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Tagged With "Social Sales Academy"

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Re: What's the weirdest place you've sold a copier to?

Art Post ·
Lol, those were two good ones! I can't remember if I've ever had weird sale.
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Re: All Ricoh A4 devices = no stapler

Czech ·
If it helps, Canon A4 staplers are usually around $900 whole sale.
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Re: All Ricoh A4 devices = no stapler

Art Post ·
WOW!
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Re: All Ricoh A4 devices = no stapler

BCarroll ·
$650 on a B&W A4, $615 on a color A4. Ricoh is missing the boat one this one...
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Re: Will outside Sales Rep's go away?

Jason H ·
@Monte I hope/think that even though buyers will research online that they will still want some interaction with a salesperson. If in fact the manufacturers allow the sale of high end MFP's online then the dealers will have to change a lot of how they do business. My hope though is that it does not come down to this. I buy a lot online and my wife grocery shops online and has them delivered to the house, BUT I don't look at most things like groceries. I want to go talk to my insurance agent.
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Re: Charge for IT support

Jason H ·
We had never charged for it after the sale until about 6 months ago due to people calling all the time for driver installs, scanning issues related to their internet etc. We used to offer an optional network/it yearly agreement and people would decline and then start calling for help. We decided to send out, initially an opt-out to ever customer who had current devices, and after every sale send one out. We did it as an opt out due to the fact that customers would decline the option and...
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Re: up against the Xerox Phaser 7800 with a SP C831dn

copyme ·
Thanks and congrats on your sale and the others. Also thank you for the link and your advice. The company is a small design firm and I don't think they go all out with the Pantone matching and that calibration tool. I will let you know if I sell it.
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Re: The Death Of The B2B Salesperson [Infographic]

VinceMcHugh ·
Art, I call Bull ****! At least for our industry, the copier industry! This may be true of a commodity (like envelopes, or coffee, or even a PC) but copiers, really MFDs require a lot of attention, both before and after a customer buys it. This article seems to be written by an old brick & mortar company that successfully transitioned to internet sales. This will work for any company that drop ships their products. And I agree that the MFD manufacturers would LOVE for this to be, or...
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Re: Is selling at cost the future for print hardware?

lep524 ·
Interesting approach to the sales process. Strikes me the next promo is for 10% below sticker price...of course unlike cars, manufacturers don't put a sticker price on MFP's to advise the public what the price is supposed to be. At this point we find the margin we are able to obtain on most sales of hardware barely covers the cost of sales for the product...any business profits come from services bundled around the hardware, either connectivity plans, support plans, supplies for colour etc.
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Re: A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Copier Demo/Appointment

bill w ·
Had a demo years ago on a fax machine. Had a big wheel from corporate wanting to do a ride along with a rep for the day. Customer wanted to see quality and asked one of their customers to send a test fax. As all the admin complained about the speed, the corp guy explained that a very detailed fax would take more time because of memory issues. As everyone crowded aroud the fax to innspect, a very vivid porn image was reproduced with striking detail. We made the sale
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Re: Is selling at cost the future for print hardware?

CashGap ·
Not true. But car dealers routinely "train" using whatever version of the truth they think will make a sale.
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Re: Scan in One City, Print in Another

good lad ·
The mind boggles! So the customer has the software applications that you reference and you are trying to find them a 'cheap' 'solution'......? Why? They have spent tens of thousands of dollars on those applications..all of which enhance their productivity as a law firm. You have a comprehensive solution to leverage (i.e. make work better!) each of their committed software applications and you think it might be 'expensive'? Come on, you have done more than most competitors simply by the fact...
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Re: Matt Espe named CEO of Ricoh Americas Corp

Art Post (Guest) ·
Not only that if you look back on posts from the P4P Hotel, Ikon was buying back stock 6-8 months prior to the sale, insider trading at it's best!
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Re: Ricoh Ikon Letter

Laxfan25 ·
Old Glory, you are way off-base regarding profitability to Ricoh on an $8,000 sale through the dealer or through their direct channel. When Ricoh sells to the dealer, the dealer is responsible for all ofthe end-marketing expenses related to the brick-and-mortar + sales rep expenses. When Ricoh (or other mfrs) run their own branches, there is a tremendous amount of overhead associated with that operation. Hence, this is one reason why Ricoh's dealer division, while smaller, was the only part...
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Re: When was the last time you did a demo in your demo room?

SalesServiceGuy ·
When you say you take a copier to a customer for a demo... Is it a Conditonal Sale? I will do this but only on the terms of if the MFP works as described you agree to buy/ lease that same unit without any further demos. I have seen too many potential customers do the Vendor merry go round with six copier vendors to get free copiers for several months. I have seen too many RFQs where a customer has to get three quotes and you are unexpected lowest bid. They ask you in for demo but never...
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Re: When was the last time you did a demo in your demo room?

Art Post (Guest) ·
Re: When was the last time you did a demo in your demo room?
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Re: Top 9 Blunders that B2B Sales Reps Make

Art Post (Guest) ·
Blunder #2: They ask obvious questions. What they do: They ask lots of questions that could have easily have been answered by searching the Internet. Why they do it: They figure they can wing it, usually because they’re over-confident in their ability to make the sale. What happens: They end up wasting valuable one-on-one time with a busy customer who has other things to do that provide a free education. Your Action Plan: To avoid this blunder, always research the customer thoroughly before...
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Re: Top 9 Blunders that B2B Sales Reps Make

Art Post (Guest) ·
Blunder #7: They avoid closing the deal. What they do: They spend so much effort into building the opportunity that they never quite get to the business of closing it. Why they do it: They’ve invested in the opportunity that they’re afraid that the answer will be “NO”, which will mean that all that effort was a waste of time and that the prospect doesn’t really “like” the sales rep. What happens: The opportunity dies on the vine or goes to the competition. Your Action Plan: To avoid this...
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Re: Top 9 Blunders that B2B Sales Reps Make

Art Post (Guest) ·
What they do: They give in to last minute demands from the prospect, usually for extra discounts, “or else the deal is off.” Why they do it: They’re deathly afraid of losing the deal at the end of the sale cycle, so they crumple when the prospect pushes. What happens: The customer rightfully concludes that 1) the rep didn’t offer the best deal from the start and 2) the rep lacks a backbone. The customer thus no longer trusts the rep and will constantly push for more and more and more and...
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Re: How will the earth quake in Japan affect...

Anders And ·
Most of the copiers we sell are assembled in Europe, but the parts come from China, Japan etc. So if the quake is going to have an impact on our sale then it probably won’t happen until (maybe) this summer... MP C toner is produced in Japan and bottled in US (according to the package) That could be an issue if the toner factories are affected
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Re: Should you ever sell something for nothing?

Deanw ·
I agree with you. Unfortunately many sales reps don't have the long term approach to realize that they are developing a territory almost like their own business. A sale is not just valued by the commission you make, it is also a seed you are planting. or as my first sales manager always told me, "copiers have babies"
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Re: Ask Art "Email from MFP Solutions Blog Reader"

CopyFax Jax ·
I love it! Truth be told, if he makes his offices more efficient for everyone, he will attract more agents, buyers, and sellers and will pay for his copiers many times over and over.
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Re: PPDM from Ricoh, Questions

Old Glory ·
I don't know what Ricoh's opinion would be on this (don't really care) but we accumulate licenses and then distribute them strategically. I sold a single license last week for $350 and charged an additional $150 for client PC install and limited training. Since we have no cost, my company counts it all as GP. I quoted a C300 and said we would include a PPDM license for free if they bought two C300's. I am able to provide a value-add at no cost to me. C300 doesn't come with PPDM but it can if...
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Re: Ricoh Launches New Aficio MFPs With App2Me Solution

Deanw ·
I have been playing with app2me recently and can see some advanatages like when a mobile worker goes office to office they won't have to install drivers to print. If they have app2me installed and we have app2me enabled they will be able to print easily. I'm interested to see if anyone has taken this to market and how it has been recieved. Also at this time we include initial connectivity with the sale of our MFP products. I could see customers also wanted app2me manager installed on all...
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Re: Ricoh Launches New Aficio MFPs With App2Me Solution

JasonR ·
Without limits? If you sold a 171 and the customer had 50 workstations, you would install the print driver (and then the fax driver) on every one of them? My suggestion is to incorporate a reasonable limit to the installs. The customer needs to learn how to install the driver anyway since I doubt you would come back out in six months to install a driver on their new PC. Five workstations per device seems to work well. That's enough to make sure everything is working and train the customer...
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Re: Q. How does your company handle networking charges?

Art Post (Guest) ·
Dealer network install for scan, print, fax upto four workstations included in the sale, sales person is charged back in the deal for it. After the sale, customer can buy block time for network services or be charged $150 per hour. Pretty much is a user goes to win7 and needs new drivers it's 100% billable or they can buy block time.
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Re: Would You Loan this company Money?

Art Post (Guest) ·
Currency in Millions of U.S. Dollars As of: Mar 31 2008 USD Mar 31 2009 USD Mar 31 2010 USD Mar 31 2011 USD 4-Year Trend NET INCOME 16.0 1.9 -21.6 -32.6 Depreciation & Amortization 6.3 6.5 4.7 9.0 DEPRECIATION & AMORTIZATION, TOTAL 6.3 6.5 4.7 9.0 (Gain) Loss from Sale of Asset -0.1 0.2 0.1 4.9 (Gain) Loss on Sale of Investment 0.9 0.1 0.0 -- (Income) Loss on Equity Investments -0.3 -0.2 -0.3 -- Change in Accounts Receivable 12.0 5.6 8.7 -6.1 Change in Inventories 0.3 -16.3 25.8 -4.0...
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Re: New Ricoh 4410SPF "brainshark" review

fisher ·
What margin??? I think the spread between dealer cost and MSRP is about $400. For me to be comfortable giving the customer the level of support I give them on an MFP after the sale I would need to walk away with at least $350 in my commission check on the deal. That means I would need to charge at least $2,100 for the sale and installation of this product. That's why I don't pay much attention to small machines. Just can't make enough on them. I wind up giving more support after the sale on...
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Re: New Ricoh 4410SPF "brainshark" review

txeagle24 ·
These require significantly less service/support than the Ricoh table-top machines. The opportunity to make money on these is by selling them to replace printers as part of an MPS engagement & making your money on the aftermarket. Also, if you're replacing an MP2000 machine, and the customer doesn't need 11 x 17, they would be thrilled with this machine, and you could make solid margin because of the price spread between the MP2000 and this unit. I'll be curious to see how the Ricoh...
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Re: Proximity Card Reader

montecore ·
Good job! If they are using MIFARE cards you should be good to go. Just make sure you get a sample to test. Remember just because it reads the card does not mean it will track for bill back purposes. That is where a software solution comes in. I forgot to ask what Canon model are you considering? Make sure it is an advance series. Do you have access to Canon ISG Central? They is an entire presentation on AAProx that you should definitely know the in's and out's BEFORE you meet with the GM.
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Re: PaperCut

wyzguynyuk ·
I just sold my first PaperCut installation. While I haven't been involved in a physical installation yet, I've seen PaperCut's WebEx presentation several times and I've yet to see any real differences in PaperCut vs. Print Audit (other than price). I'm not saying they don't exist, just saying I was fairly impressed with the features touted in the presentation (and obviously, so was the client that purchased the software). JasonR's comments regarding PaperCut's inability to track...
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Re: PaperCut

sbachhansen ·
You would be correct in the difference from the Papercut NG version vs. the MF version. We have sold about a dozen variations and it is a great product that makes a lot of sense. We have implemented it with MPS and MF solutions and it helps us keep the competition out. It's also great with swipe cards (HID/Kastle, etc...). Good luck.
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Re: OKI Data and Toshiba Tec Agree to Joint Development of Multifunction Printers

SalesServiceGuy ·
I cannot comment with authority but I suspect Toshiba has a larger global distribution and sales than Okidata. Toshiba has been looking for a way into the A4 market for years other than simply reselling HP and Lexmark product. Toshiba TEC just spent a $900M to buy IBM's Point of Sale division so another purchase is likely not in the works.
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Re: OKI Data and Toshiba Tec Agree to Joint Development of Multifunction Printers

David Broaden ·
Rumors have swirled for years on Toshiba's exit of the MFP industry. Inspite..... of their recent and aggressive dealer acquisitions. Neither entity is strong enough to stand on its on. Especially due to the consolidation the industry has already seen. Ricoh/Ikon, Canon/OCE, Konica/Minolta, etc. I agree that both have been low price leaders in the US market as well, and the marriage is a good one. This is the start of Toshiba's exit, and eventual sale to Oki Data. Oki Data just didnt have...
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Re: 0% Copier Financing

Keith Hachey ·
0% Interest financing is a popular financing tool across the board - you see it in the auto industry, furniture, IT (such as your apple example). It has never been a big seller in the Office Equipment industry business due to the business model that the dealers/manufacturers sell with. Many dealers are selling FMV leases (we like the upgrades)and not highlighting to the customer the actual cash purchase price of the equipment. 0% works best when a customer see's a purchase price (let's say...
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Re: Japan's Sharp Corp plans to sell its copiers and air conditioners businesses

SalesServiceGuy ·
DAIWA HOUSE INDUSTRY CO., LTD. is a Japan-based construction company engaged in eight business segments. The Housing segment is involved in the contract work and sale of houses. The Leasing Housing segment develops, constructs and manages leasing houses, and provides agency services. The Condominium Building segment develops, sells and manages condominium buildings. The Housing Stock segment is engaged in the contract work of building reconstruction and the agency of real estate trading. The...
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Re: Japan's Sharp Corp plans to sell its copiers and air conditioners businesses

Art Post (Guest) ·
Somewhere near last.... However, I just picked up this press release from Rueters also: Sharp seeking over $1.2 bln for plant and other assets -Yomiuri * Sharp also in talks to sell some Tokyo offices -Yomiuri * Sharp will struggle to find buyer for solar business-source By Reiji Murai and Tim Kelly TOKYO, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Cash-strapped Sharp Corp is in talks to sell its key solar panel plant in Japan as part of an asset sale seeking more than $1.2 billion, local media said on Thursday,...
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Re: Japan's Sharp Corp plans to sell its copiers and air conditioners businesses

Art Post (Guest) ·
Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America Sharp Electronics Corporation One Sharp Plaza • Mahwah, New Jersey 07495-1163 • e-mail: SIICAmktg@sharpsec.com • www.sharp-pc.com EXECUTIVE BULLETIN August 16, 2012 Dear SIICA Dealers: As many of you have recently read, Sharp Corporation is in the process of revitalizing our operations in order to be more competitive. While this process takes time, we are moving aggressively to position ourselves for future growth. However, during this period,...
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Re: Japan's Sharp Corp plans to sell its copiers and air conditioners businesses

Art Post (Guest) ·
So, what can we take from this? 1. They are worried that current Sharp USA Dealers will jump ship and accelerate Sharp's demise home and abroad. 2. Sharp is not currently negotiating the sale of businesses, well usually when you hear of something this big you can bet your bottom dollar that indeed there is something going on. I'm sure Nikkei would not report or speculate and then state that "Sharp plans to sell......" For years on the forums, we've heard and found out that most of the...
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Re: I have a buyer in South America

Chuck ·
Should also be VERY FAMILIAR with export rules and regulations, i.e. who is responsible for collection of duties, certifications, quality, insurance, etc and be clear if YOUR SUPPLIER permits sale for foreign resale. Cash is good thing but just the start.
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Re: Use of LinkedIn as a sales tool

Art Post (Guest) ·
I'm now experimenting with my own personal blog, you'll see the links this week when reading one of my P4P Blogs. In it each blog I'll be using keywords an links that describes a recent sale (of course I'll be leaving out the customer name), but I will be addressing the vertical market, and the solution or the reason why I was picked as the vendor of choice. This is too also address the lack of leads that I get my Ricoh and from the ealership I work for. I have not have a real lead in my...
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Re: Toshiba America Business Solutions Launches a Dedicated Services Organization

SalesServiceGuy ·
The timing is right. 1st day of a new half. At the same time, a lot of effort, energy and resources are being made to accomodate the new IBM/ Toshiba TEC Point of Sale acquisition.
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Re: Managed Network Services discussion

VinceMcHugh ·
Art, We looked at All Care through Konica Minolta but the contract T's & C's were so one sided we thought it was written by the Mafia. The bottom line was they got paid (by the Dealership) whether or not the customer paid you or not. I was speaking to a VP of a large independent dealer on the east coast who had a discussion with the principal of his company. What it would take for his company to do Managed Network Service. His answer was we can: 1) Hire people 2) Partner with a company...
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Re: More layoffs at Ricoh

yeti ·
So this is the Eight Pillar Ricoh Transformation Project. From what I've heard Mike Dane has either been terminated or presented a "Retirement Package" and he's not the only member of the SMT to get one. one one side I've Its Ikon people getting the boot on the other side its Ricoh. I can't imagine how any ales rep worth his salt will stay with Ricoh, I've been hearing about sales not getting their commission for up to 8 months after the sale. Ricoh is also losing Millions because of their...
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Re: What is the future for DigiDoc Flow, eCopy and NSI?

SalesServiceGuy ·
Toshiba seems to be taking the position of developing customized processors that are optimized for MFPs. The benefit is much smaller size, faster processing (measured by quicker FCOT) and lower power consumption. Many manufacturers use "off the shelf" PC processors due to lower cost and less complicated to develop. Xerox commonly convinces buyers to include the spec, "must have a minimum of a 1.2 Ghz processor" for their Black only copiers as a "knock-out" feature. The MFP industry will...
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Re: More layoffs at Ricoh

good luck ·
Little harsh there don't you think? Never easy to make cuts, but sometimes cuts are actually addition by subtraction, at least the way I've viewed them over the last few years. I see another round coming at some point as there is some still fat on the plate that can go.
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Re: Ricoh Dealership in Minnesota will buy.......

VinceMcHugh ·
Independent Dealers will never compete successfully with any Direct _BS branch on price. The _BS Branch has shown that they are willing to run their branches at a loss for years! We must sell at a profit, IMHO they should (Legally) have to also sell at a profit (Don't get me started on dumping). If you work for an independent dealer and you are trying to compete with a _BS Branch (that sells your product) on price then you are playing into their hands, and you are going broke. They can...
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Re: Ricoh Dealership in Minnesota will buy.......

CashGap ·
Keep in mind, auto manufacturers would directly dominate car sales if not for state laws designed to protect local dealers passed in the early 20th century. Some very interesting reading on the subject... http://www.justice.gov/atr/public/eag/246374.htm
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Re: Padded Lease Rates

Art Post (Guest) ·
Yoda, thanx so, considering that the sale is 20,000, the sales persom uses .0204 and the payment is $408 to the customer. The money funded from the leasing company to the dealership is $20,833 right?
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Re: Padded Lease Rates

Old Glory ·
That explains things some. Our "pad" is 12%. That means your company keeps an extra 3% of the GP on every sale before commissions then gives that back in the form of higher commissions or bonuses. If the average commission is 30% than approximately 1% of the profit is "held back" in your case to reward superior performance. Nothing wrong with that...just another way to slice the pie.
 
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