🏢OTT This Week: HP, Lexmark, and the Future of Hybrid Workspaces🖨️

"Is your job a friend or a foe?" That's the existential question HP's Work Relationship Index has us pondering this week. 

The Office Tech Tap's latest edition dives into the complex relationship between knowledge workers and their jobs, revealing that a staggering 73% of us are in a 'complicated relationship' with our work. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. 

From a labyrinthine lawsuit involving Lexmark and, oddly enough, a yogurt brand, to the future of hybrid workspaces, this issue is a smorgasbord of the latest trends and debates in office technology. 

Don't miss out on the conversation—subscribe to the Office Tech Tap newsletter today and stay ahead of the curve.

📢 Office Tech Tap Livestream Series Continues: The Future of Managed Print Services with MyQ

October 6, 2023, 1:00PM ET

As part of our ongoing Office Tech Tap livestream series, we're excited to spotlight the groundbreaking advancements in the realm of managed print services. 

And guess what? You're invited!  🔗 Secure Your Spot Now

Press Release - Top 100 Power Hour Becomes the West McDonald Co. Influencers' Circle

 

October 4, 2023

The acclaimed weekly event, the Top 100 Power Hour, is pivoting with a fresh direction under the experienced guidance of West McDonald Co. Starting this month, the curation of the influential list will transition to West McDonald Co., introducing a new approach to selecting the industry shapers and thought leaders.

Founder West McDonald, known for his past efforts in managed print and his current pragmatic vision in harnessing generative AI for business amplification, will personally handpick the individuals on the list based on their tangible influence that he has experienced firsthand. Not everybody on the current Top 100 list will transition to the Influencers' Circle as membership will be limited to 40 members. 

Moreover, the scope of the new Influencers' Circle is broadening beyond the office equipment channel to encompass various technology solution channels including Managed IT, Cybersecurity, and Generative AI among others. This expansion aims to foster a more holistic representation of the technology solutions space, encouraging a vibrant interplay of ideas and solutions.

Mandates Aren't Working: Who Needs a Copier?

Remote Work, 2010

Ah, the good ol' days when the hum of the office copier was a constant, and the line for the machine was a daily ritual. But as we've seen in recent times, the office landscape is changing, and with it, the demand for office technology like copiers.

The recent data paints a clear picture: post-Labor Day, we saw a slight uptick in office attendance, but it's still a far cry from the bustling offices of 2019. Despite the efforts of big-name companies like Meta Platforms to enforce stricter return-to-office rules, the national return rate remains stubbornly low. And let's face it, if employees are working from home, who needs a copier?

The Digital Mirage: Navigating the Illusion of B2B Sales in a Post-Paper World

By Gordon P. Thompson

_________

In a world where bytes replace ink, can the human touch still seal the deal?

Amidst Tokyo's neon embrace, I found solace in an izakaya, where the past and present coalesced. As the digital age reshaped the world outside, the warm sake in my hand whispered tales of a time when business was more than just transactions.

The world of B2B sales, especially in office technology, has always been a dance of adaptability. Greg Walters from The Imaging Channel once reflected on the evolution of B2B sales strategies. The tools of the trade have evolved, but the essence? It remains rooted in trust and understanding.

The Ugly Truth: Selling is not an Artform - It's an Algorithm

"Selling is an Art" is A Lie.

In the world of sales, there's a pervasive narrative that "Selling is an Art." This perspective is often championed by sales management and trainers, painting a romanticized picture of the sales profession. But why is this narrative so prevalent, and what purpose does it serve?

At its core, the idea of selling as an art form is a motivational tool. By elevating the act of selling to the status of artistry, sales management and trainers aim to instill a sense of pride, purpose, and self-worth in salespeople. The underlying message was clear: you're not just pushing a product or service; you're crafting a masterpiece, engaging in a dance of persuasion, and creating a unique experience for the customer.

However, there's a darker side to the story, there always is. 

Framing selling as an art, is suggests that you possess a unique, almost mystical skill set that sets you apart from others. This leads to your inflated sense of self-importance, making you believe you hold a special place in the corporate hierarchy and the sales realm. In reality, you are a victim of a strategic move to keep you motivated, driven, and, most importantly, loyal to the company.

AI Will Replace Millions of Sales Professionals: "Anyone Telling You Different, Is Selling Something"*

Sidebar: AI will first eliminate Purchasing Agents.

Greg's Words:

One day, much sooner than you can imagine, your past prospects will incorporate an AI Agent to help them, "...optimize their existing business processes and workflows..."

One day, much sooner than you can imagine, your past prospects will build their own "...trusted advisor..."

One day, much sooner than you can imagine, your prospects will revel in experiencing sales without ever speaking to or meeting with You.

One day, much sooner than you can imagine, organizations that build technology solutions, hardware, software, consulting and advisory services will incorporate an AI Agent to communicate and manage, "...the customer experience and selling journey..."

One day, much sooner than you can imagine, providers of IT and Office Technology will have a team of AI Selling Professionals who work 24/7, never get sick, never get emotional, and exceed quota, every single month.  

Over time, quotas will go the way of the typewriter.