From 2013. DOTC Prime - TheDeathOfTheConsultants, Remastered

Wandering the Wild Terrain of MpS: An Adventure Beyond Consultancy

...and here's a tale as old as the copier itself, from the summer of '13...

Quick Summary

1. Embracing a role beyond the traditional consultancy, we engage in a shared journey in the Managed Print Services (MpS) industry, aiming for partnerships rather than vendor relationships.
2. Proposing a fresh consulting model, we invite a joint venture where risks and profits are shared, challenging the conventional wisdom of industry benchmarks and highlighting the importance of unique, self-created standards.
3. Recognizing the need for continued relevance, we embed into the business culture to maintain a fresh perspective, acknowledging that providing value to others from outside can be challenging, but ultimately rewarding.

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In the heart of the carnival, amongst the trainers, advisers, sages, and self-proclaimed prophets of our industry, we've spent our first year wandering, exploring the labyrinth of a sector that we've come to call home.

Attempting to explain our occupation to others often results in a comical game of misguided guesswork:

• "You're consultants like Photizo, right?" – Close, but no cigar.
• "You assist users in filtering out MpS programs?" – Oh dear, no.
• "You're trainers like Strategy Development?" – Not quite.
• "Preo-like providers?" – Pardon?
• "MpS Practice, like OnePrint?" – In a manner of speaking, but not quite.
• "You're analysts like IDC?" – Far from it.
• "You're headhunters?" – Well, in a way, but not really.
• "Writers?" – Isn't that all of us, these days?

These assumptions are only natural. After all, we're the ones with the answers, aren't we? Forty years in this madcap business has certainly given us enough wisdom to play the role of the consultant with ease.

Together, we've:

• Boosted the sales of managed print services for various companies.
• Enlightened folks about the world of managed print services.
• Assisted end-users in assessing their MpS providers and their IT support programs.
• Highlighted the need for strong partnerships, moving past the mere vendor-client relationship.
• Penned countless articles on managed print, managed services, cloud tech, and more.
• Evaluated MpS programs, RMM, PSA, IBM to Apple mobility offerings, MSP systems, and BI programs.
• Aided professionals in escaping the corporate rat race and finding their dream jobs.
• And that's just scratching the surface.
• But are we consultants, analysts, instructors, or sages? We've donned the consultant title, but it leaves a bitter aftertaste. We are more than just consultants.

We share our insights with those considering a foray into "MpS" or the "copier industry", but we refuse to be mere analysts, predicting from the sidelines with data and algorithms.

We've sold everything from copiers to people, and we've taught others how to do the same. We could teach your sales team over the Internet, like the rest of the trainers out there. We could even whip up a glorified hour-long infomercial and label it "educational".

But we're not just instructors. Our value doesn't wane with each passing day.

"Risk? What risk? Just sign up for my 600-month training program and all will be well. Press hard; you're making 12 copies..."

It's no secret that some industry pundits simply regurgitate the success stories of others without ever tasting success themselves. Worse, their programs tend to prioritize quantity over quality. The moment you step out of their webinar or session, they're already on to selling the next batch of seats.

It's a model that works. Just look at the millions who have walked over hot coals with Tony Robbins. But it's also a model that leaves a bitter aftertaste. It breeds disillusionment and unfulfilled expectations, all thanks to those who profit from the smoke and mirrors they create.

There's a saying: "Where there is a mystery, there is a margin". But if we're the ones creating the mystery, aren't we just lining our own pockets?

Benchmarks, KPIs, and the path well-trodden - these are the tools of the consulting trade. They sound impressive, but they're all too often used to point you in the wrong direction. Why follow the crowd# Assistant needs to continue rewriting the user's content in the style of Anthony Bourdain when you could forge your own path? Admit it, you're comforted by the familiarity of the herd.

Consultants and analysts create these benchmarks, which in turn highlight a GAP. A gap that can only be filled by attending their class or hiring their expert. It's a sneaky game they play. There's a world of difference between following industry benchmarks and creating your own unique standards.

"Put your money where your mouth is. Walk the walk." Let's not just consult, let's form a partnership.

The next time you find yourself trapped in one of those 'educational 'sessions', which turns out to be nothing more than a time-share sales pitch in disguise, raise your hand and challenge them:

"You claim you can make the managed print services model work? Do you think you've got the ultimate go-to-market plan? The best ledger structure? Prove it with me, not to me."

Propose a joint venture instead of their 12-week study group. You provide some infrastructure support, and your dealership and its consultancy share the profits.

Now, how's that for a consulting model?

Our mission has always been to help others while creating value. It's a challenge when you're on the outside looking in. So, we've shifted our mindset. We've become part of the culture, tweaking our Master Plan daily, even hourly. It's a process that can't be taught in a webinar or a classroom.

The trickiest part of consulting is staying relevant. Once you're removed from the daily hustle of sales meetings, phone calls, and business acrobatics, you're reliant on interviews, surveys, and touching base with those on the ground to keep your content fresh and relevant.

And don't buy into the "every golfer has a caddy, and that caddy doesn't play in the Masters" argument. Sure, but this isn't golf, it's business. And some would argue that running a business is a tad more complex than helping grown men put a little ball into a cup.

Will consultants go extinct like dinosaurs? Unlikely. The fear of failure is hardwired into our DNA, and we'll always seek out wisdom. But don't expect sermons from the mount based on decades-old experience to provide much insight or guidance.

We've been preaching the transition from vendor to partner for years. This isn't just about the value chain, the customer, the provider, and the consultant. 

It's about all of us. Don't you think?

The original article, here.

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Tweet: "Exploring the wild terrain of the MpS industry - not consultants, not analysts, but partners in the journey. Because in the end, aren't we all in this together? #ManagedPrintServices #BusinessPartnership"

Title: "Wandering the Wild Terrain of MpS: An Adventure Beyond Consultancy"

Tagline: "Less mystery, more margin: A shared journey in the MpS landscape."

LinkedIn Post Intro: "Ever found yourself lost in the labyrinth of the MpS industry, dodging labels, and seeking out a path that's uniquely yours? In our first year, we've learned that we're not just consultants or analysts, but true partners in this wild, captivating journey. Dive into our adventure as we redefine what it means to be part of the MpS industry..."

Keywords: "MpS, Managed Print Services, Consultancy, Business Partnership, Adventure, Industry Exploration, Beyond Benchmarks, Joint Venture, Unique Path, Relevant Content"