Tagged With "Daily Thought Sales Blogs"
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Re: What's the weirdest place you've sold a copier to?
Jason, I changed the word system to copier, hope that's ok. I gotta give that one some thought, sure I'll have something for you
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Re: What's the weirdest place you've sold a copier to?
Lol, those were two good ones! I can't remember if I've ever had weird sale.
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Re: All Ricoh A4 devices = no stapler
If it helps, Canon A4 staplers are usually around $900 whole sale.
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Re: All Ricoh A4 devices = no stapler
$650 on a B&W A4, $615 on a color A4. Ricoh is missing the boat one this one...
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Re: What's the weirdest place you've sold a copier to?
Those are all pretty good and I agree this jobs takes you into businesses that you never thought of. The best I can do in 18yrs is a bee farm and the office of personnel management in Pittsburgh. The entire operation is in a mine and in the middle of freaking nowhere!
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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: 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: 7 Deadly Topics from 7 Deadly Sinners at Top 100 Summit (Part One)
Tx, awesome post! The conclusion for managed IT was at our own round table and not the general audience. One of the dealers in my group is heavily involved with managed IT, and thought it would be great offer. Yes, it was stated that MNS is only used by copier dealers and should be referenced to what you described. TY for the awesome reply!!
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Re: 7 Deadly Topics from 7 Deadly Sinners at Top 100 Summit (Part One)
Is it just me, it seems that the general rule of thumb for the copier industry to end users is "the take or leave approach". Meaning, come hell or high water we're not going to change the way we bill, the way we support, or the financial solutions that we offer. While I was at the Top 100 conference, a rep from Wells Fargo spoke about the billing options that they now have in their leases. One of the options was for seat billing for managed IT services. My thought is that if it's available...
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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: When is Net New Business not Net New Business?
Interesting perspective. We constantly have the talks about competitive machines we took on service, especially brands we don't carry. I tend to consider is taking a Konica on service and then a year or two later upgrading it to our equipment net new business from the sales side. Obviously we had net new business on the service side but not net new for "x" with the equipment sale. I'd be interested to hear how others see this. I hear a lot of people say it doesn't matter but if I bring a...
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Re: When is Net New Business not Net New Business?
I was wondering if the subject of those customers who were acquired through service was going to come up, & Jason's comment is certainly "food for thought"... In his example, he brought on the service customer (with the obvious intention of upgrading them at the first opportunity) & the dealer gets a contract & machine sale that they otherwise wouldn't have. Sounds like net new to me. In my experience, though, most of these service to machine sale conversions are from customers...
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Re: When did you first learn about the industry
Honestly, it was when I walked in the door for my first interview. I remember the individual interviewing me mentioning that they sold Ricoh equipment, & the only frame of reference I had is that Ricoh sponsored the "Call to the Bullpen" on MLB games at the time. Before I got into the industry, I could not make a straight copy on the first try if you paid me, because I never thought to use the document feeder & could never get the original lined up on the glass. I knew about all of...
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Re: Register for BTA's Aug. 20 Webinar Focused on Proactive Prospecting
Did anyone else catch this? I sat in for about and hour, although it was nothing really new, it did remind me of the basics. Actually there was something that I didn't even think of, when we're making phone calls, we are actually conducting "disruptive marketing", gee, never thought about it that way. I'll be posting the power point to the "clips" section of the our site either tonight or tomorrow. I did enjoy the presentation.
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Re: Charge for IT support
We had never charged for it after the sale until about 6 months ago due to people calling all the time for driver installs, scanning issues related to their internet etc. We used to offer an optional network/it yearly agreement and people would decline and then start calling for help. We decided to send out, initially an opt-out to ever customer who had current devices, and after every sale send one out. We did it as an opt out due to the fact that customers would decline the option and...
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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: Kyocera SWOT
Kyocera Guy, Way to earn the title! Thanks, man. To give the rest of the P4P crew some food for thought, here is what I have so far: Strengths Emerging as Europe Market Leader, Could be Replicated in Other Regions Ceyoniq ECM Acquisition a Bold Move, Solutions Goal $332M to $830M by 2018 HyPAS Platform Well Respected, Hybrid Java/Web Services has Potential Solid US Dealer Channel, Strong Partner Relationships and Value Proposition A4 MFP and SFP Expansion Creating Extremely Comprehensive...
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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: The Death Of The B2B Salesperson [Infographic]
Vince: Well stated! I'm having a hard time with this also. We've seen Ricoh on-line now, they are pushing the envelope with direct vs dealer. I agree with you, what happens once the box arrives, what they thought they were getting because product marketing for all manufacturers have a tendency to over state what they systems can and can't do. I'm hoping we are right and Forrester is just pushing BS
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Re: Samsung Copier Million Page Test "A Tree Massacre"
Seems my Blog about the million page test was not that well received with Samsung. They complained to ENX Magazine who then pulled the blog off their site. Whatever happened to FREE Press? They were not happy that I pointed out that they used "x" amount of tree's for a 1980's type test! Since Samsung spends money with ENX, ENX pulled the blogs and is not posting any of my latest stuff. You know what, as far as I'm concerned we here this finance stuff about Sharp, Toshiba and none of the...
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Re: W6700sp help!
Got it, what we use is an exit tray that is sold by "Copier Solution Shop". The new exit tray will allow "e" size documents to exit to the front of the W6700 and they don't have to use the rear exit. I believe it will stack 50 or so. All of my clients love and their has never been a complaint. Here's the link https://www.copiersolutionshop...put-tray-rot-1.html, I will check for a video. I thought I posted one in the "pic's" section of this site.
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Re: Your Copier
Welcome back😀 https://www.p4photel.com/blog/...-the-copier-industry 6 Reasons Why Flat Rate aka One Rate Will Change the Copier Industry Art Post 36 minutes ago I remember when plain paper copiers used rolls of paper and not sheets. I remember when the glass on the copiers had to move back and forth. I remember when copiers used liquid ink (toner) to produce an image. I remember when you used a dial to set how many copies you wanted to make. Yup, it's been a pretty incredible journey to see...
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Re: Five Reasons Why I'm Stoked About the New Ricoh SP8400DN Printer
Interesting, I thought jh told me the cost was 2,500 per year. I was like what? Can you find out exactly that that cost is. I'm curious as I guess we all are
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Re: Five Reasons Why I'm Stoked About the New Ricoh SP8400DN Printer
I guess he was just referring to the Epson C869R (25 ppm). We kept asking questions about the 100 ppm unit and I lost track which unit this information applied to. Sorry for the confusion. We have a launch on the 11th and he promised more info on the 100 ppm at that time.
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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
My dealership does, we use DealerMarketing for our blog posts.
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Re: 10 Signs You Should Absolutely Hire That Salesperson
In reference to the above blog. If you want salespeople that want to make money (desire). When the interview is almost over, slap $500 bucks on the table and ask the person. How would you rather make this $500 bucks? 1) work 40 hours for it or 2) try to talk me out of it If they choose #1, tell em thank you and we're not interested. However if they choose #2 and they can get through ten minutes of trying to talk you out it, then I recommend offering them the job and not the $500 bucks. Just...
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Re: Copier Parts & Accessories China Tariff Starts in 9 Working Days
Thank you for sharing the blog, Art. I must admit to not putting two and two together. I appreciate your thoughts. George Krebs Shore Business Solutions
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Re: Copier Parts & Accessories China Tariff Starts in 9 Working Days
George You are welcome!
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Re: Copier Parts & Accessories China Tariff Starts in 9 Working Days
this is the old list that was published on April 3rd. I included the new list in a link on the blog
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Re: Top Ten "Why Copiers Should Have Warning Labels"
Ty Jason! Had fun with this!! Ty for the email about your rep, that was very humorous sale!! Maybe post in on the forums?
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Re: What Makes December One of My Best Sales Months for Revenue
It's so simple, i don't understand why people don't do it. I guess sometimes things are so simple it's not thought of or it is so simple people make it hard.
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Re: Rumor has it that...
Check out our blog at www.canyonfalls.net . It should be the first in the blog list.
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Re: Is This the Beginning of the End for the Padding of Lease Rates?
Here is a report from leasingnews.org. One of their legal editors is doing a three part review of this legislation. Leasing News Exclusive: State Senator Steven Glazer and the genesis of CA SB 1235 (Part 1 of 3) By Tom McCurnin Leasing News Legal Editor This is important not only if you are doing commercial business in California, but this may affect other states. If you are new to this, here is legislation passed both the assembly and senate, awaiting California Governor Jerry Brown’s...
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Re: Is This the Beginning of the End for the Padding of Lease Rates?
Part Three Leasing News Exclusive: Is the Disclosure Too Complicated? State Senator Steven Glazer Position on CA SB 1235 (Part 3 of 3) By Tom McCurnin Leasing News Legal Editor The bill to require full disclosure of interest rates is awaiting Governor Jerry Brown's signature. It was reviewed to be recorded and sent to his office late last week. It seems unlikely he will not sign it as it passed the State Assembly 72-3 and in the Senate 28-6 .It then will be up to the California Department of...
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Re: Marco expands client base in Iowa
I had to read this a second time, I thought I read a "cloud based provider of copiers". I think that would work also!
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Re: Attention Sales Leaders... What Are Your Sales Reps Prospecting For?
Larry, You are exactly right. Excellent article. The challenge in our industry is the mindset of obtaining new business and putting ourselves in the minds of the 21st century customer. We need to break the cycle of a commoditized product offering. I have not waived the white flag and surrendered to that thought process. Instead I believe we need to evolve as sales professionals and engage in the 21st century sales process and those sales professionals/ companies that do will become behemoths...
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Re: The A4 Challenge or Opportunity
In my experience A4 machines are as much or even more hassle than an A3 machine to install and train which I do myself for the customer but my income off of the sale of the A4 device is a fraction of what it would have been had I sold an A3. Beyond that most A4 machines lack a document feeder built to handle the page volumes of walk up copying and scanning my customers do. At the end of the day I have to make a living so I spend my time on A3 opportunities.
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Re: Need help with Pay for Print Solution
John, I don't know if this is still a live issue for you but I thought of you while reading up on the Fiery Controller Option for the C2800/C3300 and the C4000/C5000. In an FAQ Document under wireless printing options it states, "When printing from USB removeable media, the Fiery will print Postscript and PDF File formats. If the Fiery has internet access and the Native Document Conversion option (i.e. EFI PrintMe) then you can also print native Microsoft Office Documents from your USB..."
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Re: Is selling at cost the future for print hardware?
I think this is hilarious. When all else fails within your business model turn to being the low price leader. What ever happened to selling value. I thought business were in business to profit. I would be curious if they stole their current business model from RBS. Being the low price leader will get you somewhere for segment 1/2 but you sure are not going to be a very healthy & profitable company long term.
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Re: "Green Jobs"
Personally I would have gone with "And in 1542, 97% of scientists thought the Sun revolved around the Earth" but that works too.
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Re: Is selling at cost the future for print hardware?
Interesting approach to the sales process. Strikes me the next promo is for 10% below sticker price...of course unlike cars, manufacturers don't put a sticker price on MFP's to advise the public what the price is supposed to be. At this point we find the margin we are able to obtain on most sales of hardware barely covers the cost of sales for the product...any business profits come from services bundled around the hardware, either connectivity plans, support plans, supplies for colour etc.
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Re: A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Copier Demo/Appointment
Had a demo years ago on a fax machine. Had a big wheel from corporate wanting to do a ride along with a rep for the day. Customer wanted to see quality and asked one of their customers to send a test fax. As all the admin complained about the speed, the corp guy explained that a very detailed fax would take more time because of memory issues. As everyone crowded aroud the fax to innspect, a very vivid porn image was reproduced with striking detail. We made the sale
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Re: Is selling at cost the future for print hardware?
Not true. But car dealers routinely "train" using whatever version of the truth they think will make a sale.
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Re: A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Copier Demo/Appointment
I had an appointment with a drug rehab medical center. I asked her how many users she had....oops. She said marijuana or cocaine? I still don't know if she was kidding or not. They didn't buy anything from me. They renewed their lease and paid on the used machine for 2 more years that I know of. And thought it was a very good decision. Perhaps they were users. Did that ruin the story?
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Re: Calculating Lease Costs and Effective Purchase Price W/O interest
Thanks Sam for that nice viewpoint. By the way I really enjoyed looking at your website...there was alot of eye opening info there....thanks! GIntel: Let me give you another example that starts to get tricky when you have a buyout to consider. Here is the formula: (Machine Cost + Buyout + Profit) X rate factor = total monthly payment that should be (but does not need to be) less than CURRENT monthly payment for similar equipment. Define similar equipment? That means if they have a 20ppm unit...
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Re: Scan in One City, Print in Another
The mind boggles! So the customer has the software applications that you reference and you are trying to find them a 'cheap' 'solution'......? Why? They have spent tens of thousands of dollars on those applications..all of which enhance their productivity as a law firm. You have a comprehensive solution to leverage (i.e. make work better!) each of their committed software applications and you think it might be 'expensive'? Come on, you have done more than most competitors simply by the fact...
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Re: A4s and Single Function Laser in MPS
My first thought is that your post has a lot of jargon in it I don't understand. (I'm directly responsible for MPS, so it's not that I'm unfamiliar with the terms). When Art can't understand your question about and industry he's been in for 20+ years, it's time to back up and re-write . Secondly, regarding your questions about placing supplemental A4 MFPs around, it all depends upon the customer. I have some customers that have central MFPs and NO additional MFP capability. I have others...