"Roll the Dice" I often describe the office print environment in one word, "overcapacity".
Even as manufacturers (Ricoh, Xerox, Canon) start to make smaller footprint devices - it wasn't that long ago when copier reps would mock those little devices - businesses have more print and copy capacity than they need.
My point: we've been over-purchasing (or over-sold) print devices for decades and it's because the decision process has been unmanaged.
Well, that's not one hundred percent accurate - copier acquisition, printer procurement, supplies fulfillment, and service request procedures have, for the most part, been managed - they've just been managed by VENDORS AND SUPPLIERS.
Not customers.
Think about it -
Who tells you the lease buyout figure?
Who determines the "best" device for your needs?
Who conducts the 'agnostic' assessment?
Who interfaces almost daily with your end-users? To you they are end-users, to the vendors, they represent 1,500 images a month.
Expecting your copier, printer, or toner supplier to build a program that supports your cost reduction program is like expecting the wolf not to eat the rabbit.
ENX is celebrating the people making a difference across the document imaging industry. Every two years, a few notables in the copier and printing industry receive kudos from their peers.
This year, I received a request from Scott Cullen, asking for input.
I've known Scott for a while - interviewed me, many years ago. I was impressed, I still am, with his ability to draw out relevant information (like a good assessment) and present an easy to identify story(like a good proposal). He is good people.
I've also known Susan Neimes for a long time. She's managed to stay among the top of the media heap, through the turbulence. Good form.
I am often asked for input on a variety of subject matter. Here is Scott's request and my response:
Hi Greg,
I'm pretty sure I sent you an e-mail about this already, but just in case, here you go again. As someone who has been around the document imaging industry for awhile, I'd appreciate your input. I know you're busy preparing for ITEX (I'll see you there.), but hopefully you have a few minutes before or after to give this some thought.
The May issue of ENX is celebrating the people making a difference across the document imaging industry...
Here’s the criteria to help with your suggestions: The thought leaders and individuals from all corners of the industry (hardware, services, solutions, supplies, associations, analysts and consultants) whose knowledge and opinions their peers and others in the industry value. Some may be doing a terrific job of leading their organizations and building a business, or in some cases, multiple businesses. Others are front and center at industry events, participating in panels and seminars, and networking with other document imaging industry professionals. Some are active on social media or contributing content to industry publications.
You can recommend as many or as few as you would like.
Thanks in advance for your help...
Cheers,
Scott Cullen
Editorial Director
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My answer is simple: no more usual suspects.
Any thought leader would have nothing to do with manufacturing hardware, so that removes a grip of people.
Real visionaries see OEM enforced quotas as oppressive, this negates others.
Analysts/consultants pontificate based on rearview data and parrot spec sheets as analysis, nothing there either.
Finally, an "MPS program" is no longer innovative and barely relevant.
Nothing from OEMs, the standard copier model participants, analysts, or program managers. "We've always done it this way..."
There is, however, a collection of luminaries:
Mike Stramaglio - Ignore for a second, battling the monopoly, Mike is compelling channel players re-evaluate their entire accounting system and business model.
Kevin DeYoung - Kevin refused to play the OEM-shuffle-for-shelf-space game long ago and continues to expand the minds of his clients. Jenna Stramaglio - The Family knows technology and Jenna is great at conveying bold messages.
Kevin Morris - Kevin Morris is running the best MPS model in the industry, he has no peers. Jennifer Shutwell - For those ready to see, Jennifer, through her work with your MPSA and end users, has illuminated relevant facets of the MpS ecosystem. Milton Bartley - Milton is an example of successfully pivoting from the status quo, copier model.
Andy Slawetskey - Media aggregator supreme, he gets the words out consistently and has toner in his blood.
Seven points of lights in a crowded, cluster of normalcy.
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There you have it. I may not be a 'difference maker' in 2017...but, I'm good not being on a list.
What if one day, while staring out your parent's window, watching retirees water their lawns, you realize that after everything, all the adventures, meetings, and journeys of the previous years, you've become a cliche, irrelevant? The world stops and you're alone - moving through a bad dream, in slow motion. Stunned.
Nobody wants to be forgotten, cast aside, wounded, not even dead. But it happens. Has it happened to you? Hurts? Don't it?
For CIO's and IT Departments, this could be your future. Irrelevancy. Once you see 'the retirees watering their lawns' can you adjust your unit, make the changes and move through the worst?
Maybe...
If you've made the jump from ambivalent ignorance, also known as "bliss", to hard, 12 degree below freezing, self-recognition, reality, here are some ideas that might warm you up:
Help formulate the organization's long term business goals.
Back in olden-times, knowing the difference between EBCDIC and WYSIWYG meant something important. Today, its EBIDA.
Look for 'partners' instead of 'vendors'.
'Partners' are shoulder to shoulder with you during tough times; 'vendors' sell out of a hotdog cart. Search out deeper relationships, not discounts.
Walk a mile in your end-user's shoes.
Cross training doesn't only refer to athletic programs - consider spending time at a nurses station or in Revenue Cycle. Insight is guaranteed.
Three simple ideas that promise significant impact for your staff, executive management and end user community.
