This week, we spotlight Michael Skurla. He’s the Chief Product Officer at Radix IoT.
We’d like to congratulate Mike Skurla on his ability to spot trends ahead of time. He developed devices that communicated with each other back in the early 2000s.
And he did it long before anyone used the phrase “Internet of Things.”
Michael Skurla’s Start at Barbizon
How did Skurla see the IoT craze coming from a mile away? Probably because he started working as a field engineer with Barbizon Lighting Group.
That was way back in 2001.
While there, he installed lighting sold by the company’s partners in the Midwest. He also worked with users, consultants, and contractors to design lighting system solutions.
Those are the same kinds of lights you can now turn off and on with your smartphone.
Michael Skurla Jumps Into Marketing at Electronic Theater Controls
After his experience at Barbizon, Skurla spent 8 years working with a company called Electronic Theater Controls.
While there, he worked as a Field Engineer and a Technical Products Manager.
And during that second role is when he got into marketing. He researched market demand and kept an eye on competitors.
He worked to design new, revenue generating, distribution and control products for the US, EU, and Asia markets.
Skurla also managed many development projects. He made sure that ETC products and installations lived up to their promises.
He also worked with project teams so they delivered products on time and under budget.
Beyond that, Skurla helped design software screen layouts on different programs. He used customer research and testing so that ETC delivered user-friendly software.
Philips Lighting
Following his time with ETC, Skurla worked for Philips Lighting. That’s when IoT was taking off.
And he was a big part of making it work for that company.
He began his journey by rationalizing an existing product portfolio into a customer centric product offering.
As a Senior Market Business Development Manager, he handled market research. But also he also led product development for IoT solutions and energy products.
Skurla also created business development programs for connected lighting in North and South America.
Further, he created a sales strategy. He reached new markets and increased sales with existing markets.
How did he do that? By emphasizing overall solutions instead of “out of the box” products.
Skurla also created some partnerships. He did that with education programs that promoted Philips products.
Finally, Skurla worked with industry organizations to help them understand the importance of connected lighting.
Acuity Brands
Mike Skurla worked for Acuity brands from 2016-2018.
While there, he managed IoT projects related to new technologies. And he did it while working with Fortune 100 clients.
He also put on his inventor’s cap and created something called “indoor positioning technologies.”
Additionally, Skurla used info about buildings to help sell more products. Specifically, he developed marketing programs to transition to a more strategic slaes approach.
And, once again, he worked with trade organizations. This time, though, he marketed Acuity’s solutions.
Lucid Design Group
For about a year beginning in 2018, Skurla worked with Lucid Design Group. And, once again, he promoted IoT solutions.
In this role, he worked with customers and partners alike within the commercial building industry.
Skurla also added a partner sales program that helped increase sales.
BitBox USA
After that, Skurla spent about a year as CTO and Marketing Officer for BitBox USA.
In that role, he created a lead generation team that found people likely to buy the company’s IoT solutions.
He worked hard to create targeted marketing campaigns for international clients and established a framework for international partners.
He also developed a digital marketing program that got the word out about BitBox products.
Further, Skurla put together a public relations strategy that also helped more people learn about the company.
But perhaps most important of all, Skurla managed the merger that transformed BitBox USA into Radix IoT.
Michael Skurla’s Current Role at Radix IoT
Mike Skurla currently serves as the Chief Product Officer at Radix IoT.
In that role, he creates products from scratch. Examples include reporting software and telecom solutions.
But it is a dual role, where Skurla manages marketing and thecnical strategy and teams.
Further, he also checks out new tools and technologies. Then, he makes recommendations about which ones would work best at Radix IoT.
Skurla also manages a research team that helps the company get the most out of its products.
Wrapping It Up
Throughout his career, Mike Skurla has worn many hats. That’s what makes him such a valuable part of the Radix IoT team.
I look forward to seeing where he takes this new company in the future.
