Our starting point is less important than our ultimate destination. And sometimes a phone call is all it takes to get moving in the right direction. Just ask Vince Jannelli, the associate vice president, software product management for Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America.
A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Jannelli sought to pursue a PhD that meshed economics and decision theory. While waiting to attain a fellowship, Jannelli (who also has a master’s degree in management and policy from Stony Brook) did some temp work in the New York City area, including a long-term gig with Canon. It was a great experience and he learned a lot, but once the fellowship came through, it was time to return to the academic life.
Destiny, however, felt otherwise.
“After a year, I decided it wasn’t for me, as I wanted something more dynamic and engaging,” said Jannelli, a 2024 ENX Magazine Difference Maker. “I called my former boss at Canon, and the rest is history.”
While he’s enjoyed a long career, Jannelli has spent the last 25 years with Sharp. From hardware product marketing, channel development and now software product management, he’s developed a wide perspective of the manufacturer and can be found at customer events, providing a spirited overview of the company’s most dynamic releases. But more than anything, Jannelli is drawn to the people he encounters.
“It starts with all the amazing people that I work with, both within Sharp and across the channel; here in the U.S. and across the globe,” Jannelli said. “It is a very dynamic place to work and there is always something new to explore, especially when it comes to software, security and process. And with each new project comes a new set of people to work with and learn from.”
No Quitting
A relentless nature is his calling card; his motto has always been to “never give up, keep on going no matter what.” Of his effectiveness, Jannelli observed, “Learning more about why we are doing a certain thing and how it is done helps me think of alternate approaches that we should be trying.”
There are far too many people who have impacted Jannelli for him to list. It is his hope that he can pay that wisdom and knowledge forward as much as possible.
“Each person I meet teaches me something new,” he added.
Jannelli points out that as a product management team, the thrust is to achieve consistency across Sharp’s product offerings, making it easier for channel partners to sell, train and support them. The key, he said, is to not lose sight of pushing the boundaries on new functionality geared toward enabling a services-based approach to selling.
That philosophy and vision was on display, along with new offerings, during 2023’s Sharp National Dealer Meeting. “Most of the feedback was positive, showcasing our hardware products within the context of a services-based approach,” he said. “We’ve had a good run in getting this mostly right. Of course, there is always lots of room to improve, which is exactly what we look forward to doing.”
With the calendar soon changing to 2025, Jannelli aims to drive Sharp forward in the smart office space by supporting channel partners. And as he gets deeper into his career, Jannelli knows the best path forward entails not resting on his laurels, considering the market’s needs keep changing. The ability to set a product direction that “gets that mostly right” is certainly one goal. Another is to develop the team and position them to grow and thrive.
Away from the office, Jannelli boasts “a wonderful family, both near and far, including two rambunctious dogs.” They spend a good deal of time traveling in order to connect with extended family. Although his playing days are over, he remains an avid soccer fan who loves exercising.
Another area in which he is passionate about is helping the next generation of students prepare for the workforce. One vehicle to aid in the cause is his Jannelli-URECA Award, which provides a grant to students interested in research projects “at the intersection of business and humanities,” he added.
