Proficiency Profile

Super Supplies
Network support

The high-service, low-cost-to

-serve, IT services wholesaler

17 May’13
We attended ITEX, the IT managed services conference in Las Vegas last month. We met with the enthusiastic Supplies Network management team exhibiting at the show and profile the company’s leaders: Sean Fleming (CEO) and marketing chief Bill Erpelding... Sunday

Read more: Proficiency Profile: Supplies Network

Who are the

Most audacious
independents?

The scrappiest, smartest
and most disruptive resellers

16 May’13
Inc. the magazine for growing companies published a list of the 'The Audacious 25’ in its May edition. We take a look at candidates for the Top 10 in the ‘personal productivity services’ marketplace…later today

Read more: The Most Audacious Independents

Proficiency Profile

Give Something

Back's gears up!

Progress report on a unique

productivity services reseller

12 May’13 (complete)

Recently, we visited Give Something Back’s offices in Oakland (CA) for the 3rd time and met with CEO Sean Marx and his new marketing chief Sharon Kinkade (pic left). Expect the investment in new software and marketing to boost future growth…

Read more: Proficiency Profile - Give Something Back

Is this the

Most progressive
reseller on planet?

UK’s #1 business services group 

Commercial, has powerful claims

6 May’13 (Complete)
Commercial Group of Cheltenham (UK) has been a pioneer of sustainable business practices since 2006. Based on our worldwide experience of progressive resellers we reckon its relentless drive into IT business services positions Commercial well ahead of its US peers…

Read more: Commercial: The most progressive reseller on the planet?

Proficiency Profile

Designing offices
to inspire harmony

Steelcase’s Workspace Futures'

Donna Flynn on collaboration

30 Apr’13
Human nature changes slowly, but the way we work and the idea of the ‘office’, changes fast. Here’s how to harness those opposing forces for a happier workforce…

Read more: Proficiency Profile - Steelcase's Donna Flynn, Workspace Futures

Proficiency Profile

Blazing a trail
to $20m by 2020

Blaisdell’s: A family business
fired up and ready to roll

29 Apr’13 (Updated)
Last Monday we visited the offices of stockless San Leandro reseller Blaisdell’s. Under magnetic Margee Witt’s leadership the company has grown 20% in the last year and well on its way to reaching $20m in sales by 2020. Tomorrow

Read more: Proficiency Profile: Blaisdell's

Independent’s

furniture drive

US economic recovery fuels

the office renewal process

10 Apr'13 (Updated)

The industry wide revival has been driven by innovation and productivity. The Post-OP era is nigh, but opportunities have emerged in refreshments, hygiene and ergonomic workspaces. We spoke with IS Group’s SVP Charles Forman about its refreshed furniture offering...completed by Friday

Read more: IS Group's furniture drive

User Friendly
market moves

OFDA group leader’s plans
to drive sustainability agenda


9 Apri'13 (Complete)
Office Friendly, is the UK’s most enterprising dealer group, with a spirit and determination to create a truly marketing driven agenda for its members. We spoke to dynamic leader Steve Harrop about his plans and key differentials...

Read more: Office Friendly's market moves

Scintillating sales from

Sales force

investment

JKL Solutions: the rising
star in UK mid-market

27 Mar'13
JKL Solutions was formed just 4 years ago by ex-PADS director Nick Miles and top sales guy Nathan Rice. Investment in 5 new sales people puts the UK reseller on course to achieve £5m sales in their 5th year...completed tomorrow, sorry

Read more: Proficiency Profile - JKL Solutions

N e c t e r e  new
or nearly model?

Can dealer groups’ demise be
rescued by fresh services plan?

4 Mar'13 (Complete)

Most dealer groups focus on reducing cost-of-products. Nectere led by UK industry veteran Paul Musgrove believes he can provide services that reduce cost-to-serve and provide added value. Can it succeed? We spoke with marketing chief David Kowal...

Read more: Proficiency Profile - Nectere dealer services group

Innovative
superlative!

Leading US progressive passes
$50m sales 3X growth in 4 years

3 Feb'13 (Updated)

Innovative Office Solutions, based in Minneapolis (MN) is the leading progressive OPS reseller in the US. On Monday, the Innovative team celebrated its progress. We spoke to CEO Jennifer Smith about its incredible growth and inspirational plans to achieve $100m by 2020. Tomorrow...

Read more: Proficiency Profile - Innovative Office Solutions

Inside Staples
Velocity Lab

#1 reseller m-powering growth

through ecommerce innovation

30 Jan’13

We met with Staples CEO Ron Sargent recently and have never seen him so relaxed after ‘grasping the nettle’ on the European transformation. Everything now points to positive progress. We visited its Velocity Lab in Cambridge (MA) today to witness a great example of his optimism.

Read more: Proficiency Profiles: Inside Staples Velocity Ecommerce Lab

S u p e r s o n i c
Samsung  s o a r s

Galaxy S111 phone: ‘The
next big thing is already here’

24 Jan’13

Samsung is trampling rivals and gunning for Apple in the smartphone/tablet market. Can its hot streak last?

Read more: Proficiency Profile - Samsung

W i n n i n g
Game On!

Progressive UK reseller
invests in Radio/TV ads

5 Dec’12

WG Office Supplies of Crayford (UK) is on a roll. Its new radio and TV ad campaigns with UK leading media channels are bringing outstanding results…tomorrow

Read more: Proficiency Profile - WG Office

Proficiency Profile

T a n g e r i n e
d r e a m  w o r k s!

Edy Seaver, the vivacious.
virtual Vegas reseller.

2 Dec’12 (Complete)

At United’s Vision’12 excellent conference last month we met for the first time, Tangerine Office Systems, the leading independent reseller in Vegas. We sat down with owner Edy Seaver, to discuss progress and plans

Read more: Proficiency Profile - Tangerine Office Systems

D e a n s  of
D i s r u p t i o n

Amazon’s Bezos, Mason's

Meehan; the ultimate disruptors

2 Dec'12 (Complete)

In the current issue of Fortune magazine, Adam Lashinsky writes about the biggest threat to independent dealers in the OP marketplace. We highlight the relevant sections and nominate the OPS disruptor for 2012…

Read more: Deans of disruption - Amazon's Bezos; Mason's Meehan

Proficiency Profile

Dochelli’s doctrine

United sales chief details drive to
engage dealers’ user obsession

22 Nov’12 (Complete)

United Stationers’ Vision 2012 conference was one of its best! It was fast paced and super-relevant with excellent speakers from inside and outside the company. We met with new sales chief Harry Dochelli after his debut presentation about activating dealers’ user-obsession…

Read more: Proficiency Profile: United's VP sales Harry Dochelli

Proficiency Profile

Hummel’s head
for the heights

New IS Group chairman
lays out 5 year growth plan

1 Nov’12

We discuss with gentle giant Harrison Hummel, chief operating officer of Hummel’s Office Plus, based in Mohawk (NY) new developments at Hummel’s and marketing group Independent Stationers. Profile tomorrow, sorry

Read more: Proficiency Post - Hummel's OP

Proficiency Profile

Jansan jump
starts Sayes

Specialist + United partnership
boost its ‘get it all’ proposition

27 Sep’12 (Complete)

Last week we met Kenny Sayes, the retiring chairman of IS Group, and discussed the growth success story of his Louisiana dealership, Sayes Office…

Read more: Proficiency Profile - Sayes Office

Leader lifting a
leaner Logitech

New blockbuster wireless
accessories in the pipeline

10 Sep’12

Wall Street Journal’s John Revel interviewed Logitech’s new president Bracken Darrell about his plans turnaround the innovative #1 computer accessories maker.

Read more: Leader lifting a leaner Logitech