2013 Consumer Electronics Show

Yes, it's here again - my effort to scour the web for amazing and offbeat products from the CES floor in Las Vegas. I am not attending the show this year, but as a CES Alumni, I get some neat "insider peak" emails and things I've subscribed to over the years that whet the appetite. Rumors are abundant - transparent TV screens from Samsung, plenty of Android tablets and a few neat phones with features that could be assimilated into industry-leading Samsung, Nokia and Apple devices. I'll zip around and find the gems and report back. CES is an exciting start to my year!

It's about our people.

For our franchisees, concern and focus should be on how they can better serve their clients. Once a year we hold a special conference to address this - improvement across the horizon of activities that touch the end user. We delve into how they can offer top grade service and relevant products to answer a question or remedy a need. For us, the concern is our customer, the franchisee. Backing their efforts with training and guidance, new developments and ideas - this is our calling. The past week in Las Vegas saw the best of both shine brightly. It was our franchisees in search of the information and motivation to succeed and our efforts to deliver such.

I had a good feeling about this year's conference, I thought the increased attendance our team had mustered for the event would make a big difference. It would show the suppliers at the trade show that United Franchise Group franchisees are a powerful arm they can use to market and sell their products. From what I saw and heard regarding our suppliers, this was achieved all day Monday and Tuesday. The increased participation in events we hold solidifies the belief that you're never to far down the path to learn and grow. Franchisees of all tenure levels came to Rio Hotel and dove into the supplier trade show, breakout sessions, and plenty of side meetings for their respective brands. I met with friends from years ago and newer members of our group fresh from training school. Each of them came with their own separate needs and reasons for attending. But for us, for me, the event was all about being with the people we support. Knowing first-hand what their ideas are, where their struggles lie, and determining how we can assist. The various means we have to communicate with the franchisees cannot replace seeing them in person and engaging over a meal or simply a walk down a very long corridor. (Of which there were many!)  I enjoy being a part of what we have built - a network of successful business professionals, each taking a piece of our formula home to launch their franchise. This was a great week!

For those franchisees that couldn't attend, you are now tasked with paying twice as much attention to the communication channels we offer. There will be follow up information sent out regarding new programs and developments introduced at Expo. Suppliers will make good on show specials, sometimes for a limited time after the show. Commit to bringing yourself and your staff to our next event, it is worth the time you spend away from your business. It is worth the money you invest to put yourself in a different place, physically and figuratively, to look at your operation from the outside. The things we can do to support your business are many. Help that cause by being there to accept our very best advice, new findings, corrective action, and enthusiasm. You know we enjoy putting the World Expo event together - it's done on your behalf. A show so large it rivals industry-wide events in the categories in which our franchisees operate. Be a part of it. Because it's about you.

Loving the prep!

Put all this together and make me an Expo, Dave.World Expo time is here - so not a moment is unaccounted for in the office. And now some big chunks of my preparation are happening at home, too. We're baking videos, collecting and making music slices for Awards night, organizing Mentor roundtable meetings, getting set for a few guest appearances for new brands and their panel of experts... it's a vibrant mood. I have a main stage keynote style speech on Wednesday morning, a similar "tech specifics" update for EmbroidMe on Tuesday afternoon, and a nice piece I've found on the Internet to share with our Mentor Group Sunday afternoon to start the show. I'm making props for the opening session of Expo, arranging for a wonderful dinner out with the USA Mentor Chairpersons, which I hope goes as well as the one we did for the Aussie group while in Melbourne. This is really what I know well, getting things organized for the big event. I see event planning as a chess-type exercise. I'm trying to figure out what the attendees will like, what their mood will be, and how to send key points home in their memories. Everyone in our office is somehow involved. Some directly with things like signmaking, scheduling, calling franchisees to boost attendance, working with suppliers for the gi-normous trade show or logistics for our team once we hit Las Vegas. It is for me, the last piece of how we work together teamwise like we used to. I keep saying it to people at work, but only few understand. This effort, this working together, is what was normal with most projects. Now that we've grown, we're big. We have departments. We have layers. We have reports and we have more rules. Bring me back to where we once were, when success was based on all of our abilities combined. We do that now, but it's fragmented by brands and departments, likes and dislikes. I look forward to Expo because the winning formula we employ - direct interaction and teamwork isn't out of style. For our newbies, it's sometimes out of sight. Maybe this Expo will show them more of what I've been saying. It's tough, it's demanding work, but it definitely delivers dividends to franchisees and our company. Could there a better reason to prepare so earnestly?

Expo Intangibles

It's coming in less than two months, the big support event we sponsor for our franchisees. World Expo 2012 is set to fire off April 15-19th in Las Vegas at the Rio All Suites Hotel and Casino. It's a big deal around here, we work for months leading up to the conference to make sure we are delivering what our attendees need. It is an educational experience sharply pointed in the direction our franchisees should be heading. It is suppliers, products, special deals, samples and demonstrations from big names and innovative newcomers that look to have their goodies represented in your business. It is peer-generated excitement, the sharing and learning that comes with close quarters contact over the four day event. It is worth your time and money to attend.

Traditionally we tout the reasons above as why you should attend the event. True, they have merits. But if you've been to the Expo before, you may think, "I know about the new products, thanks Internet, I don't need new equipment, mine works, and I just can't afford it, time or money-wise this year." If these thoughts or similar have been in your head, I need to have your attention for 3 minutes. That's all it would take to discover what things an Expo brings to you that you don't see coming, won't see on the brochure, and probably need in your business. Here's my take on Expo Intangibles...

• Confidence - You will come home more confident about what's possible in your business. That will happen in breakout sessions when you give time to learn what's new and working for others, as provided by franchisees and suppliers. This is not industry-wide knowledge, it's relevant tips and ideas that work - especially for you from those who share your brand. 
• Energy - In all my past dealings with franchisees, I have NEVER spoken with anyone that came back from Expo and didn't have a new "fire" under their shorts to get into the things they found at our event. It could be marketing and sales ideas, technology advances, operational things, new ways to organize, new gadgets to buy. It always happens, you come home ready to move a bit quicker. You need that!
• Grounding - Knowing the truth can help you focus on what's possible. It's great to set goals and strive and reach, but you'll dissappoint yourself if you set unreasonable and unattainable goals. Come see what is happening among the others that are breaking records. How many employees did she have? What type of promotion worked best? Stop kidding yourself, the collective knowledge at Expo feeds your growth with the truth. Come see the facts as provided by your peers. Then return home and chase your records.
• Friends - You have some from Training School, you know other local franchisees from meetings in your area, make a trip to feel good about those that you know and enjoy being around. Eat drink and see Las Vegas. You work hard, when do you reward yourself and make memories about your business that aren't 100% business related? Expo time!
• Dream - If there's one thing I like doing that always motivates me, it's seeing the best of the best perform. How do they do it? Are they different from me? I watch, I listen and I learn. Attend the Awards events and see just how far people have taken the same concept you practice each week in your community. Know that they started just like you, probably not an industry expert, fresh out of training school and green. Many of our superstars came to an Expo early on in their careers and said, "That's going to be me." And it is today. Start your dream at Rio.

We want as many people as possible to join in the Expo experience. The theme is Reconnect, Refocus and Revitalize. That's what Expo can do for your business! We have discounts on airfares this year, that's helpful. We have a great hotel serving as the base of the event. If you would consider going to one event to help your business over the course of a calendar year, why not attend the one that's custom made for you? Make a move that will springboard your 2012 plans into high gear. Register for the World Expo today.   Expo Website.

CES - Tech for you and tech for me.

January, 2011, Las Vegas - It would be easy to get caught up in the thousands, really thousands of things going on in the Las Vegas Convention Center during the CES convention. From smart washing machines to every imaginable accessory for iPods, iPhones, etc.  In the past, CES was comprised of computing technology and electronics, merged here and there.  Guess what? The computers are gone - they are now built into most devices and those devices are mobile and tiny. Unlike past CES shows, I didn't arrive for the big blast of a beginning, I came for the final two days of the show. It is still very crowded, but I had a better opportunity to browse and do what I wanted with some of the attendees tired or gone after the first few days.  I saw some amazing things, many breakthroughs that won't go mainstream or make a difference to most of us for over a year. When they do, you'll be somewhat knowledgeable as to how and why as a result of skimming this posting.

• Intel's newest chip w/graphics processor onboard. Its the tiny thing in her hand.Intel has successfully incorporated the graphics processor on the main CPU chip of a computer.  This is a HUGE leap forward. Nothing processes as fast as elements on the same slab of silicon, now the speed and power you need for graphics and display are directly put on the main brain of the computer. Today your system has a graphics card that has it's own memory, takes up an expansion slot in your machine and must be made compatible to your motherboard.  In the soon to be upon us future, no need for this. Memory for the computer will assist graphics and the speed will be incredible. Think super high definition, very fast refresh rates and 3D.  

• Heart rate monitor for the iPhone or iPod Touch? Yes... Scosche produces a wristwatch-like band called My Trek that allows you to incorporate the screen and processing power of an "i-Product" to be the readout for your heart rate information. Neat!

• Comfy little pointer device for portablesSwiftpoint Mouse device - Because Microsoft designed a two button mouse in the early 90s means we have to keep that shape forever? Not so says Swiftpoint, designer of a GUI pointing device that fits between the pointer finger and thumb and allows for control of your screen cursor as would any mouse. Touted as a tool that won't lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, its ergonometric design fits naturally in your hand and feels like a natural match for computing. Using the little click buttons takes a sec to get used to, but I see this catching on if they can include it with new systems and get it into popular retailers so folks can try it and feel the difference.  I still use regular mouse products, but would use this Swiftpoint mouse for my laptop or desktop.

• Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse - I tried this one, too! It's a mouse designed for portable use, it retracts to be a flat wallet-like object when your not using it. This fits easily into your pocket or laptop bag minus the lumpy bulge a regular mouse would deliver. Plus, like the touch pad of a laptop - it has a strip of metallic material that allows you to scroll up and down minus a roller wheel. As tablets become more the norm, my only question is could this product have arrived two years late?

• Powered by office lighting?Logitech wireless solar keyboard - Wireless keyboards are cool, 'til the batteries run low or die.  How about one that charges and stores power through two solar panels on its top side? Good idea, but how many of us have an office with a window or compute outdoors? Solved. The solar units are capable of using ANY light, indoors in an office or home! That's a winner.

• Fuseproject Mint - A robotic floor cleaner and vacuum. Kinda like Roomba but Mint does wet mopping and vacuuming.  They claim it uses the latest technology for guidance around your home, chair legs, tables, etc. to "never miss a spot."  I did not try this myself, but saw plenty of people at the booth marveling over it.  I have tile floors, this thing would be very nice to own.

• Ty Handset fob ID chips - Do you have valuables and electronics that you fear misplacing or losing? This product answers most of that concern. You load the provided app on your smartphone (not yet available on iPhone) and attach the small round chips to things you value.  Examples shown in Vegas were a camera, wallet, car keys, a child and a pet collar.  If the objects go outside a 50ft range of bluetooth communication with your phone, an audio or visual alarm triggers in your phone notifying you of the instance.  You can set the alarm to fire off at one of three sensitivities, depending on how close you'd like the objects tagged with the little round fob chips to wander.  You get 7 ID chips to attach to your possessions. The Ty system also and most importantly warns you with LED lights and a buzzer if you leave your phone behind, which is important if you plan on using this phone-based system.  Ok idea, but they need to add iPhone functionality.

• Samsung LED TVs are brilliant!TV tech - Larger TVs were NOT the rage this year. The sizes were the same as two years ago as far as I could tell. 3D was the big push last year, so for 2011 content and Internet integration was the sparkle in many manufacturer's offerings. Samsung had brilliant displays, their 8000 series were LED and featured thin, sleek brushed stell bezels.  Want, want, want.  They claimed the first TV app store, Samsung's Smart Hub system, which made app-like icons for premium channels, sports subscriptions, Netflix, etc. as well as managing your personal media, photos, videos and music.  Sony had Google TV running with the help of their Blue ray players. Neat, but the real prize for TV/Internet mingling goes to Logitech for their Revue product. It is a small box with wireless keyboard that connects wirelessly or wired to your home Internet connection, then to your TV and cable/satellite provider.  Using Google TV logic, it allows searching of all media, external hard drives plugged into Revue, the TV directory, and the whole Internet for content. Picture in picture allow you to watch a show, bring up Google or any other web page, shop, search, update Facebook during commercials, anything you would do with a laptop or tablet while watching TV. Only difference is this is all happening on your big HD TV display with surround sound. (If you have a big HD TV and surround sound of course, that not included with Revue!)  IT is an amazing product that will be normal in all homes in 3 years, as normal as cable and satellite service.  Logitech and Google got this one right. Unfortunately for me, upon arrival back home, I learn my 65" TV is HD but 1st generation, before HDMI was the standard.  That's the only way Revue connects to your TV, so for me its' not just $299 for Revue, it's a new TV with HDMI hookups as well.  :(  This was the best product I saw at CES though!

• USB 3.0 - It's time for a new connectivity option, right? USB 3.0 is the same type of "connect on the fly" interface but it is 10 times faster than current USB 2.0 you have on your laptop or PC.  That's significantly more than you can wrap your imagination around, especially when you see what that type of speed means to new peripherals and devices.  See next item for an example...

• Enterprise monitor uses USB 3.0 to make magic!About the only thing that hasn't gone wireless over the years are monitors, right? How could you possibly transmit that much data over the air to update and refresh today's nice big hi-res screens? Answer: USB 3.0.  Samsung's line of Enterprise monitors are starting to come with a USB 3.0 dongle that attaches to your laptop. The advantages of enterprise monitors are that they are big and can change orientation to portrait or traditional landscape.  So pull up to your desk with a comparably smaller laptop screen and what happens? If you have Samsung's latest, you put the USB 3.0 dongle in the laptop and when it's close enough (A few feet is close enough) your laptop screen takes over the enterprise monitor's screen and you have a whopping big display! See picture for example - this is what USB 3.0 will bring to us. Wireless printing even faster, photo downloads, gaming, it will be a significant difference.

More to follow... next we'll look at the clearly non-business and fun side of CES. With 2700 exhibiting companies, it can't all be suits and penny loafers, right?

-dm