Always on the Hunt with Leo Golubitsky

In this episode of Always on the Hunt, we welcome Todd McCandless, a global product sales and marketing leader with a wealth of experience from launching an integration firm to pivotal leadership roles in one of the largest A/V manufacturers. Todd shares captivating insights from his remarkable journey, including the launch and acquisition of his own integration firm, his tenure at Barco, and his passion for Formula One racing, which he's turned into the number one independent F1 podcast: The Parc Fermé F1 Podcast Join Leo and Todd as they delve into the world of audio/visual technology, exploring the current and future landscape of A/V innovation. Learn how Todd harnessed storytelling as a marketing tool to drive product adoption and connect with audiences authentically. Discover the imperative need for the A/V industry to embrace AI and innovation, and why integrators hold the key to shaping the future of technology. Whether you're an integrator, manufacturer, or just a technology enthusiast, Todd's perspective on the integration of AI and the importance of understanding customer workflows will inspire you to think differently about the future of AV. Connect with Todd: Linkedin The Parc Fermé F1 Podcast Are you on the Hunt? Visit birddogtalent.com

Welcome back to Always On The Hunt! In this episode, we take a deep dive into the world of Artificial Intelligence and its transformative impact on the Audio-Visual industry. Host Leo is joined by the insightful Alexander Oddoz-Mazet, a seasoned expert from the Unified Communications and Collaboration space, who led Microsoft Team's AI Go To Market Strategy. Together, they discuss how AI is revolutionizing the way we meet, interact, and manage technology in the AV realm—shifting from traditional methods to innovative, AI-driven solutions. Alexander shares his extensive experience leading marketing strategies for Microsoft Teams and elaborates on how manufacturers, resellers, and integrators should embrace AI to stay competitive. Are you on the hunt? Visit birddogtalent.com

In this enlightening episode of Always on the Hunt, we welcome Jason Sayen, a seasoned process architect with over 30 years of experience in the luxury AV industry. With a strong background in Lean Six Sigma methodologies, Jason helps businesses redefine their operational frameworks and eliminate process voids through effective workflow documentation.  Join us as Jason shares his journey from sales leadership at major audio brands to becoming a sought-after consultant in process optimization. Discover how his unique approach empowers companies to activate workflows, enhance communication, and ultimately boost profitability. We dive deep into the common pitfalls businesses face as they scale up, explore the critical importance of standard operating procedures, and highlight the role of technology in driving efficiency. Whatever stage your business is at, people like Jason can help you build up a foundation of business processes that will help you scale your business and weather any storm that might come your way. Are you on the hunt? Visit birddogtalent.com

Welcome back to Always on the Hunt! In today's episode we are joined by Clint Hoffman, an industry leader, actually more like an Industry Legend. With more than 40 years' experience in sales, marketing, operations and product development working for many of the biggest names in the industry such as Sony, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Kramer and currently the President & CEO of Lightware Visual Engineering. In addition to his incredibly successful career, he has given back to the industry by serving in many leadership roles with AVIXA.   In this episode, Join Leo and Clint as they discuss the art of building successful teams. Clint shares his insights on leadership, mentoring, talent acquisition, and retention. Discover how he fostered a positive culture at companies like Kramer and Sony, and learn what he looks for when recruiting top talent. Plus, get his take on the future of the Pro-AV industry, including the rise of USB-C and monitoring solutions. Are you on the hunt? Visit birddogtalent.com

Welcome back to Always on the Hunt! In today's episode, we celebrate a long-standing veteran of the AV industry, Randy Blanchard. With over three decades of experience, Randy has been influential in shaping the Residential A/V Integration Industry. From spearheading innovative retail practices to evolving integration techniques and leading major distributors, buying groups, and manufacturers! He has seen it all—and he shares it all with us! Join Leo and Randy as they reminisce about their history in the Residential AV Integration space, discuss the current state of the industry, and uncover the keys to success. Discover the importance of adaptability, passion, and mentorship for newcomers in the field, and hear Randy's insights on the changes affecting the integration market today. Is the industry leaning once again toward high-end solutions only? What innovative revolution could be around the corner? Tune in for an energetic conversation filled with wisdom, as Randy highlights how to regain that emotional connection with customers and keep the spirit of innovation alive in a fast-evolving landscape. On the hunt? Visit birddogtalent.com

In this episode of Always on the Hunt, host Leo Golubitsky sits down with Steve Samson, a seasoned corporate leader, entrepreneur, and business development executive in the A/V Industry. Steve shares his journey from building his first AV integration company as a teenager to leading groundbreaking product launches and incredible sales growth at industry giants like Crestron and Lightware. Steve dives into the lessons he's learned along the way, including the importance of creating win-win-win solutions, the different skills required working for large corporations versus upstart companies, and the evolving landscape of the AV industry as it shifts toward software and cloud-based solutions. He also offers valuable insights on leadership, hiring, and the power of positivity in both business and life. Tune in to hear Steve's optimistic outlook for 2025, his thoughts on navigating industry challenges like tariffs, and his advice for candidates and hiring managers alike. Whether you're an industry veteran or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories to help you stay ahead in the ever-changing world of AV.

In this episode of Always on the Hunt, host Leo Golubitsky welcomes Dan Ferrisi to discuss the evolving landscape of the commercial A/V and security industries.  Dan Ferrisi is a technology journalist who covers the commercial A/V and electronic and physical security industries. Currently serving as group editor, commercial and security, Emerald, he oversees the Commercial Integrator and Security Sales & Integration brands. With a focus on helping integrators run their businesses better, Dan and his team have a mission-driven approach to journalism, leaning heavily on business best practices and adaptive evolution to drive greater efficiency and profitability. He's active on the trade show scene and maintains an active presence on social media, including and especially as part of the #avtweeps community. With two decades of experience in technology journalism, Dan shares his unique insights into key trends, including the shift from hardware to software-centric solutions and the growing significance of user experience.  Together, they delve into the ongoing challenges and opportunities surrounding talent acquisition in the industry, highlighting innovative approaches such as internship programs and diversity initiatives. Dan expresses the urgent need for integrators to adapt and evolve in a post-COVID world. Listeners will gain actionable advice on how to navigate their careers in this exciting space, focusing on mentorship and continual learning as crucial components for success. Whether you're a new candidate considering a career in AV or a seasoned integrator looking for ways to enhance your business, you'll want to hear these valuable insights and pragmatic approaches for your professional journey. Are you on the hunt? Visit us at birddogtalent.com

On the second episode of Always On The Hunt, Leo is once again joined by Bayley to provide valuable insights and actionable tips on how to stand out as a candidate in today's competitive job market. They dive into the importance of creating a resume that gets noticed, sharing best practices on tailoring your resume to specific roles, and using templates to make a strong first impression. Leo shares expertise on prioritizing work experience, showcasing your achievements, and asking the right questions. Tune in to learn all about the do's and don'ts, as well as how to effectively handle each step of your candidate journey. This is a must-see episode packed with expert advice to help you land your dream job! Are you on the hunt? Visit us at birddogtalent.com

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Always On The Hunt with Leo Golubitsky, your go-to show for all things AV Recruitment. Join your hosts, Leo and Bailey from Birdog Talent, as they introduce themselves and explore the critical flaws in the recruiting industry that they are determined to fix. In this episode, they unpack why the traditional recruiting model is broken, focusing on high fees, transactional relationships, and the reactive nature of hiring practices that limit opportunities for both clients and candidates alike. Leo and Bailey share their passion for changing the game, one placement at a time, through a more budget-friendly, proactive, and collaborative approach. Together, Leo and Bailey's expertise and insights will help you understand the future of recruitment and why partnering with the right firm can be a game-changer. Whether you're a recruiter, a hiring manager, or a job seeker looking to elevate your career, Always On The Hunt equips you with valuable insights, knowledge, and advice that can only come from industry insiders. Subscribe now and join us on this journey to reimagine recruitment! Remember to share it with your friends and colleagues, and look out for our next episode where we delve deeper into how to make a lasting impression as a candidate. Happy hunting! Are you on the hunt? Visit us at https://birddogtalent.com/

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