Tagged With "Contrarian Salesperson"
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Re: Will outside Sales Rep's go away?
@Monte I hope/think that even though buyers will research online that they will still want some interaction with a salesperson. If in fact the manufacturers allow the sale of high end MFP's online then the dealers will have to change a lot of how they do business. My hope though is that it does not come down to this. I buy a lot online and my wife grocery shops online and has them delivered to the house, BUT I don't look at most things like groceries. I want to go talk to my insurance agent.
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Re: Will outside Sales Rep's go away?
I'll chime in. Like TML I'm in my early 30's and have been selling copy hardware for nearly 10 years. I think good sales people as a whole are quickly becoming scarce. Millennials don't seem to like to interact with others if they don't have to and as most "print" decisions move to IT, online buying is already what they know. Overall it is a convenience factor, they don't have to submit a form to a website and wait a couple days for salesperson to try and up-sell them to an A3 MFP. They...
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Re: Target GP Margins
I heard it through the grapevine a while back that RBS (at least in DFW) is no longer sending field reps out unless opportunities are above a certain value, meaning they are handling the sales process via telephone and email from start to finish. I see this as being the way things will be done in the future. From a business perspective, it makes sense if it allows dealers/direct to employ fewer sales people while generating close to the same revenue. If there is no value in a transaction...
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Re: Is This the Beginning of the End for the Padding of Lease Rates?
In some cases, more is made on the lease padded rate than the salesperson makes in commissions. Others may tell you that they use the "padded" rates to create promo's for the reps. Do I look like I need an incentive to sell? Frak that, if you need an incentive to sell then you need to get a job at Mickey D's
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Re: Copier Parts & Accessories China Tariff Starts in 9 Working Days
President Trump announced today, effective Sept 24 2018, a 10% tariff on a broad list of $200 B worth of Chinese goods. https://ustr.gov/about-us/poli...inalizes-tariffs-200 On this final list are all forms of copy devices. No mention of printers. No mention of toner. Unless China makes serious trade concessions to the USA, without retaliatory tariffs of its own on USA made goods sold in China, the 10% tariff will rise to 25% on Jan 01 2019. These devices are on the final tariff list,...
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Re: Copier Parts & Accessories China Tariff Starts in 9 Working Days
SSG Thanx for keeping this thread up to date! Kudos The economy is doing so well here in the US that I don't think many will care. I will use this to my advantage to get clients to move now. Now, I hope they do care! Art
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Re: Copier Parts & Accessories China Tariff Starts in 9 Working Days
Yup, it's a pretty BIG Hammer! I heard a radio report that the US trade debt rose significantly in July. I'm thinking what you stated is that "many of the manufacturers have stuffed thier warehouses". That's probably why we haven't seen anything to date with increases.
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Re: Are Step Leases ethical business practise?
One of the biggest victims of Step Leases are Non Profit agencies and charities. The people there turn over frequently, are not lease savy and beleive the salesperson when he says you can upgrade the lease before the paymnents increase. These poorly qualified Decision Makers, do not fully understand the consequences of the back end obligation they have just taken on. Business that are lease savy with experience are much less likely to fall to this kind of lease activity.
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Re: Q. How does your company handle networking charges?
Mid-sized dealership in Midwest- We have recently added a section to our maintenance agreement where the customer has to check either a network services rider($195-295 per year depending on the customer) or check the box that says if you don't check the above box, you will be billed $xxx per hour for network services. This doesn't mean as a salesperson we can't either remote in or stop out and load a print driver, but the customer up-front knows that we now charge for IT services. A couple...
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Re: Selling is dead. The Customer Community killed it.
Well written blog, however I as agree with many of the points in the blog. For example: 1. Selling is not dead; it has changed and will continue to change. As the author finally arrives at near the end “old selling” is dead. As buyers change, great sales people have to change with them. Selling is alive and well, it has just changed. 2. Buyer communities did not kill selling. If anything, they can help it. If your company is doing a good job and made a name for itself then the buyer...
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Re: Padded Lease Rates
Yoda you bring up a good point here, after being with the same dealership for 13 years much of my time is spent with helping customers with questions, emails, and onsite follow ups for product questions, advanced training, billing questions, lease billing questions, moves, and many more. So, I don't agree that if I had a bad month I would volunteer to give back part of my meager salary. New reps on the other hand have all the time in the world to prospect and traditionaly I would say that 1...
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Re: Leasing Company Copiers are Underwater
So, do you think it would be ethical for the leasing company to go after full stream of payments plus residual in the case I described??? I don't begrudge the leasing company a fair return on their outlay of money but to want the full stream plus residual 4 weeks after funding is excessive. That's making 40% interest on their money for a one month investment. Would you be happy as the leasing partner???? I doubt it. Keep in mind your reputation as a salesperson is attached to how your...
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Re: Leasing Company Copiers are Underwater
Well, of course. We all understand that there is NO question of ethics, both parties signed a contract and agreed to obligations. Both took on risks. Now one party has experienced those risks. Is GA entitled to what the contract says they are entitled to after 4 weeks, or only after 5? Five is pretty short... maybe they get what the contract says after 15 weeks, but not 14? Or maybe they get what the contract says if the contract goes to term but they eat it if anything bad happens prior to...
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Re: KonicaMinolta's New App Display for MFPs!
This interface initially could be used to onsell complimentary product lines. Paper, DMS etc. A never ending banner huge banner ad would be a marketers dream i imagine. I would as a salesperson make sure everyone got a device with a larger screen interface for the sheer impact of the product.
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Re: 100 calls a day, 240 minutes talk time a day, 4 opps per day
I believe this was the case, just from our few phone conversations. I thing I can tell you is that the salesperson is a hardworker. from Yoda "Just to clarify I think 100 calls per day every day is harsh but what throws me is the only 4 business opportunities? Heck you should get 50 that qualify as an opportunity if not more, just depends on when". Personally I made over 50 calls today,15 emails to prospects, returned 4 calls, set 3 appointments, however zero opportunities. I believe an...
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Re: 100 calls a day, 240 minutes talk time a day, 4 opps per day
Are there really markets where there are so many unknown potential clients (after all these years of CRM's that is;DM, Lease end date , local decisions, make, model, volume, notes) that making random calls from a list would really achieve results? If I were to start another copier company (which I won't) I would spend a large percentage of my initial investment in information. I've said it before I'll say it again : ALL Businesses (with local decision making) are prospects its just a matter...
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Re: Sales Tips
WHAT IS OUTSTANDING SERVICE? To answer this question, we contacted their salespeople--more than 300 of them--and asked the following question: "What steps do you take to ensure that your clients receive outstanding service?" Before reading any further, take a sheet of paper and list 10 ways in which you or your salespeople are servicing your accounts. Then, compare your answers to the following list. 1. Discuss job with client and gather specs. 2. Prepare and submit quote. 3. Pick up...
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Re: Sales Tips
Cardinal prospecting rule In both of these examples, getting the appointment would have been easy had the salesperson not contributed to their own demise. They destroyed their chances of landing the appointment by breaking a cardinal prospecting rule: They told their prospect what they were selling. The moment that you read the words "carpet cleaning" and "real estate," you, too, immediately stopped absorbing the presentation and began to prejudge the value of the call. So when you’re...
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Re: Salespeople Get No Respect?
First, if I was the salesperson I would send the sales admin a gift certificate for a nice dinner for two. Second, I'd come in Monday morning and start hitting it hard to have a great start to the new year. Third, I'd take Red and my sales manager out for a drink after work on Monday and ask them when writing and booking business is a bad thing. Fourth, I wouldn't think about it again.
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Re: Salespeople Get No Respect?
I agree with all the responses about the fault lying with management for not standing up for the person that brings in the bacon. COMMUNICATION with all parties in a timely manner, not the day before, would have made the salesperson a happy camper. The damage was already done, but I assume the orders were processed, so if I was the salesperson, I would do like the others said and bring the donuts, lunch, drinks, whatever to try and difuse the situation from happening again. Everyone in our...
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Re: Salespeople Get No Respect?
so in conclusion to the story, management blamed sales person for cc'ing Red in an email to management. Salesperson thought it would be GOOD that they know also. Nothing is being done about the nasty vm's. Salesperson then stated they will just not acknowledge Red anymore. So, it is almost two weeks later nothing is delivered, backordered from Ricoh on accessories, and no delivery in site for at least 7 or eight more days. Salesperson is now looking for a NEW job!
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Re: Ricoh 2035 vs Mita 4035
What I posted above is not any kind of slam on Greg, any of the others that have posted or the Ricoh system....Simply the way that I would respond as a salesperson if asked those questions... Hope it helps..
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Re: Tips on Buying Your First Color Copier
The IMPORTANT Question.... What are you going to be using this color copier for??? Business Color, Graphics Color, What kind of paper do you need to use? Do you use coated paper? You need to know the difference between 2 bit and 8 bit color and what it means to you... My Guess is that a MAJORITY of the salespeople on the street don't have the slightest clue about a number of color selling points and how to answer the tricky questions...(When I was new, I had a customer pull out a loop and...
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Re: NEW 55cpm with Print/Scan?
Maybe the customer mis understood the salesperson when he mentioned scan once print many? Or maybe they are selling a stand alone scanner with 1055, or better yet maybe they are placing as IS100e on top of the finsiher and connecting to the parallel port of the copier! Art
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Re: Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On
Luckily, the talented former Savin Brand Manager that was forced out of the RFG East Region by the RVP, has landed a new position within RISO: http://beta.bertl.com/web/news...AF56094BEB9A?id=2862 The 'Ricoh' memebers of the RFG East Region are now sipping Margaritas on their Prestige Club Trip and no 'Savin' or 'Lanier' Sales / Support team members were awarded the trip (and they HAD the numbers). Just one 'Savin' salesperson got the Trip and she enjoys Margaritas. Smoke those Cubans while...
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Re: Canon salesperson does more than just sell copiers
sold out her dream and became a copier salesperson? Maybe she got a dose of reality as a student teacher, looked at the pay and saw there were greener pastures out there.
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Re: Konica 8020/8031
I was up against Minolta Business Systems on a deal and could not believe the cpc that was mentioned. Plus they were giving away free toner for life of the copier. I pleaded with the customer to get it in writing and to also reverify what the sales person said. My potential customer called, the sales person conveyed the same items as before the very low cpc .10 and free tonner for the life of the system. The potential customer then asked for this in writing. The salesperson said that those...
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Re: Competitive Info needed Lexmark XM1145
The XM1145 is a shade over $0.02 per click in a m/a contract. If the customer is doing over 2,500 clicks per month the machine has no chance in a competitive deal unless the consumer buys non-OEM toner and just does a parts and labor only service contract w/out consumables for about $200/yr. Customer is rarely educated enough to know to do this and a salesperson moving such a small box rarely cares enough to inform the customer on how to make the XM1150 a cost-effective option.
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Re: shady salesman
Coming from the sales side: I always try to take care of the guys that help feed my family. There have been some occassions where I have forgotten where the lead originated, however I try to make up for this with "special consideration". I am aware of the situation and believe salesperson in question should "pony up" and take care of those who take care of him. When selling for Ricoh, we sales people get to accumulate points for products and or gift certificates. Share the wealth if not with...
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Re: Boy do I have alot of Gripes!!!!!
I totally agree, making changes after-the-fact is just WRONG!!! I guess every salesperson struggles with situations like this with at least one of their employers. All we can do is voice our opinion and try to change the situation. If we can't, like you said, we have two choices -- put up with it or go somewhere else. Either way, if we let it affect our attitude, it can dull our edge, and we can miss a sale -- losing even more money due to the same situation.
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Re: Sales Tips
One-of-A-Kind Marketing Many folks buy because of a "fear of loss". Can you market your product as a "one-of-a-kind" for a "limited time only?" Show them what they stand to gain as well as what they will lose if they don't order now. One auto salesperson we know always shows the purchaser a model that is a "second choice" in case the "preferred model" gets sold before the customer makes a decision. This can really speed up the sales process.
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Re: Sales Tips
Yes the "impending event close" is still a viable choice in our business. Whether it's the classic "This special price is only available for X amount of time" or "This is the only one we have at this price and my sales manager said the first one with paper work get it" still work. I know it can sound cheesy but if you can make it NOT sound cheesy.. it's good.
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Re: The Death of the 48, 60 and 66 Month Lease
My company is actually excelling in it with technology, staff, and programs available. With me, I have a high revenue quota each month, MNS does not count towards revenue and bonus. Hardware and IT Block time counts, so what's a salesperson suppose to do? I'm finding it hard to balance both and close deals for both.
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Re: Telemarketing & The Person with the BAD Attitude!
I agree to a certain extent, Art, but at the same time, our industry has a deservedly bad reputation for being overly-persistent in efforts to reach prospects. The way in which people evaluate products, services, vendors, etc. has completely changed due to the wealth of information that is available online. Many buyers now want to know what they want (especially in up & down the street accounts) before they ever agree to talk to a salesperson. There are only so many hours in a day, &...
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Re: Crowdsourcing Idea for P4P Members
Here is the first one I received yesterday. With an existing vendor and salesperson. Would you rather have follow ups via phone call or email? EMAIL If your vendor offered a once a month tech update/business trends bulletin. Would you opt in for that email? PROBABLY NOT Currently, how do you keep up to date with new technology and business trends? CNN Tech, MSNBC Tech, Slashdot, Vendors, Friends
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Re: Crowdsourcing Idea for P4P Members
Here's another: With an existing vendor and salesperson. Would you rather have follow ups via phone call or email? email but you need to respond in kind. If I call you I’m looking for a call back. If I email you I’m looking for an email back If your vendor offered a once a month tech update/business trends bulletin. Would you opt in for that email? yes as long as it stayed pertinent Currently, how do you keep up to date with new technology and business trends? Industry news and mags for...
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Re: Crowdsourcing Idea for P4P Members
and another, however this one was from an old CFO in late sixties or early seventies: With an existing vendor and salesperson. Would you rather have follow ups via phone call or email? Follow up phone calls are more effective when there’s something important to talk about. Constant emails that serve no purpose other than advertising get deleted. If your vendor offered a once a month tech update/business trends bulletin. Updates when needed are welcomed, but monthly trend newsletters seem a...
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Re: How to Add More Selling Days Without Really Trying
Wow. I had a salesperson meet me at 2:00 today. It is much easier for me. Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID
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This Week in the Copier Industry 5 Years Ago, The First Week in January 2014
Some great threads here, especially the blog series I wrote for "31 Ways to close more copiers sales". Enjoy these threads from 5 years ago this week! Pacific Office Automation Helps Local Children by Matching Donations in the Fox 12 Holiday Toy Drive Art Post · 1/2/1410:14 PM Pacific Office Automation Pacific Office Automation ( http://www.pacificoffice.com ) is a leader in managed printing solutions and document management software. Since 1976, Pacific has grown to become the industry’s...
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This Week in the Copier Industry 10 Years Ago, The Third Week in January 2009
There's a pretty decent thread below about relationship selling. It's ten years old and yes I found it some place on the web. Speaks about common ground with the client along with trust. Take the three minutes to read this thread. Relationship Selling – The Buy and Buy Enjoy the threads from ten years ago this week! Weekend Copier Notes from 1/18/09 Neal · 1/19/098:46 AM bundled with Kodak MarketMover, which is a package to assist printshop owners in marketing and selling digital output. The...
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Why a Copier Salesperson Loves to Sell DocuWare
You probably don’t know me but I’ve been in the industry now for over 20 years and have been fortunate to be successful selling Canon, Ricoh and Kyocera products in both hardware and software sales. I remember when I started it was all about hardware. I used to say “black and white paid the bills and color sent me on vacation”. Back in those days a color sale would be $40,000 plus and would always be a generous commission. I remember speaking with another colleague of mine back then who had...
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This Week in the Copier Industry 15 Years Ago, The Second Week in July 2003
It's Sunday night, I start vaca on Wednsday of this week. Not a lot of stuff from last week, except for the additional tariffs that will go into effect the first week of August. We're not sure if copiers are included this go around. Enjoy the threads from 156 years ago this week! Sales Training Help 7/15/034:56 PM December 31, 2011 - Sales Training Help - Click Here Industry Analysts, Inc. has been developing customized industry training programs and materials for over 30 years. Major...
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This Week in the Copier Industry 15 Years Ago, The Third Week in August 2003
Seems like I may have misplaced a week. Last weeks thread was the first week of August, however I had notes in from the second week. Well, it's time for the third week in August notes from 15 years ago. Check out the awesome story from Old Glory below or click here Remember the 1035 Scanner/copier story? High-Speed Copiers: 8/19/037:29 PM begin? Does it require a dedicated salesperson ? Who are the best prospects? What are the best selling strategies? Perhaps any discussion of the topic...
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Your Copier
Earlier today I was posting some news articles on the site and thought I'd play some eighties tune to pass the time. One of the songs that I haven't heard in some time was "Your Love" which was performed by Outfield. The lyrics were simple and short, thus I thought I would write a parody based on "Your Love". Yeah, I know it's screwy, but I actually had some fun with it. You can click the here to hear that song. You can ready my lyrics below. Wish I could sing it for everyone, on second...
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Why Product Knowledge Can Vault You to Success
Would you agree or disagree with this statement? "You can have the best sales skills in the world, however, if you don't know your product you won't sell a damn thing". I'm a firm believer in the above, excellent product knowledge has allowed me to be extremely successful selling print devices. I feel bad for those sales peeps have the cheapest or lowest price along with zero product knowledge. The end result is guy and gals like me will eat them for lunch. LinkedIn is full of sales guru's...
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This Week in the Copier Industry 10 Years Ago (Second Week of April 2009)
Super thread below titled Where do you see this industry in 5 years???? A must read to see what everyone thought back in 2009 about 2014. Enjoy these threads from ten years ago this week! WEekend Copier Notes from 04/12/09 Neal · 4/13/097:17 AM print color systems, the PRO C 550EX and PRO C 700EX: - Base MSRPs of $54,290 & $62,690 - C 550EX offers 55ppm full color and 60ppm b/w - C 700EX offers 70ppm full color and 75ppm b/w - Uses engines from the MP C 6000 and C 7500 mid-range color...
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This Week in the Copier Industry 15 Years Ago (Second Week of April 2004)
In the last two blogs and in this blog I used some scene pictures. If anyone can tell me what country these are from we'll comp you a one year Premium/VIP membership at no cost. You need to post your answers in the reply section. Enjoy these threads from 15 years ago this week! Color On Demand from bizhub C350 4/9/044:56 PM punching with the addition of PK-501 Punch Kit. Printing and Scanning Capabilities are Standard The standard configuration for the bizhub C 350 includes color and B&W...
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3 Key Ingredients To Bring To The Business Table
If you wish to sit with executive leaders at the decision-making table, you need to learn, consume and mirror their characteristics. Now granted, not all sales require C-level or executive access. However; engaging at this level is critical if your goals are to build strategic client relationships, be perceived as a trusted professional and to differentiate yourself from the competition. Do you have what it takes to gain a seat at the table? EARN THE RIGHT TO SIT AT THE TABLE Business...
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This Week in the Copier Industry 10 Years Ago, The Last Week in December 2008
WooHoo, I'm on vacation this week, well at least from my day job! Enjoy the threads from ten years ago this week! Weekend Copier Notes from 12/28/08 Neal · 12/29/087:08 AM , president of Xerox Office Group (XOG), Xerox products now account for only 55% of the MFPs that Global locations are selling . (now that Xerox is experiencing slower sales in the U .S., will it continue to allow other brands to be sold in its Global subsidiary?) In an article in The Wall Street Journal, Bill Jordan,...