George Grafanakis,
SIICA
One of the keys to becoming a true visionary is to picture the outcome of a project in its entirety, then work backward to outline all of the steps necessary to make it become a reality. Of course, it definitely helps to have the chops to marry ideas with a finished product, and that has been virtually a lifelong vocation for George Grafanakis.
As the associate director, hardware product management for Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), Grafanakis reaps tremendous satisfaction from watching his team bring a new product to market following long months of research, planning and collaboration with the company’ factory group in Japan.
“During the planning cycle, we visit with dealers and customers to make sure we understand the latest workflow trends and requirements,” said Grafanakis, a 2018 ENX Magazine Difference Maker. “By the time we are ready to launch, we have done all the analysis to know our product will be a great success, and that’s a really exciting moment for me.”
As is the case with many electronics aficionados, Grafanakis was one of those youngsters with an inquisitive mind who would take devices apart to see how they operate. During his high school years, he took a basic electronics course as an elective, which further kindled his love for tinkering with the mechanics of devices. Thus, it comes as no surprise that he began his career as a field technician for a local dealership.
“I enjoyed troubleshooting the equipment and solving problems,” Grafanakis noted. “However, it wasn’t until a year later—when I was a product specialist at a much larger organization—that I realized my real passion was learning about the technology and imparting what I learned to others.”
Dean of Discipline
One of the greatest influences who imparted wisdom on Grafanakis was Chris King. He hired Grafanakis at two different companies and proved to be his advocate for many years. A military veteran, King’s high level of discipline was very influential on Grafanakis. King stressed the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions and to be accurate in any task performed.
By the same token, longtime friend Bill Quatrone passed along a great piece of advice—don’t sweat the small stuff—that encourages viewing things from a big picture perspective. “Although this is simple advice, it works in both business and in life,” Grafanakis said. “It helps get me through stressful situations.”
During the past two years, Grafanakis’ team has worked closely with its factory in Japan to streamline Sharp’s MFP product line and introduce new features. As a result, Sharp has 30-plus models that share a common user interface and features set; in fact, 22 of those models share common options and accessories. By employing this strategy, it enables Sharp to simplify training, service and logistics for its dealers.
Golden Opportunities
Grafanakis believes the future is bright for Sharp and its partner base. “Our collaboration with Sharp’s major shareholder, Foxconn, offers us a great opportunity to expand our offerings in the B2B category and develop new solutions for the smart office,” he said.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect for Grafanakis is the wealth of knowledge that awaits him. “I was once told by a previous employer that growth is a requirement of life. I am continually learning every day and working to expand my skill set. This is the best thing I can do to improve myself,” he noted.
Grafanakis resides in New Jersey with wife Donna and their two children (a son and daughter). The family enjoys spending summers in Lake George, NY, where they go boating and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
