HELP!!!!!

7 replies [Last post]
Blackfish
Offline
Joined: 19/03/2007

Ok this isnt easy to admit but I have a very critical problem which given my experience should be easy for me to solve but I think Im too close to this to solve it.

I really need your help, so please comment your thoughts no matter what they are.

My background is that I have spent nearly 20 years in the Photocopier and Laser Printer Industrys

I have worked within Direct Business to Business sales for all this time working with customers of every possible size from the smallest with one copier right upto Multi National / Global Companies.

Im an extremely highly trained salesperson if there was an MBA in selling Id have it.

I have spent all this time showing companies how to save money and become more efficient in their use of Photocopiers and Laser Printers and Ink Jet Printers. I have then used these savings to justify them spending often very large sums of money on new equipment (Which I then got paid commission on)

When I first started using this approach some 10 years ago very few people in the Photocopier and IT world did this and it was easy to be different and make lots of sales.

The problem is that now everyone does this to the extent that HP are in the process of recruiting 2300 consultants in the states to make this spproach to their customer base.

So whats the difference and what am I trying to do?

Well if you where a company with a number of copying / printing devices where would you go to get advise on how to create a strategy to control and manage these devices?
This part of your business can actually account for between 1-3 % of your Revenues! SO its actually a large saving potentially.

Even more simply where can I go to get advise on whats the best solution for my business?

The answer to these 2 questions currently is that the only people you can go to are either

The very people selling you the hardware who offer to do it for free often!

There a a very small number of companies that provide this service but they all are either owned by a Hardware supplier or have business relationships / alliances with Hardware suppliers!!

There is noone that can give an impartial unbiased view.

Thats where Blackfish comes in

I wish to offer this expertise and not only that but due to the fact that I understand the industries involved I can guide organisations through this minefield to ensure they get the right solution for them and that large protions of the saving then should be enjoying arnt being used to pay for devices that actually arnt needed.

I even understand the pricing structures of all the japanese Copier companies!!

I can ensure they dont get tied into lease contracts that cripple them or handcuff them.

I can ensure that their SLAs (Service level agreements) with their service providers are meeting their requirements and tight enough to ensure they get the service they need.

Every single time I come up with something its just too long or it doesnt show clearly my USP.

Blackfish is Unique (Currently)
My problem is this.

I cant seem to find a way to put over to potential customers in a simple easy to understand way which differentiates me from the rest of the Industry.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I have sent my attempts to previous customers and every time they come back and say no that doesnt tell them whats unique about you.

steveparks (not verified)
Pitch idea

Hi Blackfish

I've been enjoying reading your pilot's logs! Here's my suggestion for your pitch:

=========
Blackfish - The Independent Technical Purchasing Consultancy

Modern businesses depend on technology to provide them with a competitive advantage - and even to stay in business at all. This is particularly true of technical business equipment such as printers and copiers that handle every letter sent to your clients, that your staff depend on every day, and that can be a major cost in the business.

The pace of change, range of developments, and complex jargon in this technology make it impossible for in-house staff to be in a position to make the right judgements when it comes to selecting a vendor, a model, a maintenance contract and even consumables. This means substantial sums of money are wasted on over-specified equipment - or the technology isn't up to the job, causing productivity problems.

Often the vendors of this technology offer to provide a 'consultant' for free - but you can guess whose system they are going to recommend, and that it won't be the cheapest model in the range!

People have learned to depend on fee based Independent Financial Advisers in the financial services industry, because mis-selling by the vendors own adivsers gave customers a poor deal. Now, smart companies are demanding the same independence from consultants when it comes to the similarly complex process of specifying and purchasing technical business equipment.

Blackfish is an independent techincal purchasing consultancy. We are not tied to any vendor. We are paid by a fee from you rather than commission from the vendor - so have no conflict of interest to finding you the cheapest deal. We have 20 years' experience of technical business equipment, and we're at your service.

By using Blackfish to advise you on technology purchases you will get better prices, avoid being tied into unfair long term contracts, benefit from improved reliability of your equipment, benefit from lower running costs - and get less of a headache from pages of technical data. We can also improve the environmental impact of your equipment - saving you paper and power, as well as the planet.

You will save money, time and stress by asking us to help you with your business equipment.

Blackfish - The Independent Technical Purchasing Consultancy

=========

Steve Parks
Pilot, FlyingStartUps.com

Harryrsmith
Offline
Joined: 01/04/2007
You are the USP

Hello

Steve Parks says it all. I read your plea for help on Thursday evening and thought about it today. Forgive me if I am way off the mark, you are consulting on a 'me too product'. Now that could create a difficulty in finding a USP to go with a service for a 'me too product'. I feel that you are the USP and that you could do what Victor Kiam did with Remington, I was so impressed I bought the company, now if the Remington does not shave as close as a blade, I will give you your money back. Why not try this to your no's, the ones who won't listen to you? If you don't save time and get a better system with my advice then I will give you your money back.

Kind regards

Harry R Smith

Harry R Smith

Blackfish
Offline
Joined: 19/03/2007
Thankyou

Thanks for your advise I am begining to realise that my USP is actually me or more accurately my knowledge and understanding.

Steve your letter looks great and I think I will try it maybe a few small tweaks but I really like your angle and the comparison you use.

I have to say Steve this website is great, I tend to use the pilots log as much as a release on the frustrations. I seem to go through periods when everything seems to go nowhere without much progress then I start to work out answers taking advise qulifying it against others advise, the result is often a deaper understanding which uncovers areas I need to consider and put thought into and find answers too.

I believe Im now at a point with a few alterations to my Business plan to incorporate I am ready to get onto the runway and get this fish into the air.

Thanks for the commenst and the support and ideas from the community on this site is of real value.

Harryrsmith
Offline
Joined: 01/04/2007
Good Luck

Dear James

Thank you for your respose. If I can be of any help then I would be more than happy.

Enjoy the journey

Kind regards

Harry R Smith

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