Speaking strictly from a professional standpoint, have you ever wondered, “How did I get here?” During childhood, we are introduced to any number of occupations that sound exciting, like a fire fighter or a police officer; offer fortune and fame, such as a professional athlete or Read More

Another recent court setback left Ninestar’s reentry into the U.S. market in doubt. Judge Gary S. Katzman ruled Feb. 27 that the company’s embargo applied by the U.S. government would remain in force. It is not Ninestar’s lone remedy for reinstation, but the Read More

The 2024 manufacturer event slate kicked off in earnest Feb. 12-13 as Konica Minolta invited nearly 50 mid-market dealers from the east and south to the first of several road show meetings. The Westin Hotel in Sarasota, Florida, provided a sunny backdrop and a breath of fresh air Read More

The shock had not worn off when George Gorman walked into the office of Bill McLaughlin in April of 2013. Gorman, who manages the relationships between Ricoh America and its largest New York metropolitan dealers, was more than a business associate to McLaughlin, then a top Read More

It’s been nearly 30 years since Access Control Devices Inc. (ACDI) debuted as a purveyor of coin-op controllers, card readers and value-add stations, which is quite a niche segment to serve. But as the years have ticked off, ACDI is gradually migrating from tools that serve some Read More

OK, the calendar reads March, so we’re already at 2024’s one-quarter pole. To those of us who just packed away the last of the holiday decorations, this is unbelievable and just a tad bit alarming. Clearly, Father Time seems to have some place to go, and we’re all just along for Read More

Not long ago, the narrative behind Thomas Fimian was that of a Swiss immigrant who became a successful U.S. business owner at the helm of an office technology dealership in South Carolina. That’s an uplifting tale embodying entrepreneurial spirit, regardless of the industry. Read More

For a dealer account representative, building an impressive (and lucrative) deal that only begins with an MFP is like organizing a parade. Think of the most impressive one you’ve attended and all the elements that combined to make for an epic experience. Consider the coordination Read More

One of the many benefits of joining an industry peer group is the ability to canvass members on the merits of adding a new product or service to your portfolio. The responses are often brutally honest, which makes the advice all the more valuable. After all, press and analysts Read More

One of the many beauties of the office technology sector is the proud tradition of leadership that has been passed from family member to family member within many organizations. That was on full display during last month’s Executive Connection Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona, where Read More

It’s time to talk about that frustration shared among virtually all office technology dealers. There are few things more frustrating than finding out a prospect or client—particularly the latter—is unaware that your company offers (fill in the blank). Potential clients get Read More

From Canon to Xerox, Epson to Toshiba, Sharp to Lexmark, Ricoh to Konica Minolta, and Brother to Kyocera, the office technology reseller community has more than its share of options for peddling A3 and A4 units. Pretty much this entire crew (along with HP) boasts significant name Read More

We live in a results-oriented world, which has been a reality for many, many moons. It’s particularly true in business, as the ways and means of accomplishing a task pales in comparison to the result; unless that result is resoundingly negative, little attention is paid to h Read More

There was a time not long ago when auction and antique shows were huge on cable television. PBS, of all networks, set the standard with its “Antiques Roadshow.” The scripted drama “Storage Wars” has lasted about 15 years, including several iterations, and Read More

As dealers ponder whether a certain ancillary product offering is a good fit for their particular client and geography base, there are several obvious checklist items to consider. Cost to entry, degree of training required, the need for subject-matter experts and possible monthly Read More