Finally, We're All In Managed Print Services - Now What? "The MPS Immortals", that's What.

First things first.

I am tough on OEMs, I come down on copier reps.

I point out the glaringly stupid MPS training guffaws.

The cold-calling newbs and their trainers are easy victims - idiot sales managers worthy of the Wrath.

Short sighted sales schleps and their equally plebeian masters; drill and fill toner pirates lost in hubris, all get what they deserve. As much as I dislike the current belief that MPS is simply S1/S2, at least it's in the flow, part of the plan.

But - and there is always a "but" - no matter what the motives, however they got here, all of us are part of the MPS Ecosystem.

For better or for worse, we are all in.

Now what? Now that we're all in, what can we do?  What should we do?

Build MPS Systems like the Immortals would, that's what.

I'm talking inspiration from three immortals: Leonardo, Raphael and Michelangelo.  Not the Ninja Turtles, the other ones.

"I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do."

~ Leonardo da Vinci

Like Leo says, knowing MPS is not enough; we must apply.

Learning how to analyze survey data and document flow isn't enough, we must DO. We must apply what we learned from our last engagement, to the next engagement. We must take the weaknesses we see in one organization and be on guard at the next.  We must act and act with urgency.


"When one is painting one does not think."

~Raphael

Go with the flow.

Document and Workflow that is.  Dive in, don't fight, don't solve, attract.   Simply be. When you're in it, you'll see the entire process, you'll catch every intricate detail - naturally.


"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."

~Michelangelo

The best for last.  Selling is about placing something where once there was nothing.

Even if that prospect has been engaged with HP for sixteen decades of MPS, they've never been with you.

To you, they are a chunk of marble.  To you, it is all potential, nowhere to go but up.

Chip away.