Keep This Trio of Trends Top of Mind

Thanks to technology and economics, today’s security landscape shifts faster than ever before. Being successful means you can’t keep your head buried in the ground like an ostrich but rather must stay abreast of key trends. Three significant ones are examined here.

The intuitive movement started in the computer world with plug ‘n play. In the security industry, proprietary is giving way to a more open environment. Manufacturers and software developers are learning to design in “intuitiveness” to enable integrators and customers to embrace their offerings. Photography ©istockphoto.com/TonisPanInstructional Giving Way to Intuitive

Traditional methods of training across the entire security ecosystem have been changing due to the economy. The in-person classroom format was the traditional norm for training technicians, sales teams and end users. There were bid advantages to this approach when the content, facilitator and facility were in synch with the participants.

I have probably conducted more than 300 classroom skill-building sessions during the past 10 years. The key advantages were being able to “read” the participants’ absorption rate, answer questions to clarify in real-time with memorable real-life experiences, observe the interaction and dynamics of the class, and finally conduct and observe skill-building practice sessions or certification testing.

With travel budgets cut and the need to wring every possible billable dollar for employees to keep the lights on, training began migrating to distance learning methodology. This was often Webinar-based with a facilitator, or delivered through a learning management system (LMS) that was on-demand and self-paced. While this method lowered the cost of training and made it more flexible, I also believe it lessens engagement, if not properly done.

Professionally designed and administered distance learning is effective in delivering technical training and certification, but it may fall short in the selling or leadership areas where interaction and teamwork exercises help cement critical thinking skill development.

OK, so what’s next? The intuitive trend. This movement really started in the computer world where plug ‘n play are important to hardware, firmware, and where software developers must play well in the sandbox or risk becoming irrelevant, which leads to bankruptcy. As the security industry has moved, glacially spreading from very proprietary to a more open environment, manufacturers and software developers are learning that they must desig
n in “intuitiveness” to enable systems integrators and customers to embrace their offerings.

This is not limited to just the technical commissioning of systems, but also how end users or installers are trained to use or install the system. What is the clearest indication of this trend? YouTube.com. When I want to know how to program my new motorcycle helmets for Bluetooth communication, I can A) read the manual that was written by somebody who loves Chinese algebra (I can barely understand standard algebra) or B) go to YouTube.com and find a five-minute video by the manufacturer. I choose ‘B.’

Until next month my trendy friends.

Paul Boucherle, Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and Certified Sherpa Coach (CSC), is principal of Canfield, Ohio-based Matterhorn Consulting. He has more than 30 years of diverse security and safety industry experience and can be contacted at [email protected].

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:

Paul C. Boucherle, Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and Certified Sherpa Coach (CSC), is Security Sales & Integration’s “Business Fitness” columnist. A principal of Matterhorn Consulting, he has more than 30 years of diverse security and safety industry experience including UL central station operations, risk-vulnerability assessments, strategic security program design and management of industry convergence challenges. Boucherle has successfully guided top-tier companies in achieving enhanced ROI resulting from improved sales and operational management techniques. He is a charismatic speaker and educator on a wide range of critical topics relating to the security industry of today and an accomplished corporate strategist and marketer whose vision and expertise in business performance have driven notable enterprise growth in the security industry sector.

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