What's the Big Idea?

Ron Davis' popular columns from Security Sales & Integration Magazine. The source for his first book, "Greatest Ideas of the alarm industry's greatest thinkers."

| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 |

2021

Understand Your True Labor Costs April 2021, David Carter, NetOne

I've Been Everywhere, Man January 2021, Ron Davis

2020

Doing Whatever It Takes December 2020
Jeremy Bates, Bates Security

Rebuilding Relationships after COVID
October 2020
Corey Schott, Dehart Alarm Systems

Don't Let Dour Times Sour Your Sense of Humor October 2020, A,J, Gomez

Locksmiths: A Dealer's Secret Referral Weapon July 2020
Michael Karch, Floyd Total Security

Embracing Changes to Achieve Success May 2020
Daniel Oppenheim, Affiliated Monitoring

Why Your Business Should Always Be for Sale April 2020
Michael Marks, retired, co-founder of Perenial Software

Focus on Problems, Not Symptoms March 2020
Kirk MacDowell, MacGuard Security Advisors

Don't Do a Deal Without an M&A Pro February 2020
Madelaine Lock, SmartWatch/Sciens

Do You Want Your Kid in Your Alarm Business February 2020
Ken Kirschenbaum, Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum, P.C.

Ask Yourself How to Keep Employees Happy January 2020
Jim Corbett, United Alarm Services

2019

Encourage Employees to Immerse Themselves in Your Business October 2019
Debra Horvath, Reliable Fire and Security

Discuss New Ideas Daily September 2019
Marshall Marinace, Marshall Alarm Systems

Don't Try to Be Everything to Everyone August 2019
Jeff Cohen, Quick Response

You Can Never Invest Too Much in Training July 2019
Stephen DeMolina, Micro Security Systems Integration

Priortize Proprietary Service for Residential Success March 2019
Randall Renfroe, Allstate Security Industries

Rosy New Commercial Opportunities in Bloom February 2019
Dan Rose, ADT

Smart Moves Help Score Pot of Gold January 2019
John Doyle, Doyle Security

2018

Lessons From Failure Feed Fulfillment December 2018
Lou Resweber, NuLife Sciences

Traveling the Rugged Road to Success October 2018
Bob Bonifas, Alarm Detection Systems

Probing Prospects for Biggest Fear Factor September 2018
Phil Aronson, Aronson Security Group (ASG)

Mountain of Benefits Eases Decision to Sell August 2018
Frank Bauer, Proguard Protective Services

Have You Faced a Midlife Business Crisis? June 2018
Reggie Harmon, Allied Security

Open More Doors with 1-Stop Shopping May 2018
You Need to Own the Home Security, Jack Schultz, Metronet Integration

Celebrating a Departed Industry Stalwart April 2018
Remembering Rod Garner, AvantGuard Monitoring Centers

No Fear Factor Embracing Integrated Systems March 2018
Doug and Lois Fearing, Fearing's Audio Video Security

Can You Write the Book on Your Clients? February 2018
Greg Coury, Global Security

Which Type of Monitoring Center is for You? January 2018
Tim Sproul, Total Monitoring Center (TMS)

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2017

Youth Movement Requires the Right Investment December 2017
Alan Gillmore, Gillmore Security

Prepare to Profit by Investing in Internships November 2017
Angela White, ESA and Central Security

Follow Up and Follow the RMR Money October 2017
Roy BrachFeld, N.A.S. Security Systems

Why Most Dealers Are Still Missing Out September 2017
Jerry Lenander, California Alarm Association

Family Matters Don't Include Playing Favorites August 2017
Brian Duffy, Per Mar Security Services

Leave Every Jobsite With These Parting Words June 2017
Mark Gray turns referrals into sales gold

The Art of the Surprisingly Easy Deal April 2017
Sometimes they're really are smooth deals

Behind-the-scenes Peek at Selling a Business March 2017
Working with Jill Oliver to sell her business

Financing Lends Hand in Grasping Your Biz February 2017
Jim Wooster says financing is the easy part

Get Your Big Picture Into Focus Now January 2017
Ron Davis on planning ahead for the short and long term

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2016

Become Captain Crunch With Your Numbers December 2016
Ralph Sevinor, Wayne Alarm Systems

Honoring a Guardian of the Industry's Good Name November 2016
Doug Pierce, Guardian Alarms

Bridging the Dealers-Trade Groups Gap October 2016
Simon and Garfunkel?

Take Cues from Amazon's Customer Obsession September 2016
Scott Davis, Chief Growth Officer, Prophet

Overcome Problems Dealing with Problems August 2016
Wayne Boggs, RIchmond Alarm

Customer Service and Building Relationships Pay Dividends July 2016
Dick Sampson, American Alarm

R&D Can Keep Your Future in Focus June 2016
Bob Bitton, Supreme Security Systems

Lessons From a 'Nonconscious Leader' May 2016
The late Jim Brannen

Carve Out Your Niche for a Competitive Edge April 2016
Josh Garner, AvantGuard Monitoring Centers

Do You Sell What Customers Want? March 2016
Brad Morehead, LiveWatch Security

What Makes Your Company Stand Out? February 2016
Bob Bonifas, Alarm Detection Systems

Keep Reaching for Something Grander January 2016
Peder Kolind, Brinks Home Security

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2015

Learning How to Just Say 'No' Sometimes December 2015
Stanley Oppenheim, DGA Security & Affiliated Monitoring

Taking Character to the Bank, November 2015
Mark Melendes, Security Industry Financing Division, The Private Bank, Chicago, IL

How to Tell When It's Time for Change, October 2015
Steve Rubin, Davis M&A Group

Swim Upstream to Avoid Competitive Waters, September 2015
Dorsie Mosher, Davis M&A Group

Don't Wait for Opportunity to Knock August 2015
Jay Hauhn, CSAA

Does Your Value Proposition Need Altering? July 2015
Trey Alter, CEO, Dynamark Security Centers, Hagerstown, MD

Old School Ethos Can Reap Rewards, June 2015
Don Young, COO, Protection 1

On a Mission to Protect Kids, May 2015
Dale Williams, President, Digitar Inc., Boise, ID

Does Bold's Vision of the Future Fit Your Plans? April 2015
Chuck Speck, President, Bold Technologies, Colorado Springs, CO

Don't Undervalue Knowledge and Passion, March 2015
Bill Doherty, President, and Reuben Orr, VP, Security Install Solutions

Connected Devices Connect Us With Societal Impact, February 2015
Michael Marks, Co-founder, Perennial Software

Embracing Family Matters to Enrich & Energize Business, January 2015
John SPerrazza, Sales Manager, Advanced Alarm, Buffalo, NY

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2014

Work Tirelessly to Reach the Summit, December 2014
Alex QuirinCEO, Advisory Summit Partners

Everyone Can Agree on Customer Service's Impact, November 2014
Texas Burglar and Fire Alarm Associatoin leaders

Education Remains Important Rung On Ladder to Success, October 2014
Matthew Ladd, President, The Protection Bureau, Exton, PA

Take Advantage of Starting Over, September 2014
Joel Matlin, Matlin Creative

Crowd-Sourcing for Some Takeaways, August 2014
Dale Eller, Executive Director, PBFAA

Adding Value for Both Customers and Employees, July 2014
Eric Yunag, President, CEO, Dakota Security Systems, Sioux Falls, SD

Customer Service is Bigger in Texas, June 2014
John Delongchamp, President, CFI Security, El Paso, TX

Molding a Super Model for Success, May 2014
Ron Davis answers his own question

3 Steps to Avoiding Financial Suprises, April 2014
Mark Gronowski, Partner, Barnes Associates

Another Side to Hall of Famer's Story, March 2014
Pat Egan, Founder, Select Security, Lancaster, PA

Education at the Essence of Success February 2014
Jorge Tapanes, President/CEO, Horizon Security Systems, Hialeah FL

Employing Honesty as an Operating Policy January 2014
Marc Katz, Law Offices of Marc P. Katz, LLC, Indianapolis, IN

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2013

Rewards of Professionalism and Competance December 2013
Ralph Masino, CFO ASG Security, Beltsville, MD

Create Magic With 3rd Party Monitoring Provider October 2013
Rodney Hooker, President, DIspatch Center, San Antonio TX

Let Your Customers Call the Shots September 2013
Bob Williams, President, Briscoe Protective Systems, Centereach NY

Paying Tribute to An Industry Pioneer September 2013
Jim Stevens co-founder, SAI

Understanding Why Change is a Good Thing August 2013
Bob Scales, President, Safeguard Alarms, Kansas City MO

Seizing the Future With an Ideal and a Question June 2013
Mark EIn, Owner/Manager, Kastle Systems

Stay True to Tenets of Marketing Plan Best Practices May 2013
Ivan Scharer, Former President, First Alert Professional

Your Attrition May Be Worse Than Imagined April 2013
Anastasia Bottos, Exec. VP, Alarm Capital Alliance

Seeing Through the Eyes of The Customer, March 2013
Art Romero, President, Imaginist Inc., Salinas CA

Why Cash Flow is King February 2013
Michael Marks, Co-founder, Sedona Office

Vivint CEO Grinds His Way to the Top, and Then Some January 2013
Todd Petersen, CEO, Vivint Inc., Provo UT

How to 'Pay it Forward' and Reap Big Rewards December 2012
John Sperrazza, President, Advanced Alarm Inc, Buffalo NY

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2012

Preserve Stories of Our Industry Leaders November 2012
Dale Elliott, Owner/President, Allstate Security Industries, Amarillo TX

Lessons in Customer Service by Way of the Caribbean October 2012
Michael Aboud, Chairman, Amalgamated Security Systems, Trinidad

Reaping Rewards From Industry Participation September 2012.
Dale Eller, Executive Director, NYFAA

True Meaning of Serving the Customer Aug 2012
Chet Donati, President, DMC Security Services, Midiothian, IL

Enriching Your Industry Experience With Your LIfe Partner July 2012
Remembering Louise Lombardi

Why RMR is King in the Alarm Industry June 2012
John Raiger, Owner, Electronics Systems of Illinois, New Lenox IL

The Art of Learning From the Peers Among You May 2012
Don Wilkins Jr., President, LLSSA

Serve Up a Smile to Everyone You Meet April 2012
Lou Resweber, President/CEO, Pelican Security Network, Baton Rouge LA

Making RMR a Recurring Theme April 2012
Mike Miller cites Ron Davis as mentor and industry icon

Let Your Actions Do the Talking March 2012
Gregory Torre, President, Electronic Security Corp of America, Woodlyn PA

Bang Your Business' Drum to Brand and Expand February 2012
Scott Goldfine, Editor-In-Chief, Security Sales & Integration

How Service to the Industry Can Benefit Your Business January 2012
Charles D'Ascoli, President, Electronic Security Association

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2011

Lauding Alarm Industry Pioneers November 2011
Alan Glasser Executive Director, MBFAA of New York

Why Candor Should Be a Guiding Principle October 2011
Tom Eggebrecht, President/CEO, Bonds Alarm Co., Phoenix AZ

Striking a Personal-Professional Life Balance September 2011
Bryan and April Cochran, Owners, Systems Technologies, Palm Springs CA

Successful Partners in Marriage and Work August 2011
Ron and Beverly Davis

Ask Not What Your Industry Can Do for You, June 2011
Steve Doyle, Executive Director, CSAA

8 Is Enough, June 2011
Andy Snyder, Co-Owner, L.V. Systems, Oklahoma City, OK

Keep Pace With Market Evolution to Remain Relevant, May 2011
Merlin Guibeau, Executive Director, Electronic Security Association (ESA)

Hot Prospects May Be Closer Than You Think, April 2011
Johnny Hudson, Manager, ADI, Raleigh NC

The Industry is Calling. Are You Going to Answer? March 2011
Jerry Tester, Owner, Security Alert, Winterville NC

Changing Landscape Emphasizes Need for Education, February 2011
Jerry Tester, Owner, Security Alert, Winterville NC

Scandal Shows Need for Quality Association Volunteers, January 2011
Chet Donati, President, IESA

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2010

Mind the Basics on Your Way to Building Profits, November 2010
Tim Thompson, CPA, Catalyst Consulting, Green Bay WI

Failure Is Nothing to Fear, September 29, 2010
Brad Humphries, GM, Indiana Security Systems, Mishawaka IN

Success Is All in the Details, September 2010
David Guyette, Executive VP, Per Mar Security, Davenport IA

Haste Can Make Waste, August 2010
Jeff Cohen with Jim and Carrie Osborn, U.S. Protective Services

Pursue Your Goals With Steely Resolve July 2010
Tim Whall, Protection One

On Being a Pro ... 24/7 June 2010
Ken Kirschenbaum, Attorney

Tapping Into First-Rate Lawyerly Advice May 2010
Marc Katz, Law Offices of Marc P. Katz, LLC, Indianapolis, IN

Rack Brains With Your Peers April 2010
Kit Vail, Executive Director, ESTA, Minneapolis MN

Observe, Act, Repeat March 2010
Joe Nuccio, CEO, ASG Security, Beltsville MD

A 'Few" Buying and Selling Tips February 2010
Tommy Few, Industry Consultant, CA

Protect Your Jewels, January 2010
Paul Sargenti, President, S.A.F.E., San Ramon CA

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2009

Heating Up Over Summer Programs December, 2009
Alex Dunn, COO, APX Alarm Security Solutions, Provo UT

9 Steps to Succession Planning October, 2009
Ron Davis, Davis Mergers & Acquisitions Group

Head for Figures Gets You Ahead September, 2009
David Hood, General Manager, FIrst Alarm, Aptos CA

'I Can See Clearly Now' July 2009
Harvey Cohen, President, Response-Ability Inc., Long Island NY

Be a Big Brother April 2009
Steve Sopkin, President, Mijac Alarm, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Taking a Leap of Faith March 2009
Bill McEvilly, Owner, Santoro Communications Group, Huntley IL

Choose Your Friends Wisely February 2009
Dean Belisle, President, BFAAM, MI

Right on the Money January 2009
Claude Roy, Founder/President, Stanley Alarm, Bay City MI

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2008

Community Outreach Stimulates Growth November 2008
Mike Polizzi, CEO, American Burglary & Fire, St. Louis, MO

Pay for Quality, It's Worth It October 2008
Robert Few, COO, Legacy Security Services, SC

Unleashing Your Creativity September 2008
Mike Miller, VP, Moon Security, Pasco WA

The industry's future is in their hands August 2008
SSN's 2nd Annual 20 under 40 issue introduced by Ron Davis.

Are You in the Driver's Seat? August 2008
Mike Duffy, President, Per Mar Security, Davenport IA

Following up on Success July 2008
Tony Wilson, President, Critical Monitoring Services, Chicago IL

Embrace the Common Denominator of Success June 2008
Audrey Pierson, Pierson Security, Monterey CA

Never Go Against the Family May 2008
Steve Berniklau, President, Home Security Systems, Albuquerque NM

Finding Your Exit Strategy April 2008
Doug Pierce, Chief Executive, Guardian Security, Detroit MI

Develop Your Own Advisory Board March 2008
George Gunning, President, NBFAA

Grooming others to follow in your footsteps
Darren Mueller, Branch Manager, ADI, Milwaukee WI

Surround yourself with the brightest people you can find
Brett Bean, President, F. E. Moran Alarm and Monitoring, Urbana IL

Look at the Industry with Fresh Eyes February 2008
David Stang, Executive VP, Bank of America, Chicago IL

Going With Your Gut Instinct January 2008
Brett Bean, President, F. E. Moran Alarm and Monitoring, Urbana IL

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2007

Taking Care of the Customer December 2007
Time Wahl, President/COO, HSM Electronic Protection, Lisle IL

Think Like a Customer November 2007
Joel Matlin, President/CEO, AlarmForce, NY

Molding Tomorrow's Leaders October 2007
Mel Mahler, ADS Security, Nashville TN

Building Strong Relationships September 2007
Rod Garner, Mountain Alarm, Ogden UT

Associations Offer an Aggregation of Answers August 2007
John Lombardi, CIA Security, NY

Don't Sell Yourself Short January 2007
Ron Davis, Davis Mergers& Acquisitions Group