known for its quality products and state-of-the-art performance. Among them, Sonitrol stood out for its “listen in” service and was unique to that brand.
  • Keith Fisher, operating on the North Shore of Chicago, built a huge brand just by using cartoon characters stenciled onto his service vehicles, long before anybody else thought of something like that.
  • My “day job” is managing a mergers and acquisition company (Davis Mergers and Acquisitions Group), but I’ve tried to offer more to the industry by writing a column, one that hopefully has added value to you.
  • And, I suspect if you polled customers of Alarm Detection Systems, they would tell you how special the service is they are getting from the company.

RELATED: Sometimes, Saying ‘No’ Can Yield More for Alarm Dealers Than Saying ‘Yes’

Make Sure to Market Your Unique Quality

Think about what your company does extraordinarily well that will separate yourself from the pack. Perhaps you’ve seen that some companies seem to get more recognition and valuable press coverage than others. That’s probably not an accident; those companies deliberately set out to make sure the rest of the world knows their accomplishments. They send out press releases not just to industry press, but also local and regional newspapers and magazines. Maybe you’ve noticed a lot of coverage of Bates Security in Kentucky, for instance; it has an active, outstanding public relations program.

For years, marketers have tried to find the USP (unique selling point) that differentiates one business from another, preferably in a positive light. It may have to do with your products, location, service, pricing, etc. You decide, and once you do, build on that selling feature. Make sure customers and potential customers know what that USP is.

Your online presence is a good place to start. You might find it is not too expensive to hire a local public relations firm that can help you develop a USP, and then help you publicize it. Shop around, prices are across the board. If you look at the Web site our firm has developed over the years (with the help of industry PR guru Art Romero) you can see why we’re proud to direct potential clients there. A word of caution, though: If you’re going to differentiate yourself with a USP, make certain you are the best at doing what you do. Otherwise, it could backfire and undo all the value it might otherwise have provided your firm.

As I look over the Web site ADS has developed, and knowing the company as well as I do, I honestly think its leader, Bonifas, is the major differentiator. He’s one-of-a-kind, a giver to both the community and the industry – and both know what he and his company stand for. There’s a lot to emulate.

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!

About the Author

Contact:

Ron Davis is the founder and president of Davis Mergers & Acquisitions Group, Inc., a firm that specializes in acquisitions and mergers. He has more than 40 years of industry experience.

Security Is Our Business, Too

For professionals who recommend, buy and install all types of electronic security equipment, a free subscription to Commercial Integrator + Security Sales & Integration is like having a consultant on call. You’ll find an ideal balance of technology and business coverage, with installation tips and techniques for products and updates on how to add to your bottom line.

A FREE subscription to the top resource for security and integration industry will prove to be invaluable.

Subscribe Today!

Get Our Newsletters