I started in the Imaging Channel working for a company that introduced automated meter and toner reads across multiple OEMs. When I signed up for that job “managed print” didn’t even exist. Every process relied on humans interacting with other humans. Needed a meter read? Send out a tech or have the office manager pull...
As a business development manager, one of the questions I get asked all the time is “How do I build a business development plan for my own business?” I get asked this question so often that I have finally decided to put some words down to help out as many folks as possible.
Everyone talks about CRMs. They’ve become part of the alphabet soup and daily lives of tech-minded business professionals. But whether you’re new to the concept, or just a little uncertain about what to look for in a good CRM, it can be difficult (read: intimidating) to make an informed decision that you feel good about.
We’ve seen the rise and fall of empires, dot-com booms and busts, tidal shifts in how business is done, a pile of cat videos, and more memes and stupid gifs than “Star Wars Kid” could shake that broom handle at. It’s so ubiquitous in our daily existence, it’s hard to remember a time before the Internet. So, let’s take a...
So you think you want to do a SWOT analysis? There are plenty of resources available about how to do a SWOT analysis, which can be a valuable tool for business growth. However, few so-called experts will tell you that preparing yourself in advance is a critical first step for getting the most out of the effort a SWOT...
Unless you’ve taken a vow of silence and been living in a cave for the last 18 months or so, you’ve likely heard a lot of people talking about business convergence.
If you are an office equipment dealer or managed print provider, you may have even noticed that in the last six months or so convergence is dominating the...
For those not familiar with CompTIA, it is, I believe, the world-leading industry association for those involved in different technology channels. They are made up of CompTIA staff as well as a plethora of volunteer members (including myself) that come together to make sense of the hard issues affecting our industries...
Have you ever been asked to give a presentation about your area of expertise, but not to make it a “sales pitch”? This might have been for a lunch and learn, or perhaps you were asked to present a break-out session at a conference. These can be fruitful business growth opportunities for your company, but giving a...
The New Year always brings with it personal aspirations to make big changes, try new things and set goals for the upcoming year. But what about your business? Have you taken the time to map out the best New Year’s resolutions...
The right tools and technology can make all the difference when it comes to maintaining your competitive edge, positioning your small- to medium-sized business (SMB) for growth and doing more with less in today’s changing business environment.