Remember the film “What Women Want,” in which actor Mel Gibson miraculously taps into the minds of all females, becoming privy to all their thoughts? The 2000 movie saw a companion sequel, “What Men Want,” in 2019, reversing the roles with Taraji P. Henson as the protagonist who could listen to what goes through men’s minds.
Lisa Salerno may not be an actress, but from a life-imitating-art standpoint, the product manager for Konica Minolta Business Solutions is a living embodiment of having unusual insight into the thoughts of her clients, which are print service providers. But rather than a magical, mysterious force providing Salerno with the answers she needs to address PSP needs, she can simply fall back on her 20 years of experience of working for commercial printers.
In other words, Salerno can think like her printer clients because she’s been there, done that, and can anticipate how Konica Minolta’s product arsenal can speak to their individual requirements. What better qualifications can be asked of a product manager in the print realm?
“I believe that because I grew up in the printing industry that I truly understand what the print service providers want and need,” said Salerno, a 2021 ENX Magazine Difference Maker. “I love being able to collaborate with R&D to influence product design and functionality.”
Fresh out of SUNY Buffalo with a degree in graphic design, Salerno’s first gig was handling design, prepress and typesetting for a small print shop. Salerno then worked for a variety of printers for a span of 20-plus years, setting the knowledge foundation she would need upon moving to the manufacturer side with Konica Minolta in 2006.
In her role of product manager, Salerno relishes the opportunity to empower sales reps by providing them with the information and tools they need to be successful in proffering the firm’s production print line of products. It also helps to have a deep affinity for the art of printing.
“As a former graphic designer, I love print,” she added. “I enjoy taking beautifully designed files and translating them into fully finished printed pieces.”
Art and Science
Printing is a science as much as it is an art. Salerno is a qualified G7 expert, meaning she is adept at color management, process and quality control for proofing and printing. During her career, she has played a pivotal role in various Konica Minolta production print cutsheet innovations, from the C14000/C12000 high-volume press to the AccurioPress C4080. Salerno also helped devise the OEM’s Product Configurator, an online sales enablement tool for configuring any Konica Minolta office and production print devices.
Salerno gleaned much inspiration from longtime product management colleague Dawn Nye. “She taught me to be fearless, push the limits and roll up my sleeves to do what is needed to get the job done,” Salerno noted.
One of the bright spots to emerge from the pandemic-riddled 2020 campaign was Salerno’s involvement in developing Konica Minolta’s virtual demo strategy. The Client Experience Center was home to numerous virtual demonstrations, with Salerno and her team providing how-to insight for sales to sell equipment during the difficult period.
“Our customers were able to feel like they were right in front of the equipment,” Salerno remarked. “We all quickly learned how to be on-air talent, camera people, producers, directors and more.”
That creativity and persistence will go a long way toward continued success leading into the second half of 2021 and beyond. “At Konica Minolta, we will continue to manufacture the best production print product and solutions in the industry,” she said. “My team and I will do whatever it takes to be sure our message of incredible quality, world-class automation, reliability and versatility is delivered to our sales teams and our customers.”
Away from the office, Salerno is the mother of two adult children, Marissa and John. In addition to spending time with them, she enjoys walking, hiking, photography and painting, along with cooking and baking. Her freelance design work has graced the pages of several magazines.
