💻 Ninestar’s Ban, Selling More Copiers, MPS Isn’t Dead
June 15, 2023
Industry
Managed Print Services(MPS) is Not Dead
Inking profits in a paperless world
Welcome to the intriguing paradox of the digital era: Managed Print Services (MPS).
In a world that’s marching towards ‘paperlessness,’ recent interviews with Mega Dealers shed light on the profitability of MPS.
MPS stands as a counter-current, registering a 6% growth even as overall print volume dips. As we navigate the post-pandemic recovery, industry stalwarts like Alex Cribby of PowerMPS see MPS not just as a profitable venture but as a pivotal platform for the future. Meanwhile, Flexprint forecasts an impressive 18% Y/Y growth, signaling the sector’s robust potential.
MPS is inking unexpected profits and brings a pivot position into other services and adjacent niches.
– Greg Walters, Head Writer
Helping Dealers in the Next Era of Imaging
From raw data to business intelligence to the implementation of best business practices specific to each individual company, NEXERA offers not just advisors, but implementers of projects and policies, while delivering the employee training necessary for a business to grow.
Industry
Printers, Politics, and Prohibitions: Ninestar’s Ban Unravels Complex Global Ties
Ink Today, Gone Tomorrow: A Toner Tale of Geopolitical Proportion
The world of tech and toner just got a lot more interesting.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has slammed the brakes on importing from Ninestar, the big-league supplies manufacturer from China, along with its eight siblings based in Zhuhai. Why, you ask?
Apparently, they’ve been accused of playing dirty with the government of Xinjiang, involving forced labor. This move is Uncle Sam’s way of flexing the U.S. Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act (UFLPA) muscle, a law that popped onto the scene in 2021.
As you may or may not know, Ninestar owns a cool 62% of Lexmark International. Remember, Lexmark got a thumbs-up from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. a few years back, and they’ve been playing nice by keeping their board strictly red, white, and blue. Now, Lexmark’s U.S. operations and supply chain might feel the heat from this ban, even though their products made and sold stateside aren’t directly in the line of fire.
And let’s not forget about the little guys — the print service providers and toner suppliers who used Ninestar’s stuff are now left in the lurch.
Just goes to show, when it comes to tech, it’s not just about circuits and software — there’s a whole lot of globe-trotting politics in the mix too. Read more here.
– Greg Walters, Head Writer
Industry
How to Sell More Copiers in the Age of Remote Work and Artificial Intelligence: Stop Talking About Copiers
The times are changing, but the basics still apply.
When it comes to business-to-business selling, the world is more turbulent than ever. Yet, the business landscape continues to endure, constantly adapting, shifting, and transforming. Let go of the traditional sales playbook; the era of pushing boxes is over. Instead, think of your role as a copier salesperson in the context of a broader, digitally infused world.
Most office technology salespeople look for opportunities to place more units, rarely discussing more than how well their devices perform and the history of their dealership. Conversations with successful organizations credit the ability to talk about and solve business problems, not ‘speeds and feeds’, as a primary reason for their growth. Instead of dwelling on the copiers’ specifications, delve into business processes, cost reduction strategies, and profit growth mechanisms.
Adopt an inquisitive approach, focusing on ‘solving’ rather than ‘selling’. Embrace the fluidity of today’s business world and watch your copier sales skyrocket. Read more, here.
– Greg Walters, Head Writer
Internet Relay Chat – News to Go
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- Forget Friday night — this is when real New Yorkers go out and get boozy
