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August 2016

The Pasture of least resistance

I always find it refreshing to run from the Status Quo. The leader who if wore a t-shirt describing their persona truthfully would read this “Everything I hear which makes me do something different I have an excuse or reason why it won’t work.” And on the t-shirts back it would read this. “Really I am the reason it won’t work”

We all know these people they find themselves comfortable and with this comfort they develop their protection zone. This protection zone keeps people that will challenge them at bay, this protection zone is where they gather those who think and act like them. I call this protection zone.

 “The Pasture of least resistance” 

The gathering place for the like-minded who insist on keeping things as they are, they feed off their insecurities, they protect each other from outside influences, and rarely do they ever create something new. This pasture is where you find managers who refuse to challenge themselves to become leaders.

 I thought it would be beneficial to list some of the responses to change you will hear from those who reside in this Pasture of least resistance in case they refuse to wear the t-shirt I described.

That will never work, we can’t do things that fast, our budget is already set, our leadership will never change, our customers would never agree to that, our employees will never be happy with that. The list of excuses could fill its own book. 

When you are looking to improve something never discuss those thoughts of improvement with individuals who live in the Pasture of least resistance. When you find yourself at the gate of this pasture go to the farm house and talk with the one who has control over who gets in their pasture. Sometimes those in the pasture just need to be replaced, maybe the farmer thought everyone was happy in the pasture so things must be good. My experience always showed me that the farmer can see more of the future than those in his pasture. However, sometimes the sun, from those bright sunny days gets in the farmers eyes temporarily blocking their vision.

So don’t waste your time with people so focused on why things can’t be done, look for those who focus on why things should be done, and have the ability to use their own imagination, and are enthused in welcoming the imaginations of others.

If you’re in this pasture make the discussion escape or simply wait for expulsion from the old farmer or the new farmer he sells to. The world we all live in is constantly changing when we welcome and accept this fact is when we become creators of change instead of victims of circumstance.

Ray Stasieczko          

You're In Sales Your Brand Does Matter... 5 Creative Ways Sales Reps Can Become Brand Magnets

"What do you wish for people to associate with you when they think of your name?"

As sales rep,Your brand whether you believe it or not is extremely important to your success in this highly connected, digital business world.

How much time and effort are you dedicating to building your personal brand? 


You do have a brand. It is what people associate with you; it is WHY your professional and personal network seeks you out for information.

Social media is everywhere. It is deeply rooted in our society. You have not only the ability but you now MUST manage your own reputation both online and offline as a sales rep. When you interact with your prospects and clients they'll build up an image of who you are over time.

You MUST be in control of all of those impressions.

Why leave your professional reputation to chance, when you can be your own public relations guru and manage your image?

Attention to all sales reps... Buyers are increasingly googling not just the company but YOU before a sales meeting. More than likely, they will also reach out to their networks or better yet they may open up the digital business door, your LinkedIn profile.

What's behind your LinkedIn door could determine your future sales success. Repeat after me the word, "VET"... Get it?

Personal branding is about taking control of the messages your prospects and clients get back. I guarantee, if you don’t control those messages then someone else will. 

A great article by Michael Simmons, How To Bulletproof Your Reputation In The Digital Age. Online reputation platforms help others understand who we are and what we do. Further into the article...

Why You Need To Understand

  • Your online reputation is your reputation
  • Who you are in one area will be how you are perceived in all areas
  • Reputation is often more important than money
  •  Other people can more easily make their opinions of you go viral

The question becomes, how do you become more recognizable? How do you build your authority? How do you build becoming the subject matter expert? How do you create your following?

I encouraged management to foster a branding environment and lead their sales team; guide them to create their professional brand by helping them build their credibility, trust and value through their website; their LinkedIn profile. Foster a "brand magnetized" sales culture. Creating brand magnets directly influences and can escalate your corporate brand as well.

Successful sales reps create their unique brand and rise above the noise! To all sales reps out there, please think about the following...

  "How do we differentiate ourselves enough that they (prospects) want to talk to us and not feel they are getting the same story they hear from every other sales rep?"
Successful Sales Reps Become A ...

 

 

 

 

 

Five Creative Ways Sales Reps Can Become Brand Magnets

1. Be your authentic self

How hard would it be to build a brand around a facade? Some do, as you would have to act a certain way, appear a certain way and even communicate a certain way. 

Your brand must be a reflection of who you are. You must believe it. You must own it. You must know what it stands for. You must know your strengths and your weaknesses. Wear those emotions on your business sleeve. 

People connect with other people. It is all about the personal connection. If you are "blowing smoke" at people what is the likelihood they will come to trust you? 

Constructing your personal brand is first and foremost about developing an understanding of your true self; then sharing this out with the business world. Take off the mask. Don't be afraid of being vulnerable.

Authenticity is a Magnet

2. Speaking engagements

Consider looking for speaking events in your area. Local business groups or not for profit organizations provide the opportunity to demonstrate your expertise while connecting with new audiences.

This helps in developing your communication skills. If you speak in exactly the same manner others do, you will never stand out from the crowd and rise above the noise.

Think about educating as you speak from a place of knowledge. Show you know what you're talking about, and answer questions in a way which serves your audience.

3. Write and publish articles or blogs

In a previous post, "Sales Reps... Why Writing Content Should Be Part Of Your Sales Strategy." I point out writing attracts prospects and builds you up as a credible resource. Salespeople can compile lists of top questions they hear from clients and prospects during sales meetings and answer them in a blog format. Potential prospects researching for those answers online could end up finding your blog posts.

Providing educational content is one the best ways to build a brand and reputation online. As your prospects or clients look for information, they tend to go back to sources most helpful to them. If you can become a trusted source of information through your educational content, over time you'll become collectively known as a subject matter expert within your field. You can start by incorporating the section "write an article" within your LinkedIn profile.

Check out my blog posts here.

4. Build your Online Presence

Have you ever "Googled" yourself? Do you know how you're appearing and coming across online? With a strong, engaging online presence you can reach a wider target audience. Why is this important? Your clients and prospects are online!

Unless you have spent the last 25 years underneath a rock, 100% of your target audience uses the internet. These days, it’s hard to find someone who does not use the internet.

As a sales professional your online presence starts with your LinkedIn profile. Positioning or repositioning your LinkedIn profile is critical as your prospect's first impression of you maybe a digital one. 

If you would like my special report in how to integrate social selling into your current style, please send me an email to llevine@socialsalesacademy.net 

Just as you are conducting research on your prospects, they are conducting research on you. Your LinkedIn profile is one of the first links to appear in a Google search of your name. Therefore, it is imperative your profile speaks to and provides to prospective clients you are qualified to help them. Your LinkedIn profile is a great way to promote your credibility to your prospects online before you meet with them face to face. Thus, they will be more likely to take you seriously when you begin the conversation.

Help your sales team. Provide and guide them in how to build sales credibility

5. Promote, Promote and Promote Yourself - Network

Attention salespeople, integrating the use of social media is one huge key to sparking growth to your personal brand. Whether online or face to face promoting yourself fuels professional growth.

Attention! Building out a "rock star" LinkedIn profile and doing absolutely nothing with it is like hanging out in the corner of the room at a networking event.
RIDICULOUS

How you capture, converse, collaborate and connect with the executive buyer will determine your sales success in the 21st century.

Engage with other individuals in your industry, social influencers who have many connections, friends, family and even clients as these people are extremely valuable in helping you spread the word about your expertise. 

Professional networking events can be a great way to meet influencers in your area, as well as within the online community. Engage in community discussions whenever you can. A great place to start is uncovering and joining industry related networking groups within LinkedIn. The more opportunities you have to meet people and talk, the better.

Your personal brand is like a garden. Once you lay the groundwork, plant the seeds, fertilize along with continuous water; you'll be in a great position to eventually reap the benefits of your hard work.

Maintain a positive mindset, it takes time and dedication to nurture your brand creation. As you continue to develop your personal brand, stay consistent turning your routine into a daily habit.  Pay close attention to how your audience responds to your educational content. Continually refine and perfect your direction until your focus becomes crystal clear.

If you would like some inspiration I welcome the conversation or send me a message tollevine@socialsalesacademy.net. Your comments are greatly appreciated.

In 2016, Larry was recognized by ENX Magazine, “The Difference Maker” as someone who is making a difference inside the copier channel. Larry is passionate about helping sales reps succeed in creating their online brand image

Look for more information within the Social Sales Academy blog site.

I appreciate getting the opportunity to share my LinkedIn stories. Integrating the use of LinkedIn was my “game-changer” in the highly competitive copier world. With great pride I transform and coach B2B Office Technology Sales Professionals to grow net new business by helping them tell their story and communicate on LinkedIn. My commitment is to help office technology dealers thrive in a changing marketplace. You can follow me on LinkedIn, Twitter, as well as at the Social Sales Academy 

 

 

This Week in the Copier/Office Equipment Industry 10 Years Ago The Last Week of August 2006

Oh gesh, do I remember those first gel-printers from Ricoh.  They were cool, priced right, however almost all of the ended up with error codes (I think the code was E-99). The end result of the code was to throw the system in the trash

It's ten years later and I bother with the small ink printers from Ricoh anymore.  Although I'm a pretty big fan of the CW2201 color wide format that uses in.  Placed three of these so far and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will perform.

Enjoy the threads from ten years ago this week!

Kodak Announces New Web-to-Unified Print

Kodak Announces New Web-to-Unified Print Solution that Expands Efficiencies Printer Friendly Software • TOWER Software’s TRIM Context Wins KMWorld Trend-Setting Product of the Year Award • New KODAK COLORFLOW Technology Enables Confident Delivery of Predictable Color • Kodak Announces New Web-to-Unified Print Solution that Expands Efficiencies • Bitstream to Debut "Pageflex: One Application for All Things Variable" at GraphExpo 2006 • New Océ PRISMA Software Maximizes Functionality of
Topic

launched the e-STUDIO™360CP

Toshiba America Business Solutions Inc. (TABS) today launched the e-STUDIO™360CP, a cost-effective business color printer with outstanding performance, sharp image quality, standard network printing and numerous finishing options. Ideal for corporate environments that have high volume color workgroups with ledger printing needs, the e-STUDIO360CP enables companies to introduce color into the workplace at an affordable price, without sacrificing speed or quality. “As Toshiba’s fastest and most
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Re: MP1350 and Aficio 1085 file compatability

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I don't believe they are compatable, but I recommend you contact Tracy Rainey of Savin his number is (678) 576-0899. If anyone can give you a definite answer, he would be the one.
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Re: SGC1506

more than makes up for the lower, grainy pictures. Unless the customer lays them side-by-side, they may not notice the difference. I know we're going to try to start selling them. EVERY business has at least one or two inkjets, simply because of the low start-up cost.
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Re: 4022sp SMB scanning

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I have had this happen before with a PC that had McAfee Anti Virus loaded on it. You have to update McAfee to fix the issue. It is a McAfee created problem and they acknowledge it. Go to McAfee and search for (Case No: 758588, Hotfix HF214636). Also,check out this FAQ from Ricoh Corp website I attached. It will explain also.
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Re: SGC1506

We ordered one and had our tech's look at it before we wanted to sell it. Our tech's thought it was poorly designed, and the print quality is poor. When thee GelPrinter Rep from Ricoh was in, he even said wait for Generation 2... So we have one if you want it?
Topic

Color imageRUNNER C5180

New From Canon: Color imageRUNNER C5180 Canon U.S.A. Expands Its Color Laser Line-Up with the Availability of the Color imageRUNNER C5180 and the Introduction of Four New Color Models. Canon Rounds Out Its New Color imageRUNNER Line to Deliver Powerful Color Within Reach of Any Sized Business. LAKE SUCCESS, NY, Aug. 24, 2006 - Helping to make color in the office a reality, Canon U.S.A, Inc., the nation's market share brand leader in black-and-white and color laser printer/copier solutions
-=Good Selling=-

Ten Things You Need to Know Before You Lease or Buy a Ricoh MP 501SP or MP 601SP

Geesh, where do I start?  When I first heard of the MP 501/601SP's, I thought this was just another mediocre  multifunctional (copy, print, scan, fax) A4 device.  I assumed the device was designed for low, low volume and would have a high cost per page. 

I was dead wrong in my assumptions.  In fact, I couldn't be happier with the features, the speed, the hardware cost and the consumable cost of the MP 501/601SP.   BTW, the MP501/601SP will not win any design awards, it looks kinda funky, but the end result is a true winner when it comes to value and cost.

A True A4 device with A3 Cost Per Page Model!

1) Neither of these two devices will scan, copy, print or fax 11x17 size paper. That's not a bad thing, because a vast majority of businesses have no need for 11x17 paper size.

2) The MP 501SP will print or copy at 52 letter size pages a minute.  The MP 601SP comes in with an incredible print speed of 62 pages per minute. 

3) Just today, a client asked about the scanning speed of these devices.   Here's the kicker, most manufacturers will quote scanning speeds at 200 dpi (dots per inch), because the speed of scanning will increase significantly when scanning at a lower dpi.  The MP501SP & MP 601SP boasts a scan speed of 62 images per minute at 300 dpi.  Scanning at 300 dpi will create a larger file size, however you can bet the ranch that scans done at 300dpi will always be readable.  Excellent for contracts that have small print.

4) If you have an average monthly volume of 10,000 pages per month, and you lease the system for 36 months, you may never ever have to purchase any consumables other than toner!!  The drum, developer and fuser system is rated at a yield of.....500,000 pages!!!  Even if you need a drum during the 3 year lease the cost is one tenth of a penny per page.

5) Toner/Print Cartridge yield is an astounding 25,000 pages based on 5% coverage of the page.  You may ask, what is 5% coverage?  The easiest way to explain this is to imagine you could condense all of the black toner that's on the printed page to a square.  That square should not cover more than 5% of the total page.    Thus if you're in that sweet spot of coverage, the cost per page for toner is a low .0054 per page.  A little more than a half a cent per page.  PERFECT MPS device!!!!!

6) If you don't require stapling, color prints/copies, or hole punching and your volume is under 10,000 pages per month then this is the perfect MFP for Healthcare, Legal, Insurance and my fav  the Auto Dealerships!  BTW, this system also has an 8.5x14 platen (that would be the glass where you would put a document to be copied)

7)  You have the ability to add four more additional paper trays for a total paper source of 2,600 sheets.  In addition the tray can accommodate letter or legal size paper. The base system comes with one tray and the other four are optional.

8)  Mobile print from tablet and or smart phone is available with the Ricoh Smart Device Print&Scan App.  I've explained it this way for my clients. I just arrived back at the office, I've got a few minutes before I need to leave and really don't have the time to turn on my PC, authenticate, wait for the boot sequence, then open my email application, read the email, open the file and then send the file to print. My Ricoh Print&Scan app allows me to send a file to the printer in seconds.  Great time save, and we all understand that time is money!

9) Mobile scanning is another awesome feature.  Users are able to put documents in the document feeder or on the platen glass and then have those scans appear on their mobile device.  In addition, the Print& Scan App can also display those scans on Ricoh projectors and Ricoh interactive white boards.

10) I've written about Ricoh ICE (Integrated Cloud Environment) before, ICE allows you to scan to many of your favorite Cloud applications.  Google Drive, MS 365, Box, Dropbox and many more.  What clients like most is the ability to scan as searchable .pdfs and the ability to scan documents back to a word or excel doc. 

Bonus) Can you afford an extra $3.50 cents a day?  What about an extra 43 cents an hour (8 work hours)?  If you can, and you like what you've read then I suggest calling your local Ricoh Dealer (not direct), because dealers can offer better service, better support and they support your local economy.  If you're looking for an awesome Ricoh Dealer and you need help, please feel free to send me an email apost@p4pHotel.

-=Good Selling=-

5 Features I'd Like to See Added on Linkedin

More and more I find myself visiting LinkedIn several times a days.  I'll hit up Linkedin early in the AM, then about mid-day and then late in the evening. 

One of the ways I use Linkedin is to stay in touch with my connections through the use of the birthday and employment anniversary reminders that Linkedin updates me with.  The Linkedin updates come with automated messages on the mobile platform (have not seen this on the web version), and you do have the choice to put in a personal message.  Thus, with the click of the "send" button, I can keep in touch with connections on a daily basis

When viewing threads from connections and others Linkedin also offers a "Like, Comment or Share" button.  But, I think it's time that Linkedin gave us a few additional buttons to make Linkedin fun.  What, you can't have some fun with social media?

Here's some additional buttons I wish Linkedin would add to the site!

  • boo, hiss button:  As much as I would root for a baseball player to get a hit and then boo them when they stink, I think there's a place for a "boo-hiss" button. I would enjoy throwing out a boo or a hiss every now and then for content that should not be posted on LinkedIn! (I'm sure I would get a few of them also).



2016-08-25_23-16-11

  • OMG Button:  Profile pictures are awesome,  it helps to put a face to a name.  Most profile pictures present the person in a professional light.  However on more than a few occasions I had to think, Dude, where the frack did you get that picture from?   Did you even look at the picture you just posted of yourself?



2016-08-25_23-18-53



  • awesome button: If you've really enjoyed a thread, blog or column give it an even better rating with an "awesome" button.  Make LinkedIn Fun Again!!

2016-08-25_23-22-27



  • thumbs down/dislike button: I'd like to be able give a thumbs down (not the person), but to the article, link of thread. When there's a "like" button then there should be a "dislike" button right? Thus, for all of those annoying political threads, I can give them the old thumbs down and hopefully they will get the hint.



dislike

  • kick or boot button:  I would use this for those Linkedin users that fill my wall with senseless threads that they should have posted and facebook.



boot

All kidding aside, I've found Linkedin to be a great resource to see who I may be connected with.  I'm a BIG believer in Six degrees of separation and if we dig deep enough we can get connected the right person when we need to.

-=Good Selling=- 

Two Copier Dudes to Attend Graph Expo 2016

2016-08-23_23-20-12It's official!! 

John Anderson and I are booked to attend Graph Expo 2016 in Orlando as members of the Press! 

Ok, you may not be excited about us our press credentials, however John Anderson and I are stoked! 

What you can get exciting about is that John & I will be the only two copier dudes reporting about what matters most to those of us in the copier channel. 

To date there are 357 Exhibitors, out of those 357 we've identified 24 of the exhibitors that we want to have a conversation with about their offerings to the channel. 

I'm flying to Orlando Sunday morning, John's going to pick me up at the airport and then we'll have a 20 minute ride over the Hyatt Regency.   We'll start reporting on Sunday afternoon via twitter.  We'll be using two accounts, @P4PHotel & @artpost, be sure to follow us for all of the awesome updates we're going to supply you with.

In the evening, we'll be posting content and video to the Print4Pay Hotel and then pushing those updates via facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.  Stay tuned, I may have to finally get an Instagram account (lol). 

What We Want to See

Both John & I are wide format guru's, yes we sell our fair share of regular copiers, however we know that the wide format market is where you can set yourself apart from the pack.  We plan on visiting HP to get our first real look at HP's PageWide XL printers, in addition we'll have many questions and plan to critique the XL series like no one else can.

KonicaMinolta is next on our hit list, for me, I'm especially interested in the bizhub PRESS C71cf Label Press. I'm curious about the speed, the cost per label, the quality and if the system comes with an applicator option.  I'll admit, I'm a novice with the Label Presses, however I plan to become a Guru in the near future.  Look for a special blog in September about my visit to see the Muratec Label Press a few nights ago.

Ricoh, Ricoh and more Ricoh, yes, both John and I have a hard core love affair with Ricoh devices. Why wouldn't we love what we sell?  I'm interested in seeing color samples from the new MP C2201sp, in addition I looking forward to having hands on for the C9110.

We've also got our eyes on EFI (attending their Press Conference @12PM on Tuesday), Riso (heard there is something new), Xante (Envelope Press), Anajet (Specialty Printers), Epson, Graph-Tech, KIP, Mimaki, Mohawk, Oki Data and whatever else tweaks our curiosity.

This will be my first Graph Expo, and I believe it will be John's also.  Most of the past events were held in the McCormick Center in Chicago.  Once I heard that the show was going to move to Orlando, it became a no brainer for me.

I hope to have many video shots for the site, in addition I'm hoping to get some video of John Anderson.  John is our Business Development Manager, but the real reason to get John on video is because I believe he sounds just like Hank Hill (cartoon character) in King of the Hill.  Matter of fact, I'm going to post a poll for everyone to vote on.  Haha, John, I know you're going to read this! 

Here's the survey for Hank Hill & John Anderson

All kidding aside, I believe that there's no better site and people to follow than the Print4Pay Hotel.  We're hardware junkies, always looking for an edge, always looking to push the envelope and we're willing to share all of that with our members!!!

-=Good Selling=-

Why Sales Teams Should Stop Using LinkedIn

I know what you all are thinking.... 

Rationalization runs rampant as mental justifications sets in...

  • "We are three years behind major cities in technology"
  • "This is small town USA, very few of our clients have LinkedIn profiles"
  • "Our clients aren't social"
  • "We have a great client base"
  • "Can't expose our competitor's to what we are doing"
  • "I am too old for this social stuff" (Attention Boomers)

More rationalization from sales reps...

"Prospects are not returning my emails so I will stop sending out emails"
"Prospects are not answering their phones so I will stop using the phone"
"Cold calls yield zero results so I will stop cold calling"

With the utmost of respect to the sales world...

" Sales reps today have hypnotized themselves into believing what they aren't doing doesn't work"

Go ahead stop using LinkedIn, stop cold calling, stop using the phone, stop emailing as you find yourself looking for a new career.

"The no. 1 reason most sales reps don’t see any success with social selling is pretty simple – they get lost in the platforms and have no clear direction around what they are trying to achieve."
Jack Kosakowski

Stop justifying the why not and start accepting the WHY!

 

“All organizations start with WHY, but only the great ones keep their WHY clear year after year.”
Simon Sinek

Playing on Simon Sinek's quote, let's make this sales rep centric as I say

"All sales reps start with WHY, but only the great sales reps keep their WHY clear year after year"

 

If you want to be successful in sales today YOU must create the mindset and skill set around WHY. Successful sales reps understand their WHY as they continually develop new sets of skills to adapt to the changes inside a highly social, digital business world. 

Incorporating LinkedIn or for that matter social selling is not the answer if you have poor prospecting skills, poor phone skills and poor sales skills. Sales teams, stop the fantasy that social will save your sales career. This only adds to the frustration. Seek out the education and develop your sales skills in a digital world.

"If we operate in a digital society then why do we still train sales reps to prospect and develop their sales skills using analog only methodologies?"

This mentality only fosters an environment of WHY sales reps stop doing the things necessary for them to succeed in sales, prospect. Thus the "I will stop doing mindset sets in"

Let's transform these old school ideologies by invigorating them with new school methodologies.

Focus on WHY to start adapting to a changing business environment as opposed to focusing on the WHY not!

Today's buyer, routinely conducts their own research online, solicits advice from their friends and their own network, assesses sentiment within multiple social media outlets; all of this goes a long way towards shaping a decision before they ever connect with you or your brand. They do not need to rely on single sources of information any longer. This means YOU!

Attention to the tenured sales teams, convince-and-convert, all about "how great you are presentations" and old-style sales calls have become largely ineffective. Not only has the buyer already learned what you’re telling them, they have gathered an opinion, and shaped an emotional feeling about you or your brand before they buy. Let's get real... If they’ve not yet heard of you, forging personal value in a cold call is darn near impossible.

So what’s the new path for a sales professional? First of all, stop it with WHY you won't do something to grow your career and come to grips by meeting the buyer on their chosen turf, "The Online Sandbox"

Successful sales reps learn to adapt. YOU must learn how to adapt inside a digital sales world. 

Buyers are looking for an unbiased, “non-salesy” opinion. They want to judge and form their opinions from a variety of sources and expertise.

“We live in a ‘review based’ culture now where our successes (and particularly our failures) will be talked about online, and broadcast to the world, so we need to ensure that we have enough positive content online to present the message that we want to share about our brand or business,” says Glen Smyth, host of the Sales Professionals Podcast.

Stop it! Stop WHY it doesn't work because it's all about the brand, YOU!

You, as a sales rep, must build your own personal brand, become a trusted expert with your client and prospect relationships. You must take a position not of a seller, but of a helper. This seemingly counterintuitive attitude is what now takes the place of the old sales call.

Build up YOU by leveraging the single best branding platform to help transform YOU; LinkedIn. Why...

Your career is worth it

Your future connections are worth it

Your future sales, exposure and opportunities are worth it

Your message is amplified

Your differentiation is the key in standing out in the "sea of sameness"

The branding of yourself is worth it

If you would like some inspiration I welcome the conversation or send me a message tollevine@socialsalesacademy.net. Your comments are greatly appreciated.

In 2016, Larry was recognized by ENX Magazine, “The Difference Maker” as someone who is making a difference inside the copier channel. Larry is passionate about helping sales reps succeed in creating their online brand image

Look for more information within the Social Sales Academy blog site.

I appreciate getting the opportunity to share my LinkedIn stories. Integrating the use of LinkedIn was my “game-changer” in the highly competitive copier world. With great pride I transform and coach B2B Office Technology Sales Professionals to grow net new business by helping them tell their story and communicate on LinkedIn. My commitment is to help office technology dealers thrive in a changing marketplace. You can follow me on LinkedIn, Twitter, as well as at the Social Sales Academy 

 

This Week in the Copier/Office Equipment Industry 10 Years Ago The Last Week of August 2006

Reading through some of the most popular threads is something I enjoy each week.  Some of these threads will jog the memory, one of those threads is in reference to the Ricoh HQ7000 and Ricoh HQ9000.  Hard to believe that it's been ten years since those units were launched.



Enjoy the threads from ten years ago this week!

Kodak Announces New Web-to-Unified Print

Kodak Announces New Web-to-Unified Print Solution that Expands Efficiencies Printer Friendly Software • TOWER Software’s TRIM Context Wins KMWorld Trend-Setting Product of the Year Award • New KODAK COLORFLOW Technology Enables Confident Delivery of Predictable Color • Kodak Announces New Web-to-Unified Print Solution that Expands Efficiencies • Bitstream to Debut "Pageflex: One Application for All Things Variable" at GraphExpo 2006 • New Océ PRISMA Software Maximizes Functionality of
Reply

Re: SR3000 Single Sheet Fold

This finisher is for the new color Ricoh C2500/C3000(Savin C2525/C3030).
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TOKEN RING

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I have a customer that is still using token ring. My question is for Ricoh/Canon duo's dealers. Can the new Canon' support token ring? My research shows the older models can, but the newer models can not. My customer is being told they can. Thanks
Topic

launched the e-STUDIO™360CP

Toshiba America Business Solutions Inc. (TABS) today launched the e-STUDIO™360CP, a cost-effective business color printer with outstanding performance, sharp image quality, standard network printing and numerous finishing options. Ideal for corporate environments that have high volume color workgroups with ledger printing needs, the e-STUDIO360CP enables companies to introduce color into the workplace at an affordable price, without sacrificing speed or quality. “As Toshiba’s fastest and most
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Re: 1022 fax reception

Small faxes have that capability at least Toshibas do. First time I've heard it called ring master, up here it is called "distinctive ring" but it is a service sold by the phone co, similar to the old party line system. You can get a decoder box from a phone store or probably 'Radio Shack, it will have a port for the line in, the line 1 and line 2. Some of the up scale models will allow you to adjust line 2 for 1L2S or 2S, other wise the default will be 2 short.
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Re: 3 Aficio 220's w/Fax in Milwaukee

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I thought a ricoh guy here in town would take them bieng so close, but hes phasing them out. I will call a couple of NFP orgs. around here and see if i can get them moved for you. Gregg
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Re: 4022sp SMB scanning

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I have had this happen before with a PC that had McAfee Anti Virus loaded on it. You have to update McAfee to fix the issue. It is a McAfee created problem and they acknowledge it. Go to McAfee and search for (Case No: 758588, Hotfix HF214636). Also,check out this FAQ from Ricoh Corp website I attached. It will explain also.
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Re: SGC1506

We ordered one and had our tech's look at it before we wanted to sell it. Our tech's thought it was poorly designed, and the print quality is poor. When thee GelPrinter Rep from Ricoh was in, he even said wait for Generation 2... So we have one if you want it?
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Re: Document Management Presentation

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The Ricoh Solutions Group ought to be able to help you. They have a number of online demos at http://www.tscweb.net/sdg/demosricohdealer.html . The main Ricoh web site has solutions "Quick Tours" at http://www.ricoh-usa.com/products/solutions/qtgallery.asp . 1-2 minute videos instead of PowerPoints. That format might be more attention-getting. Have fun!
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Re: New HQ 7000 Duplicator

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Confirmed - supply set is the same as the HQ9000. Differnece is 400 DPI vs 600 DPI. HQ7000/CP6334 MSRP $15000, LDP $7500 vs HQ9000/CP6346 $18605, LDP $10400. MSRP ink cpc is about the same as it's predecessor (JP8500/5499) @ $0.0014, but the new masters are cheaper @ $0.42 /ea vs $0.46 on the JP8500/5499. Surprising, since they are the new HQ master with the micropore "sponge" layer. Just goes to show that we pay too much for the old type masters! Good selling, Jim.
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Re: CIS Sensor for an FW7030D is $5,147.48??!!

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We had a second one in the field. That customer didn't want to part with it. He is a P4P. I asked him what the next piece of equipment he planned to purchase was and he said probably another KIP 8000. I said, "If I can get you that at dealer cost, would you trade the Ricoh in return?" He said he would so I got him one. He buys stuff from ebay so he was never going to buy from us anyway so we lost nothing and now we have a parts machine.
Topic

New HQ 7000 Duplicator

Ricoh is pleased to announce the launch of the Ricoh HQ7000 Digital Duplicator. The HQ7000 replaces the JP5500 and delivers significant performance enhancements over its predecessor. This 135-ppm Priport features an embedded controller, true 400 x 400 dpi resolution and PostScript 3 and extension HDD Type C. Professional printers and managers of in-plant print shops are looking for systems that increase productivity and continue to work without breaking down for service. The reliable HQ
Topic

Resending Faxes

I've got a customer with a Ricoh 350 equipped with fax. They can do something I've never seen. In fact, I told them it couldn't be done till they showed me they could. If they attempt to transmit a fax which errors out, they get an error report printed. Then they are able to go back into the control panel and RETRASMIT the fax without re-scanning. I've always understood that this could not be done. You'd have to re-scan. I can't duplicate this on a 1045. Does anyone have more information
Topic

1022 fax reception

Have a customer with 1022 with fax option, wants to use "ring master" for receiving faxes. Its a home office, he has one phone line, but 2 numbers. Home calls ring one way, fax calls rings 2 short rings. His toy fax from office depot has a setting for this service.I don't see a setting. Help Ricoh gurus Thanks
Topic

Color imageRUNNER C5180

New From Canon: Color imageRUNNER C5180 Canon U.S.A. Expands Its Color Laser Line-Up with the Availability of the Color imageRUNNER C5180 and the Introduction of Four New Color Models. Canon Rounds Out Its New Color imageRUNNER Line to Deliver Powerful Color Within Reach of Any Sized Business. LAKE SUCCESS, NY, Aug. 24, 2006 - Helping to make color in the office a reality, Canon U.S.A, Inc., the nation's market share brand leader in black-and-white and color laser printer/copier solutions
-=Good Selling=-

Nine Serious Issues For Today's Copier Dealers

You Have Options in a Tough Economy

The headlines of today’s economic news are adding to the already challenging environment in the imaging industry. OEM’s, now more than ever, are operating in your territory. This is bringing concerns to dealer management all over the United States. Pricing pressure coming from CPC pricing in the .0029 vicinity is challenging even the best dealers to search for ways to compete and reduce costs. Here are some other forces that are creating serious headwinds for the dealer community.

OEM quotas are demanding on your resources, stuffing warehouses all over the country to the benefit of the OEM and to the detriment of the dealer community.

  • Cash flow is slowing down as a result of this and the slowing economic environment.
  • OEM’s threaten cancellation or to open competing dealers down the street.
  • Color printing and page coverage is squeezing the dealer between the customer and the OEM supplier more than anyone else in the supply chain.
  • OEM direct competition is still going on at or below your lowest price with all discounts included at retail.
  • Some dealers are seeing machine placements, copy counts and new business slowing to a trickle.
  • Operating expenses are all going up.
  • Tech salaries are being challenged and competed for from the IT industry.
  • The burden of producing profit is on service and supplies.
  • There ARE ways to overcome these tough setbacks and situations.


Become part of a buying group or Industry organizationIBPI, BTA, BPCA, CDA or SDG groups.

These groups provide buying power, rebates, discounts, legal advice, best practices, education, networking and benchmarks for success in our industry. By taking advantage of these resources and industry experts, you can help your dealership capitalize on best practices. The informal networking is often some of the most valuable benefits of belonging to one of these industry trade groups.

Make sure you attend ITEX, your industry trade show, to catch up on the latest trends and education. Take the time out to work “on” your business instead of “in” your business.

Take a Managed print service approach to your market. Tom Callinan, managing principal of Strategy Development said he would not hire pure hunting copier sales reps today. He would only consider hiring print management specialist to develop a strong net new business model. Equipment sales and the growth of print and copy charges will follow. Software programs like PrintFleet, FM Audit, and other programs help you make the leap into these new areas of profitability. Line extensions to include HP are a great strategy in a tough economy. You are getting deeper into your account and locking up all of their printing activity. Closer relationships with your customer are critical now more than ever!

Use compatible products to increase your profitability. Many dealers are rethinking their OEM relationships and are discovering that compatibles have a significant role in their company. Print management programs only work with Compatible cartridges according to Low Slawetsky of Industry Analysts at the BTA East meeting in September. Ronelle Ingram says” Compatibles are no longer an alternative”. Industry experts push for service profitability over 50% and compatible products are critical to the success of that profit objective. Low margin CPC contracts can be turned profitable using compatible toner and parts. These lower costs for parts and supplies will also help you compete in the skinny margin deals to grab new business and make sure you keep what you have. The other area to consider is machines coming out of the field. Use generic parts instead of OEM parts if you are going to take the machine out of the field in 6 – 12 months. Ex‐lines are an area to move compatible supplies and parts into your base of equipment.

Find an area most challenged for profit and start there.

How compatibles can help offset lost revenue – A dealer’s experience ‐ Rob DiCerbo, a sales executive for Polek and Polek wroteabout his experiences with a dealer facing the current tough economy. In the second half of 2007, machine sales had slowed to atrickle. For the entire year of 2007, XYZ Company had fallen short of their goal by $1.5 million dollars. When we asked “What can wedo to help you run your business better?’ their response was, “find us our lost revenue”.

The missing revenue equated to $270,000 in lost profit. This dealership was already buying aftermarket parts and drums so additionalsavings in this area would have less of an impact. However they were using OEM toner in all machines, even those that were 5+ years old! Here was an opportunity to put real dollars back into the hands of the dealership. I asked for some current usages andpricing, then we went to work.

The first proposal only dealt with machines that were over three years old. The second also included newer machines segments 1‐4,while the third proposal added segment 5. There were meaningful savings with all three proposals, and we presented all three to the dealerships management.

The first proposal saved the dealership $45,000 annually or 16.7% of the lost profit. The second proposal would have saved the dealership $97,000 annually or 36% of the lost revenue, and the third proposal saved the dealership $145,000 annually or 53.7% of the lost profits. When translated into recovered revenues this last proposal equated to an additional $805,000 in revenue. The management team saw that this simple change could recover over half of the lost revenue they had experienced in the prior year, and after a couple of meetings decided to move forward with proposal number three.

The important lesson here is that if a dealer is experiencing a mild or severe loss in revenue,there are still options on the table that you can take advantage of. The nice aspect about this proposal is that we went through the exercise through the lens of lost revenue. We have done this for many dealers, but the association to revenue really showed the impact that compatible products are able to have on dealership profitability.

Despite the many headlines and events of the day, there are options in this tougher economic environment. Use your industry associations, get into the print management services business and use compatible products to increase your profitability and compete more effectively!

Note from Art:

I'd like to thank Polek & Polek for this blog, even though it's a few years old, the issues remain the intact for most dealers.  You can visit Polek & Polek here

Five Reasons Why I'm Attending the Top 100 Summit in San Diego

Who can't resist an opportunity to spend some time in San Diego? 

#MPSIsChanging, and if you're not changing, your competition is.  Below is a paragraph from the Top 100 Summit web page.

The Summit is an exclusive, invitation only, all expenses paid (minus flight and hotel) event where imaging industry leaders, business owners and principals will come together to share ideas and develop strategies for the future of office imaging. We call them the Top 100!

Reason #1:   Increasing my knowledge of Seat Based Billing for MPS is tops on my list for attending the Top 100 Summit.  With the emergence of many office equipment dealers now selling Managed IT with seat based billing, it's only logical to get educated on SSB (seat based billing) for MPS. I can then bring additional value to my clients.

Reason #2:  Conversations with my peers, about the ever changing landscape of Office Technology.  What's working, what's not working, what changes are my peers seeing in their markets. 

Reason #4:  The need to become more knowledgeable with Print Audit Print Rules. I'm a firm believer that if you can become the expert with Print Audit Print Rules, effectively demonstrate Print Audit Insight and engage with clients about their print habits, then you don't have to play the game with the cost per page, nor do you have to address speeds and feeds.

Reason #4:  The awesome round table discussions where members have an open conversation about the MPS industry.  Last years Top 100 Summit proved be the most collaborative and thought provoking event I've ever attended in the industry!

Reason #5:  The opportunity to spend a couple of extra days in San Diego and take in some of the sites, such as Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, the Beach, Belmont Park, and enjoy the company of my peers in the industry.

If this is the first that you've heard about the Top 100  Summit, I suggest taking a trip to Top 100 Summit and discover what all the hype is all about! I'm hoping to see many P4P members in a few weeks and looking forward to meeting everyone else.  Maybe we'll catch you there next year?

I will be using twitter and LinkedIn during the event to keep all our 2,800 plus P4P members up to date with what's happening at the event.  You can follow me on twitter artpost. In addition, I'll also be posting on LinkedIn.

-=Good Selling=-

Emotional Collaboration

“Emotional Collaboration”, transforms an IT Managed Services deliverable, into a mutual awareness of prevention.

All service providers must prevent and quickly respond to their customers’ crises. The depth and severity of the crisis will most definitely be defined by the one in crisis – the customer.  As service providers we completely understand it’s our proactive approach in prevention, which will define our value as a service provider. What if our customers felt as passionate about prevention as (we) their service providers felt? My answer to this question is this: When service providers understand the importance of customer selection, they will understand the meaning and more importantly the value of what I call - “Emotional Collaboration”

Emotional Collaboration is when both the service provider and their customers are cohesive in their focus on prevention, in an effort to avoid the pain caused by an unnecessary or preventable crises.” 

All service providers are not equal, although all their customers’ mindset should be. Most service providers think of their service deliverable as things they do. Things like - the preventive steps they take, the responsiveness they continuously improve on, their follow-up protocol, their documentation processes. The problem is they fit their service deliverable into the customer after they acquire the customer.  This is backwards, before we accept a customer is the time for evaluating whether or not the customer fits into your service deliverable. This approach is very common from organizations who chase revenue over profit. All sales organizations can sell things or services to anyone. The challenge is selling only to those who fit your service model. When you do this your capabilities in delivering above expectations increases substantially. More importantly this approach brings fairness to your existing customers, you create an elite club environment and all clubs have two way rules. Both Managed Service Providers and Master Service Providers will benefit greatly from this approach.

Customer selection has more to do with understanding their mindset, then their product set. After all, the products are simply the means to what they want, how the products intersect, with how the products are delivered, and serviced will determine satisfaction. It is this intersection of expectations and reality to circumstances which impacts the relationship. When there is an alignment shortcoming between mindsets, both parties will commit what I call “Excuse Management” the blame game which most realize is a game never won.

Emotional Collaboration happens when your customers are just as concerned with prevention as you their service provider. The customer has the right mindset which aligns with the team behind them, the customer sees the service provider as the means to what they accomplish. In essence the customer is emotional bounded. It is this bond which creates and environment of mutual awareness, the customer understands the impact of doing things against the rules, could potentially bring harm to the cohesiveness of the relationship, the customer respects the system which they are part of.

Providing great service is its own product. All we do as service providers will never be defined by the products we deliver.  When the customer engagement becomes the most important part of our deliverable, our organizations and our customers will benefit from what I call

“Emotional Collaboration”.

Ray Stasieczko      

Sales Managers... How to Identify & Crush 5 Sales Settlers Signs Inside Your Sales Department

"The Status Quo Is Simply Unacceptable"
Brad Henry, Former Governor of Oklahoma
"Working the land "HOPING" for a fertile spring"

Settling... Complacency, content, creatures of comfort; it is out there right now within the closets of sales teams. Lurking in the dark shadows of their successes, hiding where you least expect to find it is a great balancing act of excuses. It is the silent sales killer, lurking and striking sales teams without warning. It can bring even the biggest and brightest teams to their knees. 

"Settling, better know as Complacency"

Don't think it can happen to you? It strikes, every day. Settling, it happens to small sales teams even to the big and almighty. Settling is a ruthless disease. It cares not about the size of your sales team, length in business, or what day of the week it is. It cares only of the weak and timid or the wait and see what happens, the hard reality behind this is while your sales team became content some other sales teams were not. With extreme precision they rewrote the playbook adapting to the changes inside the buyer's world.

"We plow our sales fields for growth in a digital business world yet coach sales reps to fertilize sales fields with analog sales tools, WHY?"

Digitally enhanced sales teams have remodeled, retooled and re-engineered the sales business model cultivating it, making it better, leaner, rebranding it to resonate with today's modern business executive and KABOOM your client's have become their appetite for destruction. You allowed them right into your sales jungle. Your client base has become their paradise city where the grass is green and the sales revenue is pretty!

As sales teams aim to reinvent themselves in this highly connected, highly networked B2B buying world, leaders must become proactive; constantly on the lookout for the sales cues to assure their teams are not becoming complacent.

Constantly Be on the Lookout for these 5 Sales Settling Signs

1. Loss of Passion - The passionate pursuit of excellence is the fuel which stimulates high-performance and a contagious, winning attitude. Steve Jobs once said,

I’m convinced that about half of what separates ‘the successful’ from the ‘non-successful’ is pure perseverance."
Steve Jobs

 

 

 

 When sales reps have reached a point where their passion is lost, they will find it almost impossible to find any level of sales success.

2. Don't Invest in Themselves - When a sales reps stop investing in themselves, it's a warning sign they have lost their drive to become a high performer. Equally concerning are the tenured sales reps who stop investing in themselves because they feel they have learned enough or believe they know enough people (established client base) to get by and cruise through business life.

3. Stop Thinking - When sales reps stop asking questions, challenging themselves or their teammates, this is cause for concern; for one, they have stopped adding value to the team.  When they have mentally decided to just go with the flow, they have decided to stop thinking and are only concerned about completing what they are managed to do just to get by.

4. Not Managing Their Personal Brand - I'll admit, most sales reps don’t manage their personal brand because they don’t know how however; those sales reps who are motivated to achieve greater success in their careers are aware of its importance and are making every effort to figure out their personal brand.

Learn more about brand building inside the Social Sales Academy.

With encouragement, personal branding for sales reps is a leadership responsibility, not a self-promotion campaign. Sales reps are front and center, a portrait of the company. A fantastic way to amplify the company's brand is coaching the sales department to build their brand. 

5. No Sense of Urgency - Playing the waiting game. Waiting for customers to call them or a little birdie to drop a lead on their desk. Lack of urgency in developing business is a sales killer. No matter how successful your day, month or sales year has been you must act as if you're always climbing to get to the next level.

Proactive sales development must come by doing things to push you out of your comfort zone. One huge area involves how to gain and attract net-new business and not constantly relying on current accounts. Many salespeople that fail have a hard time making calls on new prospects. Discover the new way B2B sales reps win net-new business here

"Salespeople have hypnotized themselves into believing what they aren't doing doesn't work"

Ignite the fire within your sales team and help them kick the sales settlers disease!

"We're operating on autopilot and it's killing our dreams and stunting our success"
Jim Keenan, Not Taught

The luxury of time no longer exists. Settling and complacency have become a rampant epidemic within sales departments. 

Do not Settle, Help your Sales Team... Inspire them to Crush & Create the Change in a Digital Business World

Acceptance of change is critical within the information age we live in. This applies directly to the sales settler's mentality.

We have only three responses to change --- resist it, accept it or create it. A change resistor likes things just the way they are. A change acceptor will wait to see what is happening. While change creators have become today's problem solvers. 

Attention to all sales teams out there... become the change creators in your industry. Take charge of the buyer's journey. 

"The reason why the buyers are so far along in their journey is your fault."

Change creators identify new processes, look for new opportunities, bringing new and different insights into businesses with the goal of helping corporate executives solve problems or challenges. 

Adopting a change creators mentality your sales team will become true professionals focused on helping their prospects and clients for all the right reasons versus closing the "big deal" for their personal benefit.

Time to plow the fields with a combine (a digital skill set) as opposed to a horse- drawn plow (an analog skill set).

If you would like some inspiration I welcome the conversation or send me a message to llevine@socialsalesacademy.net. Your comments are greatly appreciated.

In 2016, Larry was recognized by ENX Magazine, “The Difference Maker” as someone who is making a difference inside the copier channel. Larry is passionate about helping sales reps succeed in creating their online brand image

Look for more information within the Social Sales Academy blog site.

I appreciate getting the opportunity to share my LinkedIn stories. Integrating the use of LinkedIn was my “game-changer” in the highly competitive copier world. With great pride, I transform and coach B2B Office Technology Sales Professionals to grow net-new business by helping them tell their story and communicate on LinkedIn. My commitment is to help office technology dealers thrive in a changing marketplace. You can follow me on LinkedIn, Twitter, as well as at the Social Sales Academy

 

This Week in the Copier/Office Equipment Industry 10 Years Ago The Third Week of August 2006

So, one of the topics below focuses on obtaining "dirt" about another brand of copier.  If used properly "dirt" can win you the order and when used improperly, "dirt" can los you the deal.  You need to know when you can and can't use "dirt", that my friends can only come from years of experience and using some trial talks tracks during your appointment to see if you can or can't use "dirt".

For all the lurkers on the site, I urge you to not just take information, but to share your knowledge, and post questions to the forums. We are all here to learn from one another!!!

Re: Dirt on Toshiba's 35 series color?

Both systems are very simialr. What Toshiba did that Ricoh wont do until next year is match the Canon ir3220 by offering the choice of controllers (e-bridge or Fiery).
Topic

Xerox WorkCentre 7655/7665

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Does anyone have any dirt on the new Xerox 7655/7665? They are extremely competitively priced, and look to have the same engine specs as the 240/250, but with a Xerox controller targeted at the office market.
Topic

Ricoh DX3340 Priport

Ricoh is pleased to announce the launch of the Ricoh DX3340 Priport. The DX3340 replaces the JP1235 and delivers significant performance enhancements over its predecessor. This Priport features bid-winning pricing, low running costs, high-speed throughput and crisp image quality. Product Features: High-visibility, multipurpose LCD. A high-visibility multipurpose LCD shows step-by-step operations at a glance. In addition, this backlit LCD provides graphic image feedback regarding mis-feed
Reply

Re: Duplicators off of GSA contract

"old Age" must be creeping in~~ Ricoh JP5500, Savin 3360DNP, Gestetner 5455 Digital Dupliators
Reply

Re: Ricoh DX3340 Priport

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Rumour has it - SRP $5,420 LDP $2,765 RICOH CORPORATION INTRODUCES THE PRIPORT DX3340 New Digital Duplicator Offers Exceptional Ease of Use and Cost-Saving Features LAS VEGAS, June 06, 2006 — Ricoh Corporation, the leading provider of digital office equipment, today introduced the Priport DX3340 digital duplicator, designed to deliver quality prints at low cost. Offering an array of advanced capabilities that are easy to use, this new digital duplicator will produce prints at about one-third of
Member

Reply

Re: Ricoh 615C

Maintenace agreements? there are no supplies except the ink. No drums no fuser no nuttin' I would be interested in reports on CQ. I saw a couple on line for the printers and they said generally that the blacks were gray and the colors light. Further that Ricoh planned it that way becasue of the duplexing capability. However, the technology is characterized as "fast drying" to eliminated smears. I have an HP Deskjet that duplexes, the colors are bold and deep, It doesn smear when duplexing
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Re: Ricoh 615C

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positive feedback was generated by the fact that they were getting free color copies and prints. Would they have been so positive if the had to pay for the ink? That is the question. Another question is were is this going to fit... Why would one go with the 615C vs. an Aficio 2016 and a CL410? Duplexing, 11X17 color capability, Color scanning, are the major advantages but at what cost for supplies? It seems to be a pretty narrow market to me.
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Re: Ricoh DX3340 Priport

Jim: Were have you been??? Hope all is well, what do you think of this new product from Ricoh? Art Post
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Re: Xerox WorkCentre 7655/7665

I mayhave the Xerox wholesale pricing do you need? Art Post
Reply

Re: Document Management Presentation

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The Ricoh Solutions Group ought to be able to help you. They have a number of online demos at http://www.tscweb.net/sdg/demosricohdealer.html . The main Ricoh web site has solutions "Quick Tours" at http://www.ricoh-usa.com/products/solutions/qtgallery.asp . 1-2 minute videos instead of PowerPoints. That format might be more attention-getting. Have fun!
Topic

MP 1350

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I attended a Monster Mayhem a couple of weeks back and the Ricoh DSR mentioned something about a slowdown when 2-3 hole punching is used. She said that it slows the system down to 110ppm. Is anyone aware of this reduction in speed? If so, has there been a fix ie; firmware? Thanks, John
Topic

New HQ 7000 Duplicator

Ricoh is pleased to announce the launch of the Ricoh HQ7000 Digital Duplicator. The HQ7000 replaces the JP5500 and delivers significant performance enhancements over its predecessor. This 135-ppm Priport features an embedded controller, true 400 x 400 dpi resolution and PostScript 3 and extension HDD Type C. Professional printers and managers of in-plant print shops are looking for systems that increase productivity and continue to work without breaking down for service. The reliable HQ
Topic

Resending Faxes

I've got a customer with a Ricoh 350 equipped with fax. They can do something I've never seen. In fact, I told them it couldn't be done till they showed me they could. If they attempt to transmit a fax which errors out, they get an error report printed. Then they are able to go back into the control panel and RETRASMIT the fax without re-scanning. I've always understood that this could not be done. You'd have to re-scan. I can't duplicate this on a 1045. Does anyone have more information
Topic

DSc424 B156 admin password

either. At least it is not mentioned in the SM and neither is 7810. Symptoms are: a user cant log in to the machine because it is asking for an administrators password. I cant get into user tools for the same reason. I called Ricoh and they insist that 7810 is a valid SP on this model. I dont think so. I hope I dont have to clear the memory 'cause that just f's up the counters and other settings.
Topic

Lanier 5020

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WE have a customer that inherited a lanier 5020 that we are servicing. Does anyone know if this will take a Savin 9920dp pcu (#9605 type 250)?
-=Good Selling=-

How Copier Dealer Principals Can Explode Profits with the Cloud!

The Cloud, bet you thought that I was referring to that Cloud in the sky, right?  Well, I was, just not referring to the Cloud that offers SAAS solutions. I'm talking about the potential for HUGE profits with the REAL CLOUD! 

Yes, that cloud in the sky, the one that produces pure, clean water!

Not all dealerships are equal, not all are cut out to offer Managed IT, nor Backup Disaster Recovery or even offer IT services.  If you're one of those dealer principals then might I suggest turning your attention to the REAL Cloud to increase additional profits and revenues.

I had a long chat with Scott Hechtman (West Region Dealer Sales Manager at PHSI® Water) the other day. 

2016-08-14_22-03-25PHSI is a worldwide leader in point-of-use drinking water technology. Eco-friendly, sustainable drinking water systems that produce better-than bottled water quality.

I was curious about what it takes to become a PHSI dealer.  Scott informed me that the buy in was 45 units, you need to have a commercial location (no garages), an installer, some type of a small delivery vehicle and two to three sales people to get started.   The sales goal would be for each sales people to move 8 units per month, thus with two sales people, you could potentially place 16 units each month. 

The business model is to lease the PHSI water units for $60 per month on a five year lease.  Scott also stated that PHSI offers a unique leasing program for their dealers, at the end of the lease the option to buy the PHSI water units reverts back to the dealer.  Thus, at the end of the lease, the sales person can go back to the account and offer another 60 month contract for $50 per month.   That $50 per month renewal is the cash cow my friends.  Imagine having 1,000 of the PHSI water units in the field generating a cool $50 profit each and every month!  That's some serious crazy revenue stream that would produce a cool $50 grand a month! 

Scott told me about a recent visit to a copier dealer where the dealer stated, "if I would have known about the amount of profit from water units I would have never started my own copier company".

Recently when I'm out visiting accounts, I've been keeping tabs on water units.  For the last 30 days in my territory, I've not seen one of the PHSI water units.  Wait a minute...., that's not a bad thing but it's an awesome opportunity for someone or some dealer.  For those accounts that have old style bottled water systems, it's an easy ROI sale based on knowing how many jugs of water that account is using.

I starting thinking about the other advantages that the PHSI water units offer. 

What's the extra value to the end user? 

Here's a few bullets that I came up with:

  • No longer does the client need to have an employee refill and lift those jugs of water, it's not about the lifting, but more about what happens if an employee is hurt on the job lifting those jugs.  The client can minimize their risk with workman comp claims.
  • What about the damage that's done when someone drops one of those full bottles of water, it happens, I've seen it, we have a hole in one of our walls at the office from an employee who dropped the bottle while trying to refill.
  • It's recommended that the older style bottle water coolers need to be cleaned for every four or five bottles of water to prevent the transfer of germs. Who does that and when was the last time you cleaned your bottle water cooler? 
  • How about the employee who is sick?  They grab the new bottle of water (oopsie forgot to clean my hands), tears off the seal, puts their hands on the neck of the water jug and then inserts the water jug in the system.  Their sickness is now your sickness. 
  • Where does that bottle water come from?  Who knows?  I'd rather have the water from the tap, knowing that the water has been filtered with the PSHI system.

The business model is simple, the buy-in is nominal, and copier dealers are ripe for adding this type of renewing revenue stream, because we have existing relationships with clients that use our copiers.  It's a no brainer for those dealer principals that want to create an additional revenue with minimal financial commitment.

But, there's more!  For those of us that may have urge to start our own business, why in the heck would you want to start your own copier business in today's market?  Scott mentioned that startup costs would be in between $80-$100k, and that includes the buy-in of 45 units, the cost of the office, the cost of the employees and everything else that's required to get a start up business going.

If I were not so entrenched in this industry and I was not of advanced age, I would dive head first into this business model. 

If interested please take a trip here and see how PHSI can make you a wealthy person.

-=Good Selling=-

Hardware included A MUST for the MSP

Over the last 25+ years I have participated in the Imaging Channel or what was once called the Copier Business. Over the last few years, I have been focused on helping in the transitioning of a legacy copier company, into a fully Managed IT Services and Managed Security Services Company. The transition for that company is complete and what I learned, is many articles. This article I will discuss the under-utilized program of leasing within the IT services sector. The Imaging Channel understands and has capitalized on leasing for years. The IT Services Channel must adopt a leasing strategy to deliver Managed Services both profitable and scalable. Why are they taking so long to figure this out is the question?

 The very essence of the cloud and its benefits was to allow organizations to eliminate the need for large cash expenditures. When a Managed Service Provider does not offer an option for leasing or renting Hardware, they are missing out on many opportunities and will eventually lose customers. The facts are - customers within the SMB market place are moving more and more to a pay as you go model. This is great news for the Managed Service Provider who understands the value of the reoccurring revenue model, and understands how to deliver both hardware and services through that reoccurring revenue model. The future for IT service providers, whether you like it or not, is a reoccurring revenue model. The question is whose model will it be delivered through? Yours or your competitor. A competitor who understands and can articulate the benefits and value of a monthly cost over capital out-lay. While at ImageQuest our percentage of customers who included Hardware in a monthly reoccurring model was over 85%. So I guess you could say, without a monthly hardware acquisition program, we would have 85% less customers. This fact should motivate the IT service provider, if it doesn’t, your competitors will thank you.

 If you would like some information on leasing, send me an email @ raystasieczko@gmail.com . I am also interested in learning how not having a leasing program brings you value for those who believe it’s not necessary.   

R.J. Stasieczko       

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