Lighting & Controls Consulting

We don't learn your industry on your dime.

Connected Expertise brings 30+ years of lighting and controls experience to manufacturers, agents, distributors, and facility teams who need a partner, not a generalist.

30+Years in Lighting & Controls
300+Engagements Completed
50+Markets Served

From the Founder

I started Connected Expertise because I kept seeing the same problem: companies bringing in consultants who had to spend the first six months learning the industry before they could add any value. That's not consulting — that's on-the-job training at your expense.

We come in already knowing lighting and controls. We know the manufacturers, the channel dynamics, the specification process, the energy codes, and the technology. That means we can focus on your specific challenge from day one.

— Larry Smith, Founder

New Programs

Built for the lighting industry

ProSync Services

One desk for every project task, handled by people who know lighting.

One online desk for lighting and controls projects. Submit BOMs, request quotes, place and track orders, and file warranty and technical requests, all tied to one project record and handled by lighting specialists.

From BOM to warranty, always in sync.

BenchSync Recruiting

Hire people who already know how lighting gets specified, sold and installed.

BenchSync is our recruiting program for lighting and controls companies. We screen candidates the way we screen consultants — by what they've actually done in the industry.

A bench built from 30+ years in lighting and controls.

"We don't learn your industry on your dime."

— Connected Expertise LLC

Industry-first

Every engagement starts with what we already know about lighting and controls — not a learning curve at your expense.

Vendor-neutral

We don't take referral fees or resale margin. Our recommendations are based on what's right for your business.

Outcome-focused

We measure success by what changes in your business, not by deliverables produced or hours billed.

Insights

From the field

Why Most Lighting Manufacturers Lose the Specification Battle Before It Starts
Strategy6 min read

Why Most Lighting Manufacturers Lose the Specification Battle Before It Starts

The specification process is won or lost long before a project goes to bid. Here's where manufacturers consistently fall short.

Read more
What Distributors Actually Want From Manufacturer Reps
Channel5 min read

What Distributors Actually Want From Manufacturer Reps

After hundreds of conversations with distributors, the answer is simpler than most manufacturers expect.

Read more
The Hidden Cost of Disconnected Project Software
Operations7 min read

The Hidden Cost of Disconnected Project Software

Most lighting contractors don't realize how much margin leaks between their estimating, procurement, and M&V tools.

Read more

Client Results

Proven Outcomes

View All Case Studies
Rep Network Realignment Drives 31% Revenue Growth
Channel Development

Mid-Market Lighting Manufacturer

Rep Network Realignment Drives 31% Revenue Growth

31%

Revenue Growth

3

New Markets

12 mo

Time to Results

Controls Portfolio Differentiation Wins $4.2M in New Specifications
Technology Strategy

Lighting Controls Integrator

Controls Portfolio Differentiation Wins $4.2M in New Specifications

$4.2M

Specifications Won

14

Projects

22%

Shorter Sales Cycle

Client Perspectives

What clients say

Connected Expertise helped us rethink our entire channel strategy. Within six months we had a rep network that was actually aligned with our go-to-market goals — and the results showed up in our numbers.

VP of Sales

Mid-Market Lighting Manufacturer

Manufacturer

We were struggling to differentiate our controls offering from the competition. The team brought a level of specification-market knowledge we simply couldn't find anywhere else. They understand how decisions get made in this industry.

Director of Business Development

Regional Lighting Distributor

Distributor

The energy code landscape was becoming a real barrier for our clients. Connected Expertise turned our compliance challenge into a selling point — our team now leads with it.

Principal

Lighting Controls Integrator

Integrator

We had a solid turnkey lighting product but no real demand engine. Connected Expertise helped us build an ESCO-focused strategy from the ground up — identifying the right partners, positioning our offering around performance contracting, and training our team to speak the ESCO language. Within a year we had active pipeline we never would have found on our own.

President

Turnkey Lighting Solutions Provider

Manufacturer

We were a strong rep agency but had never seriously pursued the ESCO channel. Connected Expertise helped us build a dedicated ESCO sales track — from identifying the right energy service companies in our territory to training our team on performance contracting language and project economics. We closed our first ESCO-driven project within eight months and now treat it as a core part of our business.

Principal

Multi-Line Lighting Manufacturers' Rep Agency

Rep Agency

As a Tier 1 manufacturer, we had the product portfolio and the brand — what we lacked was a coherent Energy Solutions strategy that our sales organization could actually execute. Connected Expertise helped us define the offering, align it with our existing channel, and build the internal playbook our team needed to sell and implement energy solutions at scale. The result was a repeatable program that our reps could lead with confidence and our customers could trust.

Vice President, Energy Solutions

Tier 1 Lighting Manufacturer

Manufacturer

Get Started

Not sure where to start?

A Growth Diagnostic is a focused 90-minute session where we map your current situation, identify the highest-leverage opportunities, and give you a clear picture of where to focus first.

Flat fee. No ongoing commitment required.

Schedule a Growth Diagnostic

Ready to work with people who already know lighting?

Whether you need a channel strategy, a specification roadmap, or a recruiting search — we're ready to start.

Schedule a Consultation