New to Copier Sales – Your Anti-Sales Plan

As autumn creeps across the United States, and the final quarter begins, how should a new copier representative plan for the end of one year and the beginning of another? It’s time to close out and plan for what’s next.

There are plenty of traditional approaches: write a strategy, review it with your manager, track your progress and adjust as needed – old school.

Let me ask you or, better yet, ask your colleagues: how often does that process work?  Not very.

The illusion of control

Everyone has done it. You write it out, and by January 2 it’s forgotten. 

Read the rest, here.

Selling is Not Art. Apparently, Niether is Art. "Unsupervised", AI Δnαrchy and You

Art is not Art. 

Unless you're referring to the copier Wizard in Jersey.

"...the piece uses a machine learning model to reinterpret over 200 years of art from MoMA's archives, generating ever-changing audiovisuals..."

Predictably, my recent posts, "The Ugly Truth: Selling is not an Artform - It's an Algorithm" and 'AI Will Replace Millions of Sales Professionals: "Anyone Telling You Different, Is Selling Something", elicited a few negative responses.

Have You Found What You're Looking For?

The other day, on LinkedIn, I was referred to as 'grandpa' - which made me laugh.  The prose that followed exposed the poster simple minded.

Young.

Xerox is The Death of The Copier: Unleashed 🐦🔥

The Third Day

📈 Breaking News: Xerox's Latest Earnings Report 📈

Before we dive into the transformative journeys of Xerox and IBM, it's worth noting the latest earnings report from Xerox. The company recently swung to a third-quarter profit, with a net income of $49 million—a significant turnaround from last year's loss. This positive financial performance adds another layer to the story of Xerox's ongoing transformation. 

Now, let's get into the article.

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The 'Death of the Copier', a phrase that conjures images of obsolescence, but let's set the record straight. 

When I say 'Death of the Copier,' I'm talking about the ultimate rebirth of beliefs, norms, status quo, and in this case, Xerox. 

Xerox has metamorphosed from a company synonymous with photocopying to a digital force offering augmented reality, AI-driven services, and so much more. This isn't just survival; it's enlightenment.

But will it last?  Is Xerox set to survive or thrive?  Are we watching an elephant dance?

📑OTT This Week: AI-Boosted Copier Sales and M&A

October 19, 2023 – Office Tech Tap Newsletter

Ready to rethink what office tech can do for you? This week’s Office Tech Tap Newsletter is your guide to the future, exploring everything from the transformative role of AI in copier sales to the changing dynamics of Mergers and Acquisitions in the industry. We also delve into the fast-paced world of Managed Print Services, where the paper may be folding, but innovation is unfolding. Your feedback is our North Star, so dive in and let us know your thoughts. 🌟🧭

• 🤖💵 Time is money, and AI is your new cashier: In the realm of copier sales, AI is not just a tool; it’s a game-changer. By automating tasks like lead scoring and follow-ups, AI frees up sales reps to focus on relationship-building and closing deals, ultimately boosting efficiency and revenue. Read the full article here.
• 🔄 The Copier Dealer M&A: Dancing Through Office Tech’s Shifting Sands Mergers and Acquisitions in the copier industry are evolving. It’s not just Original Equipment Manufacturers acquiring dealers anymore; dealers are becoming the acquirers, leveraging their economic positions for growth. Read the full article here.
• 🔄 Mind the Gap: AI’s Adoption vs. Training Conundrum – Ricoh. Ricoh’s article highlights the widening gap between AI adoption and essential training in the managed print services sector. This gap is not just a hurdle; it’s a liability and an opportunity for differentiation. Read the full article here.
• MPS – 🖨️ Deep Dive: MPS From Cloud Highs to Market Tides The Managed Print Services landscape is ever-changing, driven by cloud-based solutions and market dynamics. This article serves as a roadmap for providers to not just survive but thrive in this dynamic sector. Read the full article here.

Your feedback is invaluable to us. Navigate through this week’s insights and let us know your thoughts. 🌟🧭

Subscribe Today!

Artificial Intelligence And Your Dealership: The Next Managed Print Services?

Did you know that back in 2009, the term 'managed print services' was met with outright disdain? Dealers and OEMs would exclaim, 'Shrink the fleet to reduce costs? That's heresy in a world built on selling copiers!' Fast forward to today, and we're on the cusp of another paradigm and the most significant shift—this time, powered by Artificial Intelligence.

As Andrew Ng, co-founder of Google Brain and a leading voice in AI, puts it, 'AI is the new electricity.' Just as electricity transformed numerous industries over a century ago, AI is poised to do the same today. 

So, is AI merely the new MpS, or is it something far more transformative?

• Mckinsey: $4.4T of value added world-wide annually
• 80% of all jobs are subject to being enhanced by Generative AI
• In just the last year, a staggering 400 AI start-ups have emerged, gobbling up an eye-watering $24.6 billion in investment. Source: Visual Capitalist

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For the last six months, I've been using Artificial Intelligence (AI)in the form of a Large Language Model (LLM) every single day - cutting edge.  More like bleeding edge.

Why aren't you using AI? Today?

What Can the Three Stooges Teach You About Selling Copiers

 

Is there a Stooge in you waiting to clinch that next deal with a dash of humor?

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to the most insidious earworm known to mankind.  One listen and you'll be humming the tune and looking for this song in that big book of karaoke.

But seriously, what in the world can you, the technology salesperson possibly learn from the Three Stooges?  

Let's start at the beginning.  For those unfamiliar with the comedic threesome, The Three Stooges were an act back in the days of vaudeville back in the 1930s and 40s.  They performed slapstick comedy.  Beyond the intense physical presentations, the trio took on Hitler as well as other 'heady' topics of the time.

"From their debut film feature Soup to Nuts in 1930, to their swan song Kook's Tour in 1970, The Three Stooges enthralled the viewing public with their unusual brand of slapstick comedic mayhem and off-the-wall verbal antics."