Moen: 4 Ways to Plug into the Connected Home Boom

How can you capitalize on the connected home boom and give your customers the safer, easier, more comfortable home environment they crave?

1. Learn the language of smart home technology, so you can confidently discuss it with your customers and sell them on the benefits. There is no official definition for smart homes or smart home products, but this version, developed by CNET and Coldwell Banker Real Estate in 2017, is a good place to start:
   • “A true smart home should be equipped with network-connected products (via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or similar protocols) for controlling, automating and optimizing functions such as temperature, lighting, security, safety or entertainment, either remotely by a phone, tablet, computer or a separate system within the home itself.” (The Washington Post)
2. Refuse the urge to incorporate tech for tech’s sake. So many manufacturers have jumped onto the smart home bandwagon that it can be difficult for builders and remodelers to sort through the clutter. Remember, the best smart home products have a meaningful value proposition. Think about how these products will make your customers’ lives easier, not just how they boost the home’s “cool factor.”
3. Stay in the know on connected home products and trends. With smart home technology advancing so quickly, it’s easy to fall behind and miss out on new opportunities. Stay in the know with these great resources:
   • Emarketer
   • Houzz
   • Kitchen & Bath Design News
   • Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

4. Put yourself in the homebuyer’s shoes. Think about how your own family lives at home. What are some of the tools and resources that would make your home more comfortable? For example, the U by Moen^_TM digital shower system, now with voice activation, makes it easy for homeowners to create a personalized shower experience for everyone in the family, from the teenager with twice-daily swim practices to the mother who craves a spa-like experience after a long week.

Remember, the best way to plug into the connected home market is to make sure you’re connected to your target customer. Stop by the Moen^® booth at this year’s DCX Summit to get a look into the mindset of your target customer and to learn how to forge better connections with them.