If I Had a Heart: Drop the "Print" from Managed print services. The World According to Greg

March 2015 

Heartbreak and glory - the times are changing universally. One turn in my personal metamorphosis is stepping down as President of the Managed Print Services Association.

My involvement with the MPSA started at the very beginning, back when a room full of folks voted to form the association at  Photizo 1.  I am honored to have served and proud of all the accomplishments we've achieved - it has been a great time.

Congratulations to the new Managed Print Services Associations executive board:

President: Kevin DeYoung, Qualpath - owner, managed print services visionary, leader
Vice President: Doug Bies, Canon USA - new, passionate, cutting edge philosophy
Secretary: Sarah Henderson, West Point Products/Clover Technologies - stalwart, foundational, dedicated
Treasurer: Lou Stricklin, Muratec America - solid, fresh, tactician

Today, as I exit the Oval Office,  relegated to a Board of Director, I am free from the yoke of compliance, broken are the shackles of other's stunted and spun opinion, open to express my opinions based on observed behavior, not Survey Monkey or the corporate drawer statement.

I am unencumbered by concerns about how a potential sponsor or customer might feel. 

Free to ignore conversations geared around the ROI of donating $10,000.00 for a corporate membership.  

We were not lying when we said your ROI is measured by your contribution to the industry, not shelf space, or tossing our membership into your sales funnel.

The shackles of self-censorship have fallen away...

UNLEASHED...

My managed print services observations or better yet:

The World According to Greg

Managed print services is Dead and the OEMs killed it -

That's what I said.  

It was called 'managed print services' not 'managing printers & service'.  Leveraging the 'services' model to increase MIF is disingenuous and prospects see right through the scam.

Customers do not care -

Speaking of customers, they don't give a rip about the toner remanufacturing process.  They don't care about the seven steps of xerography, and their eyes gloss when you speak of ink vs. toner; color vs. B/W, or mobile print.  Stop doing that.

Find something else to talk about - say business-oriented, like employee morale, the impact of BYOD, and managing print servers.

My advice to the incoming MPSA Executive Board - 

1. Change the definition of managed print services and the direction of the MPSA.  Move away from toner, printer, and hardware - to a "Managed Services Association".  Expand the horizons, and blow the minds of millions.
2. Do not fall victim to the procedure, meeting paralysis, Roberts Rules of Order planning on how to do something without ever doing anything.
3. Once a member proclaims, "...that's not the way I operate..." they've volunteered.  The association, like our industry, is at a crossroads.  Like times in the past, both glory and ruination await.

Ideas are bulletproof -

Not only is the world on a path to less paper, but the new world will be populated with self-healing devices - no need for as many service technicians.

Managing services for your clients is the future.  This core idea is unflappable in a turbulent sea of rhetoric, incorrect research, and marketing talk.

The world of MPS, like life,  holds promise and doom - fortune, glory, and tragedy.  False promises? Yes.  Self-interest? Of course.

When haven't we experienced both?

To make a move, a real move, we've got to take that leap of faith...again and again, and again.  Heartbreak, then Glory.  Glory, then heartbreak.

Always.  All ways.

Click to email me.

MPSA Announces Nominations Open for Board of Directors, Executive Committee

CHARLOTTE, NC -

The Managed Print Services Association (MPSA) announced the opening of nominations for its 2015 elections. Nominations for executive committee positions and Board of Directors positions will be open from Jan. 22-Feb. 6.

Individual members of the MPSA may nominate themselves or another member to any of the open positions. Nominees must be current members of the MPSA. More information as well as a nomination form is available at http://www.yourmpsa.org/nominations.

The following positions will be open for nominations:

• President
• Vice President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Board of Directors

As nominations are received, the MPSA nomination committee will confirm the nominee’s interest in participating, review their qualifications, and present the most qualified candidates to the existing MPSA Board of Directors for approval. The final slate of candidates will be presented on a ballot for election, and voting will be open to MPSA members Feb. 16-23.

The new Executive Committee and Board members will be announced Feb. 26, and inaugurated at a Board of Directors/Executive Committee meeting during the ITEX show in Ft. Lauderdale, March 10-12.

This is an opportunity to help lead the MPSA, an association dedicated to advancing the MPS industry by connecting great ideas and great people, and to inspire leadership within the MPS community.

“I’ve enjoyed every turn, and every obstacle we’ve surmounted and have never worked with a finer group of people,” said current President Greg Walters. “The association and industry are facing yet another inflection point. Help guide this non-profit, all-volunteer organization into the future.”

If you are not currently a member of the MPSA, this is a great time to get involved and help shape the dialog. Join an international group of professionals from every aspect of the imaging industry including major OEMs, renowned service providers and leading technology companies: http://www.yourmpsa.org/join

About the Managed Print Services Association

The Managed Print Services Association (MPSA) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that serves the MPS industry. Its focus is on the development of standards, education and industry guidelines that unite the different segments of the industry that bring value to all those participating. For more information about benefits and memberships, visit www.yourmpsa.org.

Things I Love About the Copier Industry - 2014

One night at the bar, while attending the MWAi Executive Summit, I was in a rather animated discussion about women in the industry and your MPSA.

a remarkable aspect of the copier industry is how some men regard some women.

During the conversation when I mentioned out loud, "The Managed Print Services Association", one of the more elderly industry participants replied, "Managed Print Services Assholes" as he walked away.

DOTC in Vegas

We will be in Vegas, at the Wynn, Monday June 11 and 12th.

I will not be attending the Ricoh show(huh?) - but will be in the Casino, around the pool or at a bar,

that is if the Wynn has a bar, not sure on that one...

If you're in town, and want to talk about how to pick a Managed Print Services program, technology in our world, the social ramifications of  Space 1999, or the Four Screens of Life - drop me a note.

I may even have a nifty, cool, MPSA hat for you...

Click to email me. 

Why I Want to Be Your Managed Print Services Association President

A Time for Choosing

To be President, Greg Walters

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Fellow members of Your MPSA, I am reaching out today to ask for your support and your vote for President of Your MPSA.

Like our industry, Your Managed print Services Association has experienced a great shift – from an obscure genesis in San Antonio to an impeccable international presence. Since our humble beginnings back in 2008, I’ve been part of the great transformation of Your MPSA to center stage.

Today, Your MPSA and our niche are on the edge of greatness. From Sydney, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Johannesburg, Oklahoma City, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, St. Louis, Seattle, Miami, New York City, Des Moines, Ontario, Berlin, San Juan, Paris, and Los Angeles, fellow MpS’rs are taking up the MPSA banner, helping businesses reduce costs, preserve jobs and make life easier.

That’s right, there’s more to MpS than toner on paper.

Still, I remember our proud technology lineage and customer focused pedigree. I believe in our industry. I see resilience and perseverance within each OEM, inside every provider and in the can-do attitude of all those “down the street” reps. We are a hearty bunch.

My Vision for Your MPSA is to grow with the shift, not against it. The winds of change are mighty and wise is the person who sails with the current. Knowing this and with bold confidence, we will move into a prosperous era unbound by misguided dogma of the past.

We will not venture the seas alone. Collaboration will be a supporting aspect in the coming years for Your MPSA – I will actively pursue open relationships and engage with anyone who brings value to our members.

One thing I’ve learned during my three year involvement with Your MPSA is that when we focus on the needs of our membership, forgetting corporate agendas, we do great things. I believe Your MPSA is For the Members, by the Members. Outside agenda’s will be left at the office.

Winston Churchill said that ‘the destiny of man is not measured by material computation. When great forces are on the move in the world, we learn we are spirits, not animals.’ And he said, ‘There is something going on in time and space, and beyond time and space, which, whether we like it or not, spells duty.’ As I travel the MpS ecosystem, I am often approached by MPSA members and non-members, asking questions about the future. Those questions aren’t posed out of fear or desperation. With each query there is a sense of determination and of duty. When “great forces are on the move in the world”, it is this spirit that sustains us; the same spirit Your MPSA is founded.

My Vision for Your MPSA is growth through attraction. Our message will cultivate and extend relationships within our niche and outside the industry. And I promise, Your MPSA will continue to be member-centric.

If you and I share a passion for our ecosystem and if you believe, like I do, our best days are yet to come, then ‘You and I have a rendezvous with destiny’.

Cast your vote for me, volunteer and let’s get started.

Thank you for your time,

Greg Walters

greg@waltersgroupinternational.com

Vote Here.

Word cloud made with WordItOut

Click to email me.

Leopard One Speaks Down Under - Press Release

MPSA Executive Committee Leader

Takes a Hard Look at MPS Industry Trends in MPS Conference Keynote

Columbus, OH – November 17, 2011 – Managed Print Services Association (MPSA) Executive Committee member, Greg Walters, recently presented a keynote speech at the 2011 Asia Pacific MPS Conference in Sydney, Australia. In addition to his longtime volunteer work with the MPSA, Walters is creator of the popular MPS blog, thedeathofthecopier.blogspot.com.

As a founding Executive Board member of the MPSA, Walters has been part of the MPS industry throughout its transition. “The industry has evolved more in the last four years than the previous six,” he declared. “MPS has changed everything and shifted influence from the OEMs to the individual.”

In his keynote presentation, Walters focused on several concepts affecting the marketplace:

• Transformation – “From the inside out. Apple transformed by building what they would use, not what the marketing pundits told them to produce.”

• Partnerships and Collaboration – “Advisories will forge new partnerships. OEM to toner re-man, dealer to dealer.”

• The Big Zag, for Today – “Running and managing an MPS practice is challenging. The more who don’t understand that, the better for we who do. Once the ‘P’ is removed, we are left with ‘Managed Services’. If you can run an MPS practice, you can thrive inside an MS.”

MPSA Sponsors Splinter MpS Group, that does not exist...

2011- No Rules MpS

Almost a year ago, deep within bowels of a super-secret, underground bunker, difficult even for the attendees to find - the first No Rules MPS meeting convened.

No Rules
No PowerPoint
No Ego's

This improbable collection of bleeding edge adopters, consumed adult beverages and spoke the forbidden language of collaboration.

DOTC style.

Weeks of 'Thirsty-Thursday's", private, encrypted and scrambled online collaboration sessions resulted in the second No Rules MPS session being held in "No Rules, Eastern Command" - Tennessee.

The MPSA took note, and agreed to sponsor the third iteration of No Rules MPS in Vegas, January 2012.

As a wild, untamed, right of the bell curve loosely connected gang of MpS'rs, No Rules prided themselves on just that - No Rules.

Can this rebellious tone continue with the backing of the only MPS association?

Will the big Mother Ship devour her young hellions?

Like injecting the 24th Chromosome, will No Rules enhance the association's DNA, producing a faster, healthier, more nimble warrior?

Or will this 24th chromosome reveal the worst of all worlds and collapse?

In the end, it's up to you - get to Vegas.  Like you need another reason...

Press Release Below:

New Corporate Members Join Managed Print Services Association Steady association growth reflects strength of MPS market

Columbus, OH – March 28, 2011 – The Managed Print Services Association (MPSA) continues to experience consistent growth with a number of new corporate sponsors. The most recent additions to the

MPSA community are:

New Platinum Members

• Océ North America, a Canon Group Company – Member
contact: Tom O'Neill, Director Product Ops & Application Lab, Document Printing Systems
• Synnex Corporation – Member
contact: James Luquire, Associate Vice President

Strategic Realignment of Managed Print Services Association, YourMPSA.org

Focuses Supporters on New Challenges Facing Dynamic Marketplace

Leadership and volunteers recalibrate assignments to evolve with fast-growing association

December 6, 2010 -- Key volunteers and leaders within the Managed Print Services Association executive committee and board of directors have realigned their roles to focus their experience on other areas of the MPSA. This will help keep fresh ideas and new perspectives flowing across all aspects of the association.

“In an effort to improve our effectiveness and support the ideas of our volunteer leadership team, the MPSA Board has approved these changes,” noted Joe Barganier, who was elected Interim President of the MPSA. “This coordinated transition ensures members can benefit from the diversity of experience we have to offer at the leadership level. We are all very excited about taking on our new challenges.”

MPSA Task Force Brings Meaning to Managed Print Services

"Managed print services is the active management and optimization of document output devices and related business processes." - MPSA, 2010 DOTC 

Reflection - This was a very difficult task. One which Joe and Matt struggle with for months. A task that created a lot of dynamics within the MPSA Board. Joe and Matt came through and the board unanimously(yes, including me) approved. 

I like that the definition can be applied to both MPS provider and a self-implemented MPS engagement, like Nationwide Insurance. It's a good base, a solid foundation to build upon. And something easily Incorporated into multiple MPS talk-tracks for your prospects and clients. 

Good Form! 

PRESS RELEASE: New MPS definition helps end-users and providers standardize services, expectations 

Mount Laurel, NJ – July 8, 2010 – As the managed print services juggernaut rolls on to its projected $60 billion market size by 2013, one thing has been missing – a definition of this amazing segment. Just what exactly do we mean by “managed print services”? 

Background: The Emergence of Managed Print Services Over the past 10 years, the traditional copier and printer industries have converged, especially with the introduction of multifunction peripherals (MFPs). With the blending of these two hardware-focused industry segments, their products became commoditized. 

At the same time, users need more help managing their output devices, so a managed services approach to output emerged. Managed print services (MPS) grew as a business model revolving around servicing end-users’ output needs, not focused on a specific hardware manufacturer. The true MPS provider is a new breed: vendor agnostic and customer-focused. 

Ultimately they are paid for their consulting value, in addition to the tangible products that fulfill the consultation. Defining a New Business Model Until now, MPS has gone undefined, but thanks to the efforts of the Managed Print Services Association (MPSA), the market (worth over $25 billion globally) has a focus. 

According to the MPSA, "Managed print services is the active management and optimization of document output devices and related business processes."

Johan Kosters Elected to Managed Print Services Association Board of Directors

Document industry veteran pledges focus on MPS business benefits for both end users and service providers.

Mount Laurel, NJ – July 1, 2010 – Johan Kosters has been elected to the Managed Print Services Association (MPSA) Board of Directors representing the Independent Consultant segment. MPSA members and current board members took part in the vote.

“On behalf of the MPSA, we are excited to have Johan Kosters participate in a leadership role as a member of the board of directors. It was a tough race among 13 very qualified candidates representing six countries. It demonstrates the international nature of the MPS industry and of MPSA. In fact, over 40 percent of our membership is international,” said MPSA president Jim Fitzpatrick.

On a Balance of Interests

“Managed Print Services will challenge the imaging and printing playing field in the upcoming years. MPS engagements will need to serve dynamic end-user needs for a high performing infrastructure to align their business processes and customer communication. Providers must concentrate on improving customer business processes and creating value through innovative infrastructure and services. As an MPSA board member, I will work to balance the interests of both end users and providers for healthy development of the MPS business,” said Kosters.

Managed Print Services Association LinkedIn Group Passes 3,000 Members in Less than Eighteen Months

Social networking site plays role in launch of association.

Mount Laurel, NJ – June 9, 2010 – The Managed Print Services Association (MPSA) announced that the MPSA LinkedIn social networking group has passed the 3,000 member mark, reflecting the phenomenal growth of the Managed Print Services (MPS) industry. The site rocketed to 1,000 members shortly after its launch in January 2009, and has experienced steady growth every since. This parallels the growth of the MPS model, and demonstrates the ongoing need for dynamic contact and communication within the MPS community.

Your MPSA Election: Ten Questions For the Candidates: "Consulting" Opening.

This election is heating up, some candidates actively campaigning.

The Managed Print Services Association (MPSA) election is underway for a current opening on the board that will serve a one-year term (May 2010 – May 2011). The open position is for someone in the “Consulting” area which can be defined as "any person working for a research or vendor independent professional services organization, and is not a full time employee of any Manufacturer, Dealer or Industry Logistical/Component provider."

Submitted for your review:

10 Questions from DOTC to all those running.

And by all I mean, Bob Barrette, Fred Berger, Randy Dazo, Merlijn de Vroe, Randy Elliott, Mitchell Filby, Harry Hecht, Steve Juris, Jim Kahrs, Johan Kosters, Steven Power, Gerry Skipwith and Mike Woodard.

DOTC invites all to answer in the form of a comment to this post.

Responses will be unedited.

One detail - EACH ANSWER WILL BE 144 CHARACTERS OR LESS.

The voting is open to MPSA Members.

This should be fun:


1. What is your definition of MPS?
2. Does MPS currently have more in common with Copier or IT Sales?
3. What do you see as the future of MPS?
4. What is the number one benefit your clients receive from working with you?
5. In round numbers, how many clients have you consulted to or trained in, Managed Print Services, as defined in question one?
6. What value will you bring to the members of Your MPSA?
7. When was the last time you proposed, or help propose a MPS solution?
8. Do you belong to any other industry associations? If so, which?
9. What contribution to the MPS industry, do you feel Your MPSA should provide?
10.Who is your hero?

Threw that last one in, just for kicks.


That's it.

10 simple questions, 144 characters for each answer.

Voting procedure and candidate Bio's are here.

Click to email me.

Your MPSA 2010 MPS Leadership Awards Winners

The Managed Print Services Association (MPSA) is proud to announce the winners of the 2010 MPS Leadership Awards. Of the 60 different submissions across 53 different organizations in 12 different countries, the MPSA found quite considerable leadership and innovative thinking from all of the submissions.

Based upon the balanced scorecard voting that rated submissions in Core Abilities (30%), Best Practices (30%) and Business Benefits (40%) the following are the top winners in a highly competitive process.

Free Photizo Webcasts Offer Live Coverage of MPSA General Assembly at North American MPS Conference

Other key MPS Conference sessions also offered

LEXINGTON, KY – April 28, 2010 – Photizo Group and MPSInsights.com will host a free webcast of the MPSA General Assembly live from the 2010 North American MPS Conference, and interactive chat will let viewers participate during the session. The MPSA Annual Meeting and General Session led by MPSA President Jim Fitzpatrick takes place May 5 from 4:45-5:30 pm Central.

In addition, a number of other MPS Conference sessions will also be webcast free of charge from MPSInsights.com, providing viewers with a sample of the MPS Conference. With the North American conference nearing a capacity audience, the webcasts will make portions of the event content available to more people.


“This year’s MPS North America Conference continues the high standard that has been set at each event in the MPS Conference series, and the agenda is loaded with excellent content. We recognize the crucial need for information in this dynamic market, and through these free webcasts, Photizo hopes to extend the educational opportunity a little wider across the MPS community,” said Ed Crowley, President of the Photizo Group.

MPSInsights.com Webcast Schedule: (All sessions are Central time.)

Tuesday, May 4

· 9:15-10:15 am; Ed Crowley--Photizo Group, State of the Industry

· 10:30-11:30 am; John MacInne--Print Audit, Scott Bonck--IKON, Adding Print Rules to Your MPS Program

· 3:00-4:00 pm; Lawton Smith--DirectPointe, SharePoint Servers As a Building Block for Stage 3 Engagements

Wednesday, May 5

· 8:15-9:00 am; Jason Evans--PEQ Services Solutions, Keynote Address

· 9:45-10:45 am; Jose Luis Parga--Pulsartec, Is Selling MPS to SMBs Profitable?

· 1:30-2:30 pm; Greg Walters--SIGMAnet, David Cameron--Photizo Group, Changing Dealer Business Models; Myth vs. Reality

· 4:45-5:30 pm; MPSA Annual Meeting and General Session led by Jim Fitzpatrick, MPSA President

Webcast video access and other information are available at MPSInsights.com.


Click to email me.

The Best In MPS: Your MPSA Managed Print Services Awards 2010

This isn't the Magic Quadrant, these awards are for you.

And everyone who submits, is a winner.

That's right, every submission will be reviewed and an article detailing your solution will posted by your MPSA.

Exposure.

Here's my take; there is no deal or solution or MPS implementation that is too small. Of course all the larger OEM's will submit, huge, global, galactic level MPS implementations.

Let's see some "normal", everyday MPS Engagements submitted - its not the size its the impact that counts.

Check it out, submit a your customer, your client, your process, your favorite vendor.


Managed Print Services – 2010 Leadership Awards
Gain the recognition you deserve

The Managed Print Services Association (MPSA) is pleased to announce the start of the 2nd annual MPS Leadership Awards for our mutual industry. These highly coveted awards provide the industries only recognition for the leaders that are helping to shape and benefit the Managed Print Services industry.

See the following briefing documentthat covers the Award Categories, Benefits of Applying, and this year we have Simplified the Application Process.

New to this years awards:

All submissions will receive the following benefits:

1. MPSA Published Article profiling your accomplishments
2. Communications for your Article to all MPSA Members
3. Balanced Scorecard – Providing equal opportunity regardless of size
4. MPSA Disclosure of final scoring vs. other entries within your category

While award submissions can be received up until March 2010, the MPSA would like to receive your submission within the next 30 days if possible.

Special thanks to the Photizo Group LLC, for sponsoring these awards and their continued support of the MPSA.

Click to email me.

MPSA 1st Webinar - Photizo: Managed Print Services in 2010 - "...the year of the Channel..."

Your MPSA conducted it's first Higher Education webinar.

Ed Crowley from Photizo presented his view of the year to come.

Attendance was strong, the questions pertinent.

Some of the news, ominous.

Not a crystal ball in sight.

Here are some tidbits...

In 2009 MPS moved from a "sales and marketing" program into a Core offering for most MPS Practices - and this will accelerate in 2010.

MPS is moving to the mid-market.

Customers are driving into the third Stage, Enhance the Business Process and software is the way.

The "definition" subject came up - one question, "...what is MPS? Fleet management, CPC ?" Ed's response, "...it's more then the fleet, it includes BPO, document flow and all the items of Stage 3..."

Scale? Systems need to be scaled from the 100's of devices up to 1,000's of devices; this is evolving.

80% of dealers are still "testing" the MPS market - remote meter reads only. A small percentage of dealers are managing their fleets. Not just marketing, not just a sales program, MPS is a change in business model. This is holding most dealers back.

Ed predicts that by 2013, 50% of resellers in North America will be out of business due to inability to be successful with MPS.

The MPS market will exceed $32 billion in revenues in 2010.

Finally, 2010 is the year of the Channel.

MPS as a practice, has evolved from a marketing scheme, or technique into a full blown, functional business model - we are at critical mass - MPS is being taken seriously now. We will see more and more emphasis on those, in the channel, who adapted to MPS, implementing a full practice.

"Hybrid Dealers" will start to take shape and form, with one national Hybrid dealer emerging in the next 3 years.
--------------------

This was a very informative session. Coupled with the recent Lyra content, the times are changing, again, the future ain't what it use to be, again.

Click to email me.

What's In Store For You in 2010? Your MPSA Doesn't Have a Crystal Ball, We Got Ed - ;-)

Good Times? Bad Times? Which One of These?

Last year, at the 2008 MPS Conference in San Antonio Texas, Ed (CEO, Photizo Group) claimed that 2009 would be the "Year of MPS". I was there, I heard it and saw the slide-deck with my own eyes.


True to prediction, MPS is the hottest thing going, well at least in terms of discussion groups and industry buzz - hell, even iTEX is talking about the "hybrid-dealer". Ed should have trademarked the term. Anyway.

Your MPSA is hosting a quick Webinar, January 28th 11:00 AM EST - which of course means I will be attending in a bath-robe and leopard thong, feet up on the desk, sipping my java.

Aren't you happy we ain't doing the webcam thing?

Go here. Register for the Photizo Webinar.

While your at it, RSVP for the webinar February 28th, "The Anatomy of an MPS Deal" presented by Great America - good peeps all around.

Yeah, I doubt the young, bikini clad ball-gazers will be there, but you never know.

Your Managed Print Services Association Needs You - You Need The MPSA

As a reader of DeathOfTheCopier, you are part of an elite crew.

Thank you for visiting.

You should be part of another crew, the MPSA, let me tell you why.

Odds are, you're an owner/principal of a copier dealership. Or you're a new copier rep, a MPS Practice Manager, toner supplier, IT VAR or Seasoned Old Dog, you could be with one of the "big guys" X, I/R, or HP.

Your office may be a cube in New York City, the front seat of your car on the streets of Jersey or anyplace on the globe. Indeed, from to Japan to London, Amsterdam to Australia, the DOTC Universe is both huge and connected, a small world indeed.

Either way, you are a Professional, a unique individual, making your way.

The collective mind of the MPSA board is comprised of the sharpest, MPS oriented individuals on the planet. What's more stunning is that ego's and personal agendas are left at the door.

From defining MPS to establishing M.I.B. standards, the board is not backing down from huge issues for our industry. And yet, we remember our humble beginnings – the “down the street” sale.

Your MPSA is here for you – and by “you” I do not mean the fortune 500 gorilla X or the blue behemoth that is HP. I mean you – the manager reprinting one of my articles for the sales team, or you, the squeaky clean, new rep researching MFPs on a Sunday night and you, the grizzled Copier Dude, enticed into reading by the Girls of DOTC.

By “you”, I mean us.

Companies don’t bleed, or know the meaning of “sweat equity”, individuals do. A corporation doesn’t close deals, get commissions or pay taxes, individuals do.

To the core, the MPSA board is working for you, the individual - this is why I am pitching the MPSA. It isn’t that I do not appreciate the girth, substance or influence of the global leaders – I do.

All I know is that if all us individuals shrugged at the same moment, the MPS Universe would shudder.

So, with this in mind, I urge you to go to the site and become a member.

Try it. This improves you as an individual. As every assesment and presentation enhances your resume, the MPSA can be a touchstone for you as you sail the stormy seas of Managed Print Services.

If you have any hesitations, drop me an email and query me directly.

Go here now -

http://www.yourmpsa.org

Your Managed Print Services Association International Board Member Election: It's Your Association - Globalized

As part of the MPSA, it is my duty to promote the MPSA and it's events.

I have never considered this a "duty" - and it is was great pride, I cut and paste this announcement from the site.

In less than eight months, the MPSA has now expanded international, with seven candidates vying for two international board member openings.

A listing of complete bio's here.

Hakam Abu-Risheh: Gulf Commercial Group

Mr. Hakam Abu Risheh has been at the helm of GCG since 2003 and has played a pivotal role in establishing the position of market leader that GCG enjoys today. He was previously with El Ajou group in Saudi Arabia as General Manager for its Canon operations, and also had additional responsibilities for the Unisys and Pitney Bowes product lines. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Electronics from the University of Manchester in the UK.

Ravi Balaguragi: Mustafa Sultan Office Technology Co LLC

Johan Kosters: DOCplus

Mr. J. Kosters has been an industry expert and ‘docaholic’ for more than 20 years. Since 2002 he is an independent consultant in the imaging, print and mail industry. Before this he has held several positions within Océ's research, sales, training and business services. In 2004 he founded DOCplus Consultancy, supporting clients with improving their document infrastructure and processes. DOCplus Consultancy has built an independent leadership position for document output management strategy development, purchasing support and ongoing end-user service level management of MDS/MPS engagements.

Graham Mann: The Danwood Group

In standing for election to the MPSA board I have put together the following profile with highlights of my industry background, significant accomplishments and what I can offer the MPSA and its members.

My name is Graham V Mann. I was born in London in 1959 and currently hold the position of corporate accounts director working for Europe’s largest independent print management services company – The Danwood Group. http://www.danwood.co.uk/. My background is mostly sales, however I am trained in marketing with Institute of Marketing Qualifications. More recently I have learned an appreciation for project management skills and understand the value this brings to a successful MPS offering. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and am actively involved with local community cricket and football clubs.

Robert Newry: NewField IT

This is an exciting time to be in the industry as we transform from a box led proposition to a service led one. There are many choices and challenges to address and the Managed Print Services Association (MPSA) provides a much needed independent source of advice, discussion and standardization. My experience at NewField IT where we have been involved in 100+ MPS type projects in 31 countries is why I feel I can bring a knowledgeable and independent view to this diverse and fast evolving area.

Uwe-Jens Nonnsen: Self employed Consultant

My experience in this industry goes back to the 70’s. As Managing Director of the German subsidiary of Nashua Corporation, Nashua, N.H. I established mid of the 80`s the foundation for an ever growing and prospering organization. I stayed Managing Director throughout the acquisitions and mergers performed by Gestetner in 1990 and followed by Ricoh in 1995. In 1991-1993 I also was as MD in charge for Gestetner Denmark and Sweden. 1995 was the start of NRG Group Plc. (Nashuatec/Rex Rotary/Gestetner) – a 100 % owned subsidiary of Ricoh Tokyo. All subsidiaries of NRG operated parallel and competed with Ricoh’s own subsidiaries.

Peter Strohkorb: PS Consulting

Peter is a hands-on Consulting, Sales & Marketing professional with over 20 years senior management experience in B2B Solutions. He enjoys coming into organizations to either start new lines of business, or to take existing businesses to the next level.

Peter is a specialist in Managed Print Services. He recently joined CSC Australia to build the Enterprise Print Solutions business. Previously, he spent seven years at Canon where he started and built the Solutions and Managed Document Services business from zero.

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