MMMagic returns

The mini innovations that
matter to mighty 3M

24 Sep 10
3M is everywhere. That's the point George Buckley, CEO of 3M, is trying to make as he talks about his favorite subject, inventing things. Last year, he says, "even in the worst economic times in memory, we released over 1,000 new products."

Read more: 3M magic returns

Proficiency Profile

Wist drive in Arizona

Brothers committed to high touch services in the local community

23 Sep 10

Wist Office Products Company of Tempe, near Phoenix, is #1 in Arizona in size and customer service with all the high class attributes to dominate the marketplace.

Read more: Proficiency Profile - Wist drive in Arizona

AHI tuned up for
Texas takeaway

Inside story on how new $50m
mini-group defeated Depot

30 Aug 10 (Complete)
Last Tuesday, we met with Mark Nolan the dynamic chief of Nolans Office Products based in San Antonio; and leader of the AHI Enterprises which has just won the much prized $30m Texas office supply contract….

Read more: AHI win Texas State contract

Proficiency Profile

Clarity gives

UKOD the lead

New membership approach
the key to etailing success

24 Aug 10
We’ve only spoken on the telephone to Mike Griffin, the founder of UK Office Direct a few times, but we feel we understand what has made this fast rising etailer one of the best rated in the OP world….

Read more: Proficiency Profile - UK Office Direct

Xerox Burns
pathway to
the future

Driving office productivity with
document management services

6 Aug 10
Talk about bold. Just weeks after taking over as Xerox's CEO last July, Ursula Burns announced the biggest deal in the company's history: the $6.4 billion acquisition of Affiliated Computer Services, an outsourcing firm most people had never heard of. Xerox needed dramatic action….

Read more: Xerox CEO Ursula Burns interview

Warden’s keep 
clear sales focus

New isgroup chairman riding
out the California crunch

29 Jul 10

Chris Peterson, is VP supplies division at Warden’s Office Supplies the leading office supply specialist in the Central Valley of California. We met Chris at the is.group June conference in Denver, just after he made his opening address as the new chairman. His resounding message to the resurgent group was sales! sales! sales! We discuss his plans...

Read more: Proficiency Profile - Warden's of California

Breakthrough Marketing Award

DGOS hits

Old Trafford

City man motivated to
be OP king in Manchester

26 Jul 10 (Completed1700 GMT;1200ET)

Darren Carr, the CEO of DG Office Supplies has just moved offices to Old Trafford, a stone’s throw away from Man United’s Theatre of Dreams stadium. Ironically, dynamo Darren is a Man City fan with his own dream of becoming the top Manchester merchant of business services...

Read more: DGOS hits Old Trafford

Breakthrough Marketing Award

Penketh’s pride
and progress

Karen Abel wins marketing
award for the second time

23 Jul 10 (Completed 1800 GMT; 1300 ET)
Penketh’s of Liverpool, is one of the UK’s most progressive model resellers. They like many other specialists took a recessionary hit in furniture demand, but have invested in emarketing to drive its wider business supplies portfolio.

We visited CEO Mark Penketh and his impressive marketing manager yesterday...mini-profile follows later today

Read more: Penketh's pride and progress

ingenuity works!

Fastest growing reseller on
the planet parties like its 1999

26 Jun 10
Yesterday, in a creatively decorated warehouse in Minneapolis, the home city of legendary R&B funk artist, Prince, Innovative Office Solutions, held its 9^th birthday party and celebrated its success in doubling sales over the past 2 years...

Read more: Innovative profile: ingenuity works!

Proficiency Profile

Reporter’s

BIG story

Montana dealer mounts

major marketing drive

13 Jun 10 (Completed)

Last Thursday we interviewed the outgoing chairman of is.group (isg), the gentle giant Craig Bartholomew, one of the owners of Montana dealer Reporter Big Sky.

This progressive dealer has grown during tough market conditions and now with Craig’s renewed focus is planning some smart services moves to drive future growth...

Read more: Proficiency Profile - Reporters' BIG story

The One Source services street

Will Managed Print contracts dominate the IT supplies market?

19 Mar 10

We’ve profiled some really progressive dealers in the past few months and we continue in 2010 with another example of a productivity services provider with a clear customer driven focus and a relentless measurement ethic.

Read more: Proficiency Profile - Source Office Products, Denver, CO

* Proficiency Index * Best Awards 2009 *

Review of 2009 Pt.1 The Best Perfomers

Best Leaders - Best Companies - Best Products - Best Webstore - Best Promos - Best Productivity - Best Ads

1 Jan ‘10 (Updated 2300UK; 1800 ET)

2009 was a grind…a reality check…a tough time. When the going got tough, the tough got going. The best shone through the gloom and inspired

Progressive dealers recognise that when times get tight, it's time to fight with the productivity play and reinforce the single source proposition. Certainly, a great platform was created in 2007 which has been maintained throughout 2009.

It's time for reflection on the key marketing people, companies, products, promotions, ads and marketing developments of the year.

Read more: Proficiency Index - Review of 2009 Best Performers - Part 1

Proficiency Profile

Lonesource on top course

Latest acquisition accelerates growth focus towards $100m

23 Dec 09

Earlier this month the brilliantly named North Carolina based dealer Lonesource acquired NOI Supply the £12m in sales supplies division of Nashville Office Interiors.

We spoke with dynamic Lonesource chiefs Bradley and Stacey King about the acquisition and afterwards they gave a full insight into their management focus and future plans to reach $100m in sales

Read more: Proficiency Profile - Lonesource - Cary, NC

Right here…

Write Now!

The fastest growing dealer on the planet…from zero to hero in 2 short years. Here’s how…

16 Dec 09
Kevin McGirl, the chief at Sales-I the burgeoning CRM software company said you must speak to Derek Hartsfield, the CEO of Write Now! of Dallas…”He’s the fastest growing dealer in the US”.

So we did and now we’re profiling him. Don’t miss this amazing success story of how to go to market in recessionary times…

Read more: Proficiency Profile - Write Now! of Dallas

Exclusive interview with Kings

Lonesource

on top course

NOI Supply acquisition accelerates growth plans

8 Dec 09

Last week the brilliantly named North Carolina Lonesource acquired NOI Supply the £12m in sales supplies division of Nashville Office Interiors. dealer

We spoke with dynamic Lonesource chiefs Brad and Stacey King about the acquisition and their future plans to reach $100m in sales.

Read more: Lonesource on top course

Proficiency Profile

Preferred course

of positive action

Interview with Mike Miller… son of a legend, building another growth machine

14 Jul 09

The Miller family from Dallas, Texas is legendary in the OP industry. Big Jim Miller was the original Mr. Enthusiasm who toured the OP world in the NOPA heydays of the 1980’s spreading positive words about independent dealer success.

When the house the Miller’s built, the $130m in sales, Miller Business Systems succumbed to big box pressure in the early 90’s it was his son Mike Miller that powered to the forefront with growth and efficient execution his forte. What happened after that and what is happening now?

Read on for a great lesson in how to prepare your dealership for growth in tough times.

Read more: Proficiency Profile Preferred course of positive action Interview with Mike Miller… son of a legend, building another growth machine