EDMS, Baked Chicken and Rigatoni

You are probably wondering what electronic document management software, baked chicken and rigatoni have to do with each other.

Well, according to our partners at DocuWare they have everything to do with each other.

Recently Expert Laser Services and DocuWare entered into a partnership, as we are now offering said robust electronic document management software as another fine addition to our product line.

One of the key marketing dynamics that is a staple within DocuWare is the free luncheons that the company and their partners put on to educate prospects and current customers alike in regards to the extensive functionality and ROI associated with the DocuWare software.

Just yesterday we hosted our first of many DocuWare Luncheons at the ever popular Periwinkles Bar and Grille in Auburn, MA. (see above picture for one of many banquet rooms)

While the presentation itself proved to be a most valuable, interesting and compelling experience for both myself, the present Expert Laser Services staff and our guests, I personally found that the meal which was enjoyed near the end of the event really catalyzed the first inklings of a great relationship with one of the gentlemen I had invited to the event.

Eating a delicious meal together evokes a sense of celebration and suggests the concept of family even in the business atmosphere that the luncheon was clearly projecting. During this time where we were able to share a superb meal of home made rolls, roasted herb and butter baby carrots, baked chicken, rigatoni and Italian sausage with peppers and onions, I found that the best conversations of the event took place during this meal time.

We discussed not only the potential benefits of the software to my guests organization but also about what he enjoyed to do in his spare time, how he started in the industry he worked in and some of the experiences he has had in the different jobs he has had in said position. It was this mealtime conversation which I believe the slight shift from unknowing to the beginnings of having an understanding of one another took place.

Sharing a meal, especially one of quality foods in a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere in conjunction with an educational seminar truly does make for the kind of experience that allows for the first dynamics of human interaction between two folks who have met for the first time to play out in a way that I believe, is superior to that of similar events that do not include said meal.

In retrospect I would say that a great meal is truly the perfect way to open doors to new and or expanded relationships with new and current clients alike.

Does anyone out their have any similar experiences? If so, do share.

Think Globally Smash Printers Locally

The above video is in my opinion, a true classic of printer destruction. First introduced to me by Mark Schaefer, author of the {grow} marketing blog, this video is by no means new.

The clip is at once a testament to the fact that poor customer service is not only unacceptable in this day and age but also that in a world with Youtube, the backlash is unavoidable and rightly so.

As an avid fan of this clip you can imagine my surprise when an employee of Fall Prevention Alarms (a customer of ours) suggested that we check out this video. As it turns out the Solider in the clip is a friend of the folks at this company.

This small world connection was made when a gentleman from the above business stopped into purchase some of our own remanufactured toner cartridges and noticed a flyer on the desk of our receptionist left over from the first destroy your printer contest.

Sure enough he could also relate to the bane of laser printer related stress and said he is considering entering our third annual destroy your printer contest.

Paying It Forward

Over the past two years my work in social media for Expert Laser Services has acted as a catalyst for connecting with many wonderful, talented and professional individuals who are experts in their respective industries.

I have been humbled by these folks interest in my own work, namely my now infamous destroy your printer contest series. Thanks to the many retweets, blog posts, e-mails and referrals I have to my surprise, become at least somewhat "internet famous" and have managed to generate sales through social media, solidifying myself as my company's "chief social media marketing engineer".

Today I want to take the opportunity to shine a light on some of these incredible and talented people and suggest that you do yourself a favor by checking out their websites/blogs.

@markwschaefer (Mark Schaefer) This man is one of the few individuals who actually deserves the title "social media guru". Not only is he a true professional and gentleman but also one of the most kind hearted folks I have connected with. Marks blog posts are filled with excellent, spot on content relevant to multiple dimensions of the social media universe and are composed of priceless advice that quite frankly, I would pay for. Mark however authors his blog with a passion and love for the art and science of social media and these posts are free for the world to see, if your not already reading Marks blog {grow} do your self a huge favor and subscribe today.

@Greg_Walters (Greg Walters) I consider Greg Walters to be the managed print services industry's equivalent combination of Hunter S. Thompson and Larry Flint. His blog Death Of The Copier is a notorious medium known for publishing posts dripping with uber snarky yet spot on expertise regarding the realm of MPS. Most of the images on DOTC may be considered rather tasteless by some, but despite the blogs racy photography I can't help but to view Greg as a true MPS master and I would go so far as to say he may very well be the expert when it comes to managed print services.

@RecyclerMedia (Charlotte Hindle) Charlotte is the editor of Recycler Magazine, one of two (and in my opinion) the superior global trade publication reporting about the toner and ink cartridge remanufacturing industry. Smart, focused, kind hearted and engaging, Charlotte is the epitome of professional. I highly suggest checking out Recycler Magazine and opening your mind to the earth friendly and cost saving possibilities that remanufactured toner and ink cartridges can offer to your business.

From the connections above I have enjoyed other opportunities which have catalyzed relationships with other great people who are also experts in their own right as pertaining to their respective industry.

Below I have listed these new connections in hopes to offer you the chance to also connect with these awesome human beings.

Social Media, Marketing And Or PR Pros You need To Check Out:

@ginidietrich

@lauraclick

@julianng

@suddenlyjamie

@CKsays

@jonbuscall

@TheMikeEllis

@ShellyKramer

@allthingsfadra


Managed Print Services And Or Office Imaging Pros You Need To Check Out:

@ChangeForge

@Greg_VDW

@DFWMPS

@SHendersonIA

@jflyons

@artpost

Toner And Ink Cartridge Remanufacturing Pros You Need To Check Out:

@JetScapeink

Destroy Your Printer Contest 3 Submissions

Below we will be posting all the entries that we receive for our Destroy Your Printer Contest 3.

Entry #1 Josh Post alt9design.com

Entry #2 Paula Snow Sullivan Real Estate Group

Entry #3 By Marcus Piazzo Wales Wax Works



Entry #4 Eric Morse Center Of Hope



Entry #5 Ian McIntosh MBS Fabrication



Entry #6 Jay Mitchell Great America Leasing Corporation

Destroy Your Printer Video Contest 3

I am pleased to announce Expert Laser Services Destroy Your Printer Video Contest 3!

The rules and details of the contest are as follows...

We ask that you make a creative, fun and humorous video of you and your cohorts destroying one of the following: Inkjet Printer, Laser Printer, Copier or Fax/MFP. Then upload the video to youtube and send me the url. At the end of the contest we will choose a winner and the winner will get his or her video posted here on the "Adventures in Office Imaging blog" and they will receive two FREE toner cartridges for their office copier, laser printer, or fax/mfp! In addition, this years prize will also include a $100 dollar donation to a charity of your choice! see below for full contest details, rules and regulations!

Rules and Regulations.

Contest starts February 25, 2011.

1. Contest is open to businesses and other organizations in the United States of America, large or small. Contestants may destroy Inkjet Printers, Fax/MFPs, Laser Printers or Copiers.

* We are looking for humorous and creative videos of you destroying your selected piece of office equipment from the above list of machines.

* Have fun but be careful, Expert Laser Services will not be held responsible for any injuries resulting from the making of your videos.

2. To enter the contest, create a video, upload it to youtube or a similar video service and send me the URL via e-mail

nathan.dube@expertlaserservices.com (or twitter @dubiousmonk)

3. Videos will be reviewed by myself, our CEO and several other ELS representatives.

4. The contest ends August 31, 2011.

5. The winning video will be posted here at the Adventures in Office Imaging blog ASAP.

6. The winner will receive two free toner cartridges for your offices copier, laser printer or fax/mfp. In addition this years contest will also include a $100 dollar donation to a charity of your choice!

Joy Of The Walkaround

Here at Expert Laser Services we refer to our analysis procedure as a "walkaround". We do not utilize USB keys to do an analysis other than as a last resort and almost always walk to each and every device in an organization, networked or local and gather the necessary information by hand.

For multiple reasons this kind of analysis is superior to that of those done with a USB key however In this post I will be speaking solely about the value of the walkaround in regards to developing relationships with customers.

All of the walkarouds that I have performed have been done either with the IT manager of an organization or a member of the IT department. In many of these cases these people are my first contact within said organization. It is the IT pro at any given organization that accompanies me through both stages of an analysis and is my "go to" guy or gal when I need to speak to them about products, services, software updates and etc.

What I have discovered to be the most important aspect of getting a contract signed is to develop a real, honest and organic relationship with the customer prior to meeting with them to discuss a proposal.

The walkaround is absolutely key in accomplishing this.

During the walkarounds that I have performed (which generally take multiple hours to complete) I take the time to learn not only about the organization, their goals, their clients, their needs, wants, expectations and so on and so forth but also about the individual who is taking time out of their day to walk me around their place of work.

From conversations with my own customers during a walkaround topics discussed have included not only their monthly print volumes and what kind of devices their fleet contains but also more personal topics such as their opinions and perspectives on

● Music

● Food

● Art

● History

● Hobbies

● Spirituality

● World Events

These are just a sample of some of the topics discussed in the conversations I have enjoyed with my customers during the walkaround.

Now these conversations may seem trivial to some however I cannot stress enough the importance of the bonds created during these times. Conversations which include not only the necessary MPS talk track dynamics but also these more organic elements of human interaction will lead to a much more robust relationship with your customer before you even schedule that meeting to discuss your proposal.

In closing I would say there has been a real element of enjoyment in all of the walkarounds I have done. They have been catalysts to meet new people and to learn not only about the needs of prospective customers but also to forge new relationships with other human beings. Some of these conversations have lead to opportunities to learn new things about my self and have spurred curiosities about things that I would not have discovered otherwise.

TCO And The Human Footprint

It is an age old question...

Which is better, centralized copiers versus local printers?

We here at Expert Laser Services support both kinds of devices, we do not go into this discussion with a strong bias.

The honest answer is “IT DEPENDS”. The fact is that copiers and printers can have exactly the same “cost per print” if the right device is selected for the application. Typically, copiers cost more and are leased while printers cost less and are purchased or leased at a lower cost. Total-Cost-of-Ownership (TCO) is the real figure that you want to know. TCO takes into account the monthly lease payment, the cost per print and any and all supplies, parts, and service charges that are added.

There is one additional major issue.... The Human Footprint...

IF employees who do a lot of printing are required to walk distances to retrieve their prints, the cost of that time far exceeds any savings that may or may not exist on Cost-of-Ownership. When employee labor is included, there are few scenarios where centralized printing is cost-effective. But, there certainly are times when it is.