HP to cut 24,600 jobs worldwide

US technology giant Hewlett-Packard has said that it will cut 24,600 jobs worldwide...over the next 3 years...

Ok, I don't remember hearing HP say that the aquisition of EDS would mean "business as usual" like the RiKON announcement spawned.

Still, can we see the future of Ikon in this announcement from HP?

Hurd Speaks -

"HP has a strong track record of making acquisitions and integrating them to capture leading market positions,' said CEO Mark Hurd. 'HP now has the broadest technology capabilities in the market to meet customer needs today and in the future,' he added."

September "Bump" - Hold on to your Hat

With the recent Ricoh/IKON (RiKON) news, copier sales people are now more globally minded...

From AP, World stocks soar after Freddie, Fannie bailouts

I personally do not participate in recessions. I don't like them.

I believe that as in sales, most "systems" built around humans are driven by as much emotional energy as cold, strategic planning.

So, even if I do not participate in recessions, my prospects and clients may succumb to the unfavorable economic, emotional bombardment - it's much easier to be negative.

Take this latest news article that explains world markets "soar" after the US government takes over Freddie and Fannie - some may explain this surge as an expected and temporary up-tic, I would agree. An emotions carry the surge.

The price of oil is falling - it may go below $100.00 per barrel this week.

This is good news and will affect business's purchasing mentality as people start to "feel" better.

This good news should effect the way YOU project your positive mentality as an Agent of Change.

"MPS Insights" - Second Edition out today

9/2008

Ed Crowley and Gang at the Photizo Group publish another great issue of MPS Insights

Culture Does Matter -

The theme of this issue is "Culture" and "...how managing cultural change is an integral aspect of a successful MPS engagement..." An issue near and dear to my heart.

As a matter of fact, not only is business culture an important issues in MPS but as a true Agent of Change, our impact on every corporate culture we touch is profound. From Computerized Accounting, and Corporate Identity Programs(uniforms); from copier installs to Managed Print Services engagements - by just talking to someone, you effect change...

I recommend checking out the Photizo Group. Oh, and the folks over at Photizo have impeccable taste in editorial contributors...impeccable...

Canon Profit May Miss Forecast, Fall 12% in 2008, Nikkei Says

Wow...12%...

Bloomberg

By Jason Clenfield

Sept. 13 (Bloomberg) -- Profit at Canon Inc. will probably fall in 2008, missing the company's forecast and recording the first decline in nine years, according to the Nikkei newspaper.

The maker of cameras and copiers is likely to report earnings of about 430 billion yen ($4 billion) for the year ending Dec. 31, a 12 percent decline from the previous year, the Nikkei reported today, without saying how it got the information. Sales of office equipment have slowed in the U.S. and Europe, according to the report.

The company has forecast earnings will rise 2 percent this year to 500 billion yen.

Company spokesman Hiroshi Yoshinaga declined comment on the report when contacted by telephone.

Gartner - RiKON

Gartner, Inc., the world’s leading information technology research and advisory company - speaks:

"This acquisition deal helps Ricoh fortify its formidable distribution channel. Expect a minimal near-term impact for most customers, but watch for Canon’s distribution partnership with IKON to end after the deal closes..."

Gartner agrees with my analysis(RiKon - "Really, I Knew One Name...") and adds a few little tidbits .

First off - Capacity-

It is Gartner's belief that:

"...if Canon drops IKON, Richo's manufacturing plant in Japan will have to boost capacity to make up the volume..."

I had not thought of this, but I agree. I do not think that the "up-tic" in production would pose too much of a problem for Ricoh - and what a nice problem to have.

I wonder how the Ricoh plant in Costa Measa, California will be affected. From an article in the Orange County Business Journal, by Sarah Tolkoff:

"...Its(Ricoh's) presence here is huge: Ricoh has more than 1.4 million square feet of industrial space spread among eight buildings in Irvine, Santa Ana and Tustin.

The local operation also has factories in Lawrenceville, Ga., and Toluca, Mexico.

Ricoh's name has been a fixture along the 55 freeway for more than 30 years. Proximity to the Port of Long Beach brought it here, said Jeff Briwick, executive vice president and group manager of Ricoh Electronics' corporate strategy group.

"Back then, product could flow from the parent company in Japan into the West Coast and then be deployed across the country to the East Coast," he said. "More than 35 years later, it still works mat way. Orange County is perfect from a supply chain and distribution perspective."

In Tustin, Ricoh has three buildings with about 475 workers.

One building doubles as the administrative headquarters for Ricoh Electronics and as a manufacturing plant for digital copiers.

In another building, Ricoh assembles chips onto circuit boards that go inside its all-in-one machines, which are built in the other Tustin building..."

So increasing output could be a good thing for Orange County.

Secondly -

Gartner's observation,

"...Based on Canon’s past reaction to similar deals with its channel partners, Gartner believes Canon will ultimately end its formal relationship with IKON, but will continue to support its products and abide by existing contracts until the deal closes..."

Pretty much a "no-brainer" here.

Looks like "business as usual" for now...


- Source Gartner.

IKON to cut 250 jobs: "Business as Usual"

Words From IKON's Espe - Internal IKON Memo

Ricoh to Buy IKON - Shot Heard Around the World

IKON/RICOH/CANON - Could there be a THIRD Shoe to Drop?

Gartner Report