The Prints of Life: A week on the road in the world of Managed Print Services 2008

 

On the road again,

Deals to close, clients to meet,

Thrill of the chase lives.

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It's another day on the road, 

another week in the wild world of managed print services. I hit the gas on my beat-up Chevy and head towards Victorville, California, where a room full of copier salesmen are all vying for a piece of the action at an RFQ meeting. I can already feel the whiskey burning in my veins and the adrenaline pumping through my body. 

The drive there is a trip, let me tell you. Past the Rose Bowl, the site of many a Michigan defeat, and onto the Pacific Coast Highway. The ocean is a sight to behold, especially after a cold Michigan winter. Up to the client's office, where the C-level execs are waiting for me to inventory their fleet...

This is my element, baby.

I Conducted a #ManagedPrintServices Assessment and Analysis - Then Gave it to ChatGTP

ChatGTP is a linguistics program that interrupts and responds to questions.  It's getting lots of attention on social networks.  The program either excites or intimidates, depending on perspective.

I loathe automatic proposal generators.  But this thing is incredible.

First, I asked the Super Smart Thing in the Sky:

What are the components and process of a successfully managed print services program the costs involved with implementing a program for a 400-bed hospital network?

Will Artificial Intelligence Take Your (copier, MPS, IT) Sales Job?

Artificial Intelligence Tells You How to Sell Managed Print Services

I tried it.  I asked the screen, 

"How do I use artificial intelligence to sell managed print services?"

Then I asked it again.  I asked the same question twice and was given two separate responses.

How do I use chatGPT to sell managed print services?

The Adolescence of P-1

ChatGPT is a chatbot that uses the GPT-3 language model to generate responses to user inputs. To use ChatGPT to sell managed print services, you would need to train the chatbot on relevant information about your business and the managed print services you offer. This could include information about the features and benefits of your managed print services, pricing, and any special offers or promotions you may be running.

Numbers Up, Volumes Down, and A3 or A4, "Just. Doesn't. Matter."

Do dealers exagerate?  Hell yeah, we all do, every single day about every single thing to every single person we meet.

Over the past 5 months, I've heard more and more positive feedback about sales than I have in the past 36 months.  

The first inkling was tales of customers initiating leases without expecting delivery for 120 days.  When was the last time a customer would willingly wait more than 30 days for their device?

Heard in the back alleys and sidebars of the industry:

 

Cutting Edge #Comedy is Offensive - So Is Cutting Edge #Selling

Arrested for comedy.

Good comedy is cutting-edge and offensive.

Good selling is cutting-edge and offensive.

Lenny Bruce. 

E*Commerce: Where B2C Thrives and Old Business Systems Go To Die.

Summary: DOTC argues that selling office technology has become a commodity, with e-commerce platforms replacing the need for sales reps to pitch the product. The author suggests that instead of focusing on the hardware, companies should shift their focus to managed services and helping businesses increase sales, reduce costs, and grow profits.

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You've heard it, "If you aren't on my e-commerce platform, you're going to die."  or this one, "Today, you don't need any outside sales reps.  Your prospects don't want to talk to your pushy, commission-breath, hired guns anymore...they'd much rather tap a few keys and have the copier show up at the door."

Well, not that bad.

To be certain, having an ecomm presence is a good thing- for ribbons, toner cartridges, staples, highlighters, and white out.  Groceries, bicycles, and yoga pants are easy to purchase online as well.  So are motor oil, shampoo, peanuts, air compressors, and even lawnmowers.

Do you see the common thread?

Commodity: a mass-produced unspecialized product

LAUSD Gets Hacked, Does Not Pay, "Secret and Confidential" Data is Released.

Is Anyone Surprised?

From a LinkedIn post by Michael Bruner, Technology Consultant, Managed Print and Content Services, Flex Technology Group.

"I'll just leave this here...

Los Angeles School District gets hacked?

I've called on ALOT of school districts and .GOV letting them know I'd like to meet and talk about the potential security vulnerability of their desktop printers and MFP's. #itsecurity #managedprintservices

What will it take to understand this is a serious threat?"

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Of course, I chimed in...

Walt's Weekly Words - Week 15 - July 15

Walt's Spin

"What's old is new." A statement uttered by countless generations before and leagues to come. For me, and I am sure many timeline-compatriots, today's world seems eerily reminiscent. Certainly not identical, and more than nostalgic. 

More like a Renaissance.

Managed Print Services is still alive and experiencing a bump. Partly due to some pent-up demand and a reduction of IT resources.

The demand is provisional. I still believe pivoting into IT services is possible, not strictly because of an existing print-centric relationship as much as the supporting infrastructure of MPS practices is a solid foundation for the transition.

Sales and marketing will shift demographics and talk tracks, but needs assessments and proposals are parallel paths. But again, the demand for IT services has a shelf life.

Consolidation runs rampant, and the larger, establishments remain overconfident in their temporary position.

What do, the Anti-WorkFromAnywhere movement, the Biden administration, and "V is for Vendetta" all have in common?

#WFA, Fighting for the Soul of Society

What is the common thread?  How do these points connect and what constellation is formed?

The Answer:

• Centralized, Authoritarian rule.  
• Propaganda-fueled messaging through controlled media.  
• Self-centered interpretation of established norms.  
• Elimination of a "higher power" and inalienable rights.  
• The demonization of those holding differing views. 
• Maximizing fear to leverage and presenting their solution as final.

What's this got to do with selling #copiers?  Nothing. EVERYTHING.

Walt's Words Week 16

Walt's Spin 

This week, HP hits the market with 23(!) A3(???) devices - in color. 

Not to be outdone, Toshiba puts hope in the cloud when it comes to printing. The Apple Watch continues to help manage your health as Amazon buys big in healthcare. A convergence of print, telephony, and managed print services for a London firm, Queen sets a record (in records) and here in the US, nobody wants to work on Fridays.

Week 15 - July 15

Walt's Spin

"What's old is new." A statement uttered by countless generations before and leagues to come. For me, and I am sure many timeline-compatriots, today's world seems eerily reminiscent. Certainly not identical, and more than nostalgic. More like a Renaissance.

Managed Print Services is still alive and experiencing a bump. Partly due to some pent-up demand and a reduction of IT resources.

The demand is provisional. I still believe pivoting into IT services is possible, not strictly because of an existing print-centric relationship as much as the supporting infrastructure of MPS practices is a solid foundation for the transition.

Sales and marketing will shift demographics and talk tracks, but needs assessments and proposals are parallel paths. But again, the demand for IT services has a shelf life.

Consolidation runs rampant, and the larger, establishments remain overconfident in their temporary position.

Smaller, more agile companies bite at their ankles, stirring up turbulence and poised to disrupt the onetime disruptors.

 

On a more celestial stage, the Webb telescope released stunning photos of our both crowded and sparse galactic neighborhood. The pictures are sure to give a great perspective.

The DOTC Office Technology Partnership Ecosystem continues to grow as we welcome All Associates to the realm. These guys have been measuring office output usage and Running Up That Hill, since the 80s.

Have a great weekend!

Far from an HP Fanboy, but...Have you seen their Managed Print Services Push?

"HP Sucks"

One might say, "I haven't seen office technology advancements like these since Panasonic."

Far from an HP Fanboy, but - there is more data-based content about Managed Print Services, and the Hybrid environment in one marketing piece than the rest of the OEMs, combined.

Yeah, I know HP thinks EVERYBODY  is their customer and yes working with them can be tiresome.

But not only is HP a player, but they are also still the biggest guy on the block.  Who in their right mind would square off against Blue in the A4 market?

Regardless.  MPS Deniers take note.

Greg Walters, Inc./DOTC & All Associates Reignite Relationship

 The DOTC Office Technology Partnership Ecosystem Expands R&D Division

Plotting the Data-Based Course Into a World Without...

Our crack team of researchers, data scientists, investigators, and web-surfers have been enhanced - dare I say, 'augmented'.  

We've rekindled an alliance with a company known by the biggest players in the industry.  Their computational analyses comprise more than 1,000 variable elements and scientific approach has been referenced in thousands of client engagements. 

I've worked with All Associates Group on many projects from Mayo to Mission Health - indeed, back in the IKON days, their analytical engine was available to every salesperson in the company.  The cream of the crop professionals engaged the tool often, with resounding results.

“Why Tigerpaw One is the Leading Influencer, Infrastructure” Greg Walters, the DOTC Office Technology Partnership Ecosystem

The Infrastructure Influence includes ECi, Forza, and Tigerpaw One.

The grading system is simple: What Influencer would I recommend to a client building or changing an existing program. The client could be a provider or the ultimate consumer.

I’ve evaluated hundreds of components and teams over the decades assembling tech solutions that help reduce costs, increase sales, or eliminate inefficiencies. Through this lens of experience, I evaluate each Influencer over approximately 20 data points.

There are no losers. Just being an Influencer in the DOTPE is an accomplishment.

For Tigerpaw One:

Eight Firms Recognized as Influencers of Merit - Sales Acquisition.

Greg Walters, Inc. Recognizes the Top Sales Acquisition Influencers for the Copier & Managed Print Services Niche

Stop saying you're going to save customers 30% in print costs.

Flat Rate and Hiring: Do Managed print Services Specialists still exist?

Lot's to discuss - Good talent is difficult to attract, titles mean things, MpS is still alive, myself, West, and Ken will talk to these and much more - in less than 32.5 minutes. 

Walt's Weekly Words, Week 4

This week, there is more content around employment, and the insistence of returning to the office by management, ownership, and the C-Suite. The transition back to the cube is experiencing resistance as the negatives of supporting two offices begin to take hold.

#Apple employees petition for more flexibility, as businesses get back to 'business', occupancy rates across the country continue a slow regression.

#Austin, Texas is reported to be on the office space recovery. This is a mirage. The increase is tied to the return of government workers.

The DOTC Partnership Ecosystem - #Ecosystem #MPS #Copiers

The Partnership Ecosystem:

"It is a term that describes – relatively accurately – a state in which partnered businesses interact with each other on an equal footing. Although this describes partnerships in the past, the identification and quantification of this situation are significant. It represents a shift in how partnerships are seen by analysts." - AllTopStartups

Jay McBain has been evangelizing this structure for years.  If you don't know about Jay, Googlitize his name and check it out.

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The DOTC Partnership Ecosystem consists of 12 primary categories, plus one for Clients settling on 13 total Influences.

Within each Influence, there is at least one Influencer.  An array of Influences work with a customer-facing entity, typically, the Dealer.  All Influencers have sway on the customer experience. When the system is aligned, powerful solutions are successfully brought to market, solving real-world business problems.

This model represents a closely connected network of resources and providers similar to the structure of Market Places.

OK let's quickly explore the Influences within a DOTC Managed Print Services partnership ecosystem: