Security, Training, Competition and Growth Among Primary Challenges for Elite Dealers

The third part in our series of the top challenges facing the Elite Dealer ranks in 2018 kicks off with a subject that has garnered momentum in recent years, not only from an office technology point of view but on the national stage as well: security. The threat of cyberattacks
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Enjoying the Fruits of Her Labor Adds Spice to Work of Sharp Difference Maker Grace Hellmold

The key to continued success after 25 years on the job is to avoid complacency and take a fresh approach to one’s line of work. For Grace Hellmold, director of marketing communications and events for Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), the thrill of walking
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Doug Albregts: Sharp Plus Foxconn Equals Awesomeness

PHOENIX—Though the Sharp dealer event held Nov. 28-Dec. 1 at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort may have been dubbed Pulse 2017, perhaps a “Members Only” theme would have been more appropriate. During the general session held on the first full day of the meetings, Sharp
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New Year’s Resolutions for Sales: Obtaining Net-New Business

This is always an exciting time of the year. As office technology dealers close the book on 2017, sales departments prepare to focus on the coming year. The teams have huddled to forge a game plan that will make 2018 their best year ever. These plans are either crafted to build
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Rising to the Challenge: Elite Dealers Discuss Overcoming Obstacles

Believe it or not, while we were capable of filling 140 pages in our December issue with the 2017 Elite Dealer profiles—and trust me, that is a LOT of information jammed between the covers—we were holding back just a little bit of information. OK, so maybe we could’ve tacked on
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Constructing Well-Oiled Machine Provides Satisfaction for SOS Difference Maker Buddy Puente

Employee empowerment is one of the critical ingredients required in enabling an office technology dealership, or any business for that matter, to realize its fullest potential. Finding and developing the right individuals who know what to do once the harness is in their hands is
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Top 10 Stories of 2017: All Eyes on the Future

For the document imaging industry, 2017 has been highly eventful, including a spate of new technology innovations, the continued movement toward managed services and the onslaught of mergers and acquisitions among dealers and manufacturers. M&A activity is another indication
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Faith and Sense of Community Provide Purposeful Life for SOS Difference Maker Vince Puente

It is at this time of year when we’re reminded of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” the tale of a narrow-minded businessman whose only concern in life was the unrelenting pursuit of profit. Ebeneezer Scrooge’s sense of family and community was nonexistent; any matter that did
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Human Resources: AIS Talks Transparency with Employees, Star Qualities Sought in Interview Process

The major culture change that transpired at Advanced Imaging Solutions (AIS) of Las Vegas required a reinvention of the dealership as a service organization as opposed to merely being a copier seller. One of the greatest struggles this entails is changing the mindset of clients
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Is New Hardware Bridging the Generation Gaps?

There’s a distinct modus operandi when it comes to preferred communication choices among Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millennials. Ken VandenHaute, vice president of sales for Cleveland-based Meritech, framed each segment in a manner which rings true. “The older generation is
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Electronics and Creativity Spark the Imagination of Sharp Difference Maker Colin Regina

While it has been with us for quite some time now, the world of analytics has garnered mainstream attention, particularly in the last 10 years, as we seek to measure opportunity and success through numbers. Perhaps this is an oversimplified interpretation of the movement, but
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Going Beyond the MFP: Label Printer and Digital Display Roles in the Office

Earlier this year, Muratec held a Label University during ITEX 2017 to open dealers’ minds to the possibilities that exist in offering dedicated digital label printers. How this movement will fare remains to be seen, but Muratec’s acquisition by Konica Minolta will add
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Striking a Balance with Relationships, Developing Careers Proves Gratifying for VBS Difference Maker Rick Lingon

Someone once told Rick Lingon that “life is made with time and effort.” During a nearly 20-year career, the vice president of sales and marketing at Virginia Business Systems (VBS) of Richmond, VA, has invested in both elements to forge an experience that has been successful and
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White: Opportunities Abound for Toshiba Growth in Direct and Dealer Channels

With great work comes even greater responsibility, and Larry White is poised to take Toshiba America Business Solutions (Toshiba) to the next level on both fronts. White, a 21-year veteran of Toshiba, was promoted to the role of chief revenue officer in early October. He
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Four Manufacturers Face Patent Infringement Lawsuits

A non-practicing entity, Diversified Observation, has filed lawsuits against Konica Minolta, HP, Panasonic and OKI Data, claiming infringements of its various technology patents. These suits are a prime example of patent trolling, where a company that does not produce any
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