From Landlines to Smart Cities: Consumer Electronics President Shares the Evolution of Tech Demand Over 40 Years

In today’s episode of the podcast, we speak with Ted Ko, President of Techko Group, a family-run consumer electronics company. Ko kicks off by sharing how his father started the company in 1982, originally starting out with landline telephones and evolved into a diverse range of consumer electronics. He also mentions how, for younger generations who don’t know what landline phones are, he references the TV show "Stranger Things" to help them understand. Ko highlights the unique aspects of his role, which involves overseeing both big-picture strategy and day-to-day operations. He describes a typical day that starts with coffee and strategic planning, emphasizing the company's commitment to achieving quarterly and monthly goals. The conversation then moves on to how the company has branched into home and office security, office equipment, robotic vacuum cleaners, and now outdoor solar lighting.  And Ko discusses how the company recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of continuous innovation and adaptation to changing consumer needs. We then talk about smart cities, where Ko delves into Techko's role in building smart cities and their focus on sustainability. He discusses the philosophy behind their solar lighting products, which prioritize simplicity, reliability, and energy efficiency.  Ko also shares that, for him, smart cities mean systems that operate seamlessly without constant user intervention and how that aligns with Techko’s vision. We also dive into case studies of how Techko's products have positively impacted users' lives.  Ko highlights the importance of Techko's pool alarms in ensuring the safety of children in homes with pools. And Ko describes the creativity of customers who have used Techko's solar lights in unconventional settings, such as boats in remote locations. Finally, Ko explains how Techko Group differentiates itself in this crowded market by focusing on quality, thoughtful design, and alignment with personal values. And how , rather than getting bogged down by the competition, Techko prioritizes delivering genuine value to customers. Links 🔗 Our Guest🙋: Find out more about Ted Ko here (LinkedIn) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamtedko/ Find out more about Techko Group (website) - https://techkogroup.com/ Brains Byte Back 🧠👨‍💻🎙️: Leave an iTunes review here - https://apple.co/3i60XWu Subscribe on Youtube here - https://bit.ly/3o1M4Z3 Follow us on your favorite podcast platform here - https://bit.ly/3kTfNkY Our Sponsor 💻☎️: Find out more about our sponsor Publicize here - https://bit.ly/3X6p7SB