Tagged With "Diversifying Your Business"
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Re: Hiring Sales Reps - what are you hearing
Surprising there are no replies yet. I would figure this to be a "hot" topic. We recently found one in the age demographic that will work out. He has more than a 45 minute ride, has closed a few orders already. Maybe you need to show them $500 at the interview and ask how they would like to get that $500, by working a week or trying to talk you out of it. After reading your thread it seems that neither of those "salespeople" have the "desire" to compete, yet alone the determination to "win".
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Re: OKC-based company IMAGENET wants to keep employees’ $1,200 stimulus payments….
Good god. what a piece of work (Putting it nicely). Talk about screwing over your employees. At what point did this seem like a good idea for a company of Pats size. I know everyone is hurting but the 100 mil dealer is not hurting like the 5-10 mil dealer right now in my opinion. Glad he bowed to the pressure but that should have never been considered.
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Re: The End Of The Day With Ray! The MP and the Refugees
Thanks for sharing your story with us. It puts things in perspective. Stay safe.
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Re: COVID19 "Remote Working" Day Eighteen of Sales
People always like getting free stuff. Two promo ideas 1). Offer 1-5 free color banner prints to your clients and prospects.. Many copiers can now print banners up to 12"W by 48" L . This feature is often not promoted. It costs you almost nothing but the customer might perceive as having value. It could be "Open for Business", "Happy Birthday," "Grand Re-Opening", whatever. The customer can dictate the content. You can add a little logo in the corner of the banner "supplied by ABC Copier...
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Re: COVID19 "Remote Working" Day Eighteen of Sales
I like the second offer, yes people always like free
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Re: COVID19 "Remote Working" Day Forty-Three of Sales
SSG that's an awesome video! You can send links to clients, and direct them to your channel. It's a virtual demo that keeps on giving. Kudos I have some of the same issues with getting appointments through Linkedin, however I know of several peeps that use Linkedin as their only source for prospecting and they are doing well. I will keep working it since I have a Navigator account now
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Re: The End Of The Day With Ray! Beware of the Predators!!
Which episode did you comment that everybody is trying to sell Document Mgt systems these days and why you think that is not the best idea? BTW, I purchased some eLearn courses on www.selltowin.com because of one of your SAT AM episodes. Thanks,
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Re: Post-Virus We Must Defeat The Zombie Companies!
Although I am 60% on board with your move to A4 strategy, most of the rest of the stuff you are posting is "knocking it out of the park"! I would like to see a poll. As a business owner, during COVID-19 would you prefer? 1). No lease payments for 90 days 2). 1/2 price lease payments for one year The auto industry is pushing no payments for 90 days but I think business owners are more concerned about cash flow for the next year. I think the correct strategy is to offer as part of your...
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Re: Need HELP! Kyocera Color A3 question
Top three points I make when against Kyocera. #1. Take them color samples from your device and any Kyocera because the color output is sub par on all units. If you don’t have access to one look in your crm for an account you co-exist with Kyocera in. Or the next time you have a knock out make some samples and keep them in a binder. If color quality is important to the customer it will be a win. Another point is showing them you get what you pay for, meaning 3 tier color is what they have...
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Re: Marco Acquires New Jersey Copier/Printer Company
Art- the # of your competitors didn’t change , their fingers and toes are now a whole lot farther away from their head. I picture you as Yankee Doodle Dandy and they are the Red Coats. Perhaps they will be as successful as .....Danka or IKON or RBS/AOE or GlobalXRX or ....
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Re: Will outside Sales Rep's go away?
@fisher I agree almost completely, but to play devils advocate I will say that we are selling more desktop printers now than we ever have before. Mostly brother, as we became a partner a couple years ago. I think people are looking for reps to show them a better way than just buying another HP off amazon, but the rep still has to have a higher level conversation with the client...not just hey buy your printers from us.
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Re: Special Announcement from Art
CONGRATS ART! So excited for you and your family! Sucks to have been knocked with the flue so close to the birth of your grandchild, but take the great with the bad. I know we've spoke about it before, but my wife's still pregnant as yesterdays due date came and went. Kid doesn't realize he's impeding on poppa's schedule to sell! Congrats and get better soon!
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Re: Will outside Sales Rep's go away?
In 10 years there WILL be outside sales reps, and many of them will be the committed, true professionals of today. The E-Commence platform have changed our business and how we do it. For example gone are the days when you could duck into a 15 story office building and cold call. But electronic format can still be your attention getter and facilitate your efforts in creating interest. I can buy anything on line and cut out the sales person. Try doing your own investing and getting the right...
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Re: Print Copy Tool versus Plotworks
John, The PrintCopy Tool compares pretty favorably to Plotworks. I attached two documents to this post. The Product Support Guide lists differences between the two products. The PowerPoint has screen shots of all the settings in PrintCopy Tool. I hope this helps.
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Re: Ask Me Anything
Sounds like I missed a good knowledge drop last week Art! Had a pretty good excuse, but love the topics discussed! I'm always learning and part of this ongoing learning is something from your blogs/emails that I throw in my knowledge bucket. Keep it up and I appreciate what you do!
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Re: Ricoh Pro C5300
this is pretty cool, check out this page on Ricoh Japan site, use google chrome as your browser and then right click to select translate on the site https://www.ricoh.co.jp/pp/hep/
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Re: Things getting weird for Xerox Dealers
Very strange. I interact with the CRG on a regular basis and have had no indication of reduced staff, etc. I can’t comment on your issue with parts as we do not rely on xerox to send our parts, we stock and replenish out of our own warehouse. No substantial difference between xerox parts on b/o than Canon or HP. Not nearly as bad as Ricoh. We dropped the ricoh product years ago as we couldn’t handle the constant toner b/o issues. Parts I can somewhat understand, but toner? Hope that your...
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Re: 7 Deadly Topics from 7 Deadly Sinners at Top 100 Summit (Part One)
No, Art. You're spot on. I haven't had many jobs outside the industry, but the majority of the old guard is so proud of the way they've always done it & receives so much validation from other dealers with the same mentality (via BTA, CDA, SDG, et al) that they often refuse to admit the need to change until it's practically too late. There are ideas & concepts that I brought up 3-5 years ago that were considered to be "interesting but not really necessary" that we're suddenly latching...
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Re: Those Magnificent Men and Their Copy Machines
Almost three years ago, I wrote the above blog. I want to do a 2015 version. Please either post here or go to the forums and write a short paragraph about how your company is giving back to the community so that we can post the 2015 version of "Those Magnificent Men (Women) and Their Copy Machines". It would be great to see how we all contribute. Please post below. I re-posted the older version on the blog tonight also. Here is the link for the forums.
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Re: Those Magnificent Men and Their Copy Machines
Hey Art, Really admire your efforts in our industry and with your blog. Its been a long time resource to keep me updated in our industry. I will be celebrating 14 years at Martin Group, and was happy to see us represented in the list above. We are as enthusiastic as ever in supporting our communities, and below is a quick write up we refreshed to be current. Martin Group in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: Is a regional power house in the office equipment community. With 35 years in the industry, and...
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Re: Kyocera 6500i Mobile Print Question
Yes. Kyocera Mobile Print is available with all Kyocera printers and mfps. This is a free app on google play and lstore or Itunes depending on if it is a droid or apple device that you are using. This is an onsite solution that uses your wireless network. 100% free is the key for this PRINT/SCAN app.
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Re: Those Magnificent Men and Their Copy Machines
Hey Art, what do you recommend to transport copiers… ie stairclimbers or general devices to move copiers around re installs etc.? Thanks for your help. bob
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Re: When is Net New Business not Net New Business?
I've always learned the two terms separately: Net New Business: Placing an MFP into a new account that had no existing MFP Competitive Knockout: Displacing a competitor's MFP with your own Base Upgrade: Upgrading one of your current MFP's Base Net New: Adding a new MFP into one of your current accounts The terms would be based based on the department. So for your car dealer example, you would be an existing account for their service department but net new business for their sales department.
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Re: When is Net New Business not Net New Business?
Originally Posted by Czech: I've always learned the two terms separately: Net New Business: Placing an MFP into a new account that had no existing MFP Competitive Knockout: Displacing a competitor's MFP with your own Base Upgrade: Upgrading one of your current MFP's Base Net New: Adding a new MFP into one of your current accounts The terms would be based based on the department. So for your car dealer example, you would be an existing account for their service department but net new business...
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Re: When is Net New Business not Net New Business?
In my opinion, Net New is any revenue stream you did not previously have. Take over service of a competitor's equipment = Net New. Replace that machine purchased from a competitor with one of your own = Net New. Take over management of their print fleet or IT infrastructure = Net New. Replace those printers or computers, Net New. Time comes to renew those contracts at a lower or identical service payment= Upgrade. But, if their monthly payment increases, the difference between the old...
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Re: Budget Document Technology given 2015 Pro-Tech Service Award
Great Job Tom. This award reinforces what everyone already knows that works with your company- your focus is on taking care of your customers and run a great company.
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Re: Four Reasons Why I'm SO Excited about Print Audit Insight Dashboard!!
ty John! Love your products! Can't wait to meet you and the gang in September
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Re: How I turned $15 into a 24K Opportunity
Hey Art! I started using Aweber email software about 5 months ago. I send out a monthly newsletter with a customized template. People read it! Best part is that you always stay top of mind with your prospects. I actually exported my contact list from my CRM software and imported that into Aweber. Currently have about 100 prospects and customers in my email list. It's great! Much cheaper than a mailer.
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Re: Nsi Autostore
I can't answer your question but would like to add another: I understand that you can set this software to enable scanning to email, which in turn you can set up electronic signature for authorising invoices for a work flow? Is this true and what modules do you need?
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Re: Ricoh & Epson = "perfect together" NOT!
The Epson thing is a joke. You can buy it on-line for less than you can buy it from Ricoh and so can your customer. I've got a customer right now who is at end of term on a 48 month lease on a LW426 and I have no choice but to go back to them with the exact same machine......oh and my cost is now higher for that same machine thanks to Plotworks (which gets thrown in the garbage). Would love to have KIP now.
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Re: Ricoh & Epson = "perfect together" NOT!
Only 16% of W3601 users turned on Plotworks!!! (from PLP) Originally Posted by fisher: The Epson thing is a joke. You can buy it on-line for less than you can buy it from Ricoh and so can your customer. I've got a customer right now who is at end of term on a 48 month lease on a LW426 and I have no choice but to go back to them with the exact same machine......oh and my cost is now higher for that same machine thanks to Plotworks (which gets thrown in the garbage). Would love to have KIP now.
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Re: Ricoh & Epson = "perfect together" NOT!
Originally Posted by Art Post: Only 16% of W3601 users turned on Plotworks!!! (from PLP) Originally Posted by fisher: The Epson thing is a joke. You can buy it on-line for less than you can buy it from Ricoh and so can your customer. I've got a customer right now who is at end of term on a 48 month lease on a LW426 and I have no choice but to go back to them with the exact same machine......oh and my cost is now higher for that same machine thanks to Plotworks (which gets thrown in the...
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Re: Nsi Autostore
Maven , What I tell my customers and when I'm out with sales reps is it's all about getting things done in less steps. I'm in the legal vertical so time is money and everyone has an hourly billable. Right now here's the average user scan: 1.) User walks up to MFP and logs in 2.) Finds their name via LDAP or enters manually and then enters client and matter 3.) Selects Scan to email 4.) Sends PDF to their email 5.) Walks back to their desk 6.) Finds Canon Scan 00034789* (or doesn't because...
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Re: Nsi Autostore
Art, the big thing is for Nuance/Copitrak do this you need external tablets, and people are pretty sick of ecopy. We embed right in the MFP for Ricoh, Konica, Canon and Xerox so even if there's too many months left in the current lease we can embed the software in the current equipment and then just move the license to your MFPS when it's time to change hardware. I just did that with a POA rep in Denver, the customer had Canons and when they're ready switch we'll move it for a very small...
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Re: Bad salespeople still exist, don't they?
Spot on Art. I love Gary Vaynerchuk's famous quote, "Legacy is greater than currency." You never know where you will be in 5 years. Walking away from every deal with your reputation and integrity intact is more important.
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Re: up against the Xerox Phaser 7800 with a SP C831dn
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: Selling Copiers “The Good Ole Days”
Come on Art, admit it. After 30 years of the good old days you would have been bored out of your mind. It is fun to look back on though. Sent from my iPhone Please excuse typos Thank you and Have a Great Day > On Nov 18, 2015, at 12:07 AM, "Print4Pay Hotel" < alerts@hoop.la > wrote: >
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Re: Kyocera SWOT
Jake, First the positives. The apps are the differentiator hopefully they will keep rolling these out and updating the ones they have. The lines they are putting out are strong and reliable. Support from our local Kyocera reps is great both presales and and service support. On the other hand our techs do get somewhat frustrated with the help line. I've been with a Kyocera dealer for 8 years now and we just picked up Xerox as a second line. One of the weaknesses we saw with Kyocera is lack of...
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Re: The Death Of The B2B Salesperson [Infographic]
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: Slumps Happen... 3 Tips To Beat the Sales Funk
Great stuff Larry. A sales slump means you've fallen in love with the result more than the process. It's not a slump if you love selling and working with your clients.
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Re: Slumps Happen... 3 Tips To Beat the Sales Funk
The only tip I know of is to work your ass off. Slumps are directly related to not working hard. The hardier you work, the luckier you get!
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Re: W6700sp help!
Like Art, it is rare that a 6700 leaves here without the aftermarket try. Just a heads up on that tray.......if the customer bumps into the tray there is a very good chance that the metal tray will fall on your customer's feet. I had it happen to me. To see what I mean mount the tray on your 6700 and push the tray forward in the center......the two hooks will disengage and the tray will come crashing down. I came up with a very simple modification to this tray that will eliminate the...
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Re: Around the World with Ricoh
Ricoh Selects Juniper Networks to Modernize its Group-Wide Network Infrastructure TOKYO, Aug. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Juniper Networks (NYSE: JNPR ), an industry leader in automated, scalable and secure networks, today announced that Ricoh Group has successfully implemented Juniper Networks' high-performing solutions to modernize and simplify the operations of its core networking and security infrastructure that supports approximately 500 locations and 34,000 users in Japan. Ricoh Group...
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Re: Are Copier Sales Reps Asking the Right Questions
As you said, this blog wasn't meant to cover all the bases but your comments about brand loyalty and brand/service provider loyalty are only true if the decision maker has been the same for each decision. If you aren't talking to the owner, you may be talking to a totally different person than the one that made past decisions. You need to know that before you decide whether to pack your bags and walk away. Also, in a leased equipment environment, the decision to stay with the same brand and...
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Re: Why Social Selling Stinks for Most Copier Sales Reps
Very interesting point of view. Always informative. Old adage. The more activity the greater the results. Plan your work. Work your plan. Have a great day.
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Re: Toshiba e-Studio Erasable Toner 4508LP Questions
There is an all inclusive cpc charge for the Erasable Blue toner. The cost per copy analysis suggests that if on a 60 month lease you do not expect the the customer to erase more than 210,000 pages (3,500 pages per month) you can forget the parts cost and charge the same cpc as for Black at around $0.010 per page with a decent profit. There is no charge other than the users effort to recycle pages printed with erasable blue. If a sheet of paper costs $0.010 and Erasable Blue costs $0.010 you...