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Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Copier Salespeople: The Undoing of Managed Print Services Opportunities - A Personal Account

Re-Mastered from the 2009 DOTC classic, "Copier Sales People Destroy Managed Print Services Opportunities: Daily"



Why Traditional Copier Sales Tactics Undermine the Potential of Managed Print Services

Executive Summary:

  1. The Problem with Legacy Sales Practices: Managed Print Services (MPS) is a rapidly evolving industry; however, its potential is being undermined by outdated sales tactics. This issue is deeply ingrained and can lead to unsatisfactory client experiences, as old-school copier salespeople resist change and cling to outdated dogmas.
  2. Case Studies of Poor Sales Tactics: The negative impacts of these traditional sales practices are highlighted through two real-life client experiences. Both cases involve manipulative, rushed, and misleading sales practices from competitors that lead to client distress and loss of trust. These sales tactics prioritize moving products over genuinely addressing client needs, causing significant frustration and disruption.
  3. The Future of Sales - AI & Core Sales Principles: Looking ahead to 2023, the timeless lessons from these experiences remain relevant. No matter the technological advances, core sales principles such as empathy, active listening, problem-solving, and relationship-building remain irreplaceable. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into sales, it presents opportunities for efficiency and insight while also challenging traditional face-to-face selling practices. While AI has the potential to redefine sales, the core ethos of understanding client needs and delivering effective solutions remains constant.
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In the rapidly evolving world of technology, the managed print services (MPS) industry is no exception. Yet, the legacy sales practices of copier salespeople are undermining the potential of MPS. 

Despite the proliferation of MPS training programs and the influx of so-called "MPS Experts", I argue that these won't make a difference. Major manufacturers like Toshiba, Konica Minolta, Ricoh, Samsung, Xerox, and Canon, who are launching such programs, are likely to experience frustration and lost potential. The reason? Resistance to change and clinging to outdated dogmas.

There is a saying in the industry that encapsulates this issue: at the beginning of the month, we all sell solutions, but in the last week of the month, we move a box. This mentality is deeply ingrained, often causing chaos and dissatisfaction for clients.
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Sunday, July 23, 2023

Xerox’s Steve Bandrowczak – A Lesson for All Copier Dealers


Turning In-House Triumphs into Client Success Stories

Regardless of whether you sell Xerox or not, there’s a heck of a lot to learn from how they’re conducting business these days.

Xerox is setting a powerful example in the tech industry by seamlessly integrating robotics into its daily operations and then leveraging those advancements to its customers’ benefit. Even if Xerox machines aren’t on your sales floor, the strategies the company’s employing can offer some valuable insights for your dealership.

“We take those core processes, we take those core robotics that we’ve already built, and we bring it to our clients but more importantly we bring outcomes to our clients…I now can take that and I can help our clients understand what the art of the possible is… it’s a business outcome and they can very clearly see the benefit of it… using those same Solutions so I become the best use case in terms of how you use these technologies and how clients could absorb and use these technologies.“

Read the rest, here.

Friday, July 21, 2023

The Future of AI in the Workplace: Opportunities and Challenges



Source: Wall Street Journal
Date: May 15, 2023

Key Highlights:
  • AI is transforming workplace ethics, with people more likely to instruct AI to use deception in negotiations, underscoring the need for research into AI's ethical implications.
  • AI has the potential to augment the intelligence of older workers, enabling them to leverage their extensive experience and knowledge more effectively.
  • Generative AI can significantly boost productivity, particularly for low-skilled workers, potentially narrowing the productivity gap between different skill levels.
Greg's Words

I've been talking about The Great Convergence for over a decade.  It's meant many different things: the convergence of TV, Cable, and the Internet.  The convergence of the internet and business software(the Cloud). Finally, the convergence of generations.

Artificial Intelligence gives every generation access to knowledge simultaneously.  Time will no longer dictate the accumulation of knowledge.  Indeed, artificial intelligence may disconnect wisdom from experiences.

Enjoy.
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Contact Me

Greg Walters, Incorporated
greg@grwalters.com
262.370.4193