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MARCH 2011
NEWSLETTER
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With nearly 30 years of experience working for the document imaging industry, Copier Careers is the only recruiter with the resources to find what your dealership needs most: experienced technicians, copier sales representatives, managers, controllers, dispatchers, support staff, and managed print services experts. Our database of qualified copier professionals is the biggest in the business (49,000 strong and growing!), and we're dedicated to helping our clients and our candidates make the best matches possible. Whatever you're looking for, Copier Careers can help you find it. Learn more at
www.copiercareers.com or call (888) 733-4868 to talk to one of our recruiters.
Copier Careers 2010 Salary Surveys still available! Read them all online at
http://copiercareers.com/salary_surveys.shtml |
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IN THIS ISSUE:
The Feed
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Non-compete agreements: what employers need to know
The Top 7
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Things managers should never do
News In Brief
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Announcements from Copier Careers, Ricoh, Xerox, Kyocera, and Oce
Sound Off
- Our readers respond to last month's poll
Poll-of-the-Month
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Should sales reps and technicians be required to sign non-compete agreements?
Featured Job Listings
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THE FEED
Non-Compete Agreements: What Employers Need To Know
In last month’s newsletter, we introduced you to the topic of non-compete agreements and polled you to get a sense of how many copier professionals have signed one. This month, we delved deeper into the topic with some help from Gene Hoff and Mike Minenko, two Minneapolis-based attorneys practicing in the areas of business litigation, sales representative law, and employment law.
Non-compete agreements, as Hoff explains, are a diverse and complicated area of law, and the enforceability of such agreements varies from state to state. "There’s no cookie-cutter answer to issues related to non-competes.”
Nevertheless, there are a few things employers can do to make their agreements more enforceable. The first, Hoff says, is that in general the agreements should be reasonable in scope and duration, and any prohibitions on competition should be in compliance with the state law that applies to the agreement.
It’s also beneficial for the employer to be selective about whom they ask to sign non-compete agreements.
Minenko says, “Employers put themselves in a better position with the judge if they can demonstrate that they don’t ask every employee to sign a non-compete, but rather only those employees who truly have an impact on their legitimate business interests.” Typically, that includes employees who establish close relationships with customers (such as sales reps), employees involved in research and development activities (such as engineers working for copier manufacturers), and employees involved in creating business or pricing strategies (such as sales managers or controllers).
Timing is also key. Minenko advises employers to make sure employees know before they’re hired that they’ll be asked to sign a non-compete agreement, because “it immediately establishes the importance of the non-compete clause as a term of the overall employment relationship.”
Gene Hoff and Mike Minenko practice commercial and employment law in Minnesota. Learn more at www.minenkohoff.com.
This article should not be construed as providing legal advice. Anyone who has any legal issue regarding the topic of this article should retain an attorney who practices in this area.
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THE TOP 7...
Things Managers Should Never Do
Tips from the
trenches to keep your copier career on track
In the copier industry, most people don’t set out to be managers — they start at the bottom as sales reps or service techs and rise through the corporate ranks until they find themselves managing other people. As most of them will discover, managing effectively isn’t as easy as it looks. A few suggestions for inexperienced managers:
- Don’t assume people understand why you make the decisions you make. Your employees don’t attend the meetings you attend. They’re not privy to the same memos, they’re not poring over the same how-to-succeed-in-business books, and they’re no more capable of reading your thoughts than you are of reading theirs. In short, there’s an information gap that occurs every time you make a decision, launch a new strategy, or implement a new policy or procedure. So explain yourself, and avoid the backlash.
- Don’t blame upper management when things go wrong. Being a manager means that sometimes you have to take one for the team. Your employees need to know that the buck stops somewhere; it might as well be with you.
- Don’t play favorites. And don’t say you won’t have favorites, because you will. It’s human nature to like some people better than others. But don’t let your friendships get in the way of effective management. Treat everyone as fairly and equally as possible, and you’ll build a stronger and more cohesive team.
- Don’t criticize people in public. As a manager, a huge part of your job will be to identify the areas in which your employees need improvement. But don’t call your people out on their weaknesses and mistakes in front of other employees. It’s embarrassing for everyone, and is unlikely to lead to improvement.
- Don’t forget to say thanks. A good rule of thumb is, “criticize privately, and praise publicly.” When your employees are doing things right, let them know you noticed.
- Don’t speak negatively about anyone in front of your employees. As a manager, you’ll often be frustrated by upper management or by your colleagues and employees. But don’t mention it to any of the people you manage — it’s bad for the organization, and it makes you look like a whiner instead of like a leader.
- Don’t ever stop recruiting. As a manager, your performance is entirely dependent on how well your people perform. Hire more qualified people, and you make your own job easier. At Copier Careers, we’re dedicated to helping dealerships find the most qualified technicians, copier sales representatives, managers, controllers, dispatchers, support staff, and managed print services experts. Learn more at www.copiercareers.com, or call us today at 888.733.4868 to ask about Adaptive Retainer Recruiting ®, the solution to all of your ongoing staffing needs.
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NEWS IN BRIEF
All Three 2010 Copier Careers Salary Surveys Still Available Online!
Check them out at http://copiercareers.com/salary_surveys.shtml. While you’re there, make sure to take part in our 2011 survey, too: http://copiercareers.com/salary_survey/salarysurveys_form.shtml.
Ricoh Accelerates Business Shift with Global Managed Document Services Expansion.
To accelerate its shift to a services business model, Ricoh plans to invest $300 million over three years in its global Managed Document Services (MDS) infrastructure. “Ricoh recognizes that global workforce trends, new technologies, and the economy are transforming the way our customers must approach document management. It is now a key priority for CIOs to ensure their organizations are ready to meet the challenges brought by these forces," said Mr. Shiro Kondo, President and CEO, Ricoh Company, Ltd. "Therefore, we are making additional investments to help lead our customers in the implementation of secure information infrastructure solutions that help them to become more agile, responsive and productive. Through our on-site and off-site support, we help our customers stay focused on revenue-generating activities, while we do what we do best — optimize workflows."
Xerox’s Espresso Book Machine Ready To Ship.
U.S. bookstores, libraries, universities, and other retail outlets can now purchase or lease the Espresso Book Machine. The print-on-demand device can produce a book in minutes, and is powered by the Xerox 4112 Copier/Printer, which can quickly print, bind, and trim bookstore-quality paperbacks with color covers. Developed by On Demand Books, the print-at-retail model includes the EspressNet software system, which connects the machine to a vast repository of content, allowing consumers to print millions of copyrighted, public-domain, and self-published books on demand.
Kyocera Introduces Two New TASKalfa Color Products.
After launching the black-and-white TASKalfa 305/255 last month, Kyocera Mita has now introduced two new color counterparts, the TASKalfa 255c and TASKalfa 205c Color MFP. The TASKalfa 255c/205c give businesses the core features and functionality of an A3 MFP, with the configuration and price point of an A4 MFP-based platform. Designed with Kyocera’s long-life technology, including the company’s organic photoconductor drums, these new color MFPs aim to deliver maximum business uptime with no sacrifice to color image quality or performance.
IAOP Names Oce to the Select Leaders Category of the 2011 IAOP Global Outsourcing 100 List.
Oce Business Services has been named to the top-ranked leaders category of the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals’ (IAOP) 2011 Global Outsourcing 100 list. The list defines the standard of excellence in outsourcing service delivery. This is the fifth straight year in which Oce has made the list. “The companies on the Global Outsourcing 100 list are proven leaders and rising stars,” said IAOP Chairman Michael F. Corbett, also chair of the judges’ panel. “They are the companies you want to partner with to achieve success and better outsourcing outcomes.”
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SOUND OFF: Our readers speak
Last month, we hit on a real hot-button issue when we polled our readers on the topic of non-compete agreements. Over three-quarters of the 1,318 people who responded say they’ve signed one — but whether they take that agreement seriously varies widely from person to person. The final poll results were as follows:
Have you signed a non-compete agreement at work?
Yes: 76% (1003 votes)
No: 8% (104 votes)
I’m not sure — I’d have to check with HR: 13% (167 votes)
I don’t care — they aren’t enforceable anyway: 3% (44 votes)
Reader comments illustrate how complicated and divisive this issue has become:
“In our industry, non-compete agreements are used more as a tool to keep good people away from competitors than as a way to protect trade secrets or client relationships. I am okay with not calling on customers you worked with at a previous employer for one year, but to try and prohibit someone from working in the industry at all is ridiculous. I have seen our company spend a ton of money suing former employees for non-compete. I have even seen upper management try to lure away competitive sales reps, verbally stating they would let them go when the competitor sued for non-compete, just to get them out of the field.”
“Just move 300 miles away.”
“One of the qualities I bring to the plate is that I have never solicited an employer’s client after leaving, whether I signed a non-compete agreement or not.”
“I did sign an agreement that says I will not reveal confidential information in regards to pricing, deal structure, profit, or various other information, but in no place does it say I am not allowed to make contact with those accounts.”
“I live and work in California and I am not concerned about signing one because they have proved to be unenforceable [in the state of California]. Just treat your staff fairly and you will not need it. Industry knowledge is just something you pick up and they cannot take that away from you.”
“Non-competes are not worth the paper they are written on. No company can restrain sales professionals or managers from practicing their trade.”
“I signed a non-compete with my last employer, as the benefit was to receive compensation for the use of my personal vehicle. When the employer said it was no longer going to offer the compensation I had agreed to, I took it to a lawyer who said the contract was null and void because the employer had breached the terms of our written agreement. The lawyer also pointed out a couple other flaws in the agreement that would have made it almost impossible to enforce. Read those agreements well and understand what you are getting into.”
“I don’t like it, but I get it. I would do the same if I owned the company.”
“People have come and gone here and taken their account lists with them. Some phantom in the General Counsel’s office at corporate sends them letter after letter, but it goes nowhere. These things either have no teeth, or companies just don’t have the persistence to go after them. I assume it is the latter.”
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POLL OF THE MONTH
Should sales reps and technicians be required to sign non-compete agreements?
1. Yes, both sales reps and techs should be required to sign non-competes
2. Yes — but only sales reps, not techs
3. Yes — but only techs, not sales reps
4. No, neither sales reps nor technicians should be required to sign non-competes
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JOB LISTINGS
Our Industry is evolving again and only Copier Careers represents top employers on a retained basis. Your career path can have new, exciting and profitable options. Contact Copier Careers to find out about exclusive career opportunities across the country. These positions are not advertised anywhere. You may be surprised to learn about the opportunities that are currently available. 
Selling Sales Manager - Western, IA and SD 
Experienced selling sales manager to lead team of individuals for a branch location of an independent dealer.
Account Executive - AL
Energetic Sales Professional with proven track record of success needed throughout different parts of Alabama.
Inside Sales Rep - Los Angeles, CA
Inside Sales Professional to build team of individuals who are customer oriented professionals. Candidate will be working directly with dealers around the area to obtain and build relationships in the industry.
Account Executive - Los Angeles, CA
Energetic Sales Professional needed for the LA and Orange County area.
MPS Account Executive - Los Angeles, CA
Management Print Solutions Sales Consultant to manage Sales professionals bringing them to the next level of the copier industry. Will need 3-5 years of MPS proof with prior company.
Technician - Los Angeles, CA
Technician needed in the LA and Orange County area. Experience with networking and knowledge of Panasonic is a must.
Technician - Northern CA
Technician needed in the Eureka, CA area to work in an onsite location. Candidate must have strong customer service skills as this will be a large part of the potion when working directly with the customer on site. Candidate must also have proficient knowledge of HP line including: 4250/4000/2015/3005.
Technician - Santa Rosa, CA
Technician needed in the Santa Rosa, CA area to work in an onsite location. Candidate must have strong customer service skills as this will be a large part of the potion when working directly with the customer on site. Candidate must also have proficient knowledge of HP line including: 4250/4000/2015/3005. Candidate will have small amount of travel involved. Servicing about 800 machines total.
Account Executive - Sarasota, FL
Independent dealer looking for highly motivated sales professional to work side by side with the owner. Strong company that has been around for numerous years.
E-Automate Sarasota, FL
Client looking for an individual that has experience with E-Automate. Will have other back office duties as well for this independent dealer.
Account Executive - Macon, GA
Seeking a sales professional with record of meeting and exceeding company and personal expectations. Position will have some clients as well as need to bring in new business. Opportunity to have some major accounts as well.
MPS Manager - Eastern, IA
Highly motivated sales professional in the Waterloo area is needed for a large and successful independent MPS dealer. Candidates will need to have proven record of meeting and exceeding company goals for this position.
Selling Sales Manager - Western, IA
Experienced selling sales manager to lead team of individuals for a branch location of an independent dealer.
Technician - Baltimore, MD
Independent dealer looking for an experienced copier field technician. Must have strong customer service skills and be reliable, have a clean driving record and ability to travel to customer sites, and work independently. Must have previous experience in the copier industry, 2-3 years experience preferred.
Technician - Helena, MT
3-5 years experience as a Field Service Technician. Must be reliable, independent worker with OEM Training. Great opportunity with management possibilities for the right candidate.
Account Executive - Upstate, NY
Seeking a sales professional with record of meeting and exceeding company and personal expectations. Client is a large independent dealer and looking to expand a branch location in Upstate, NY.
Account Executive - Manhattan and Long Island, NY
Experienced sales professional with 3-5 Years of business to business experience in Manhattan area. Also, this position is in an open territory environment. If you as the candidate, feel you are able to work in this exciting environment please contact Copier Careers.
Account Executive - OH
Experienced Account Executive for a nation leading dealer throughout the state of OH. There will be an existing base of business and candidate will have to create more opportunity.
Technician - Philadelphia, PA
OEM Trained Technician needed Primarily the Philadelphia PA metropolitan area, which includes 5 county Philadelphia regions, Southern New Jersey and Northern Delaware. Technician needs to be OEM trained on Xerox printers, MFPs and a plus to our client would be knowledge of the HP line.
Account Executive - TN
Independent dealer opening multiple branches throughout the state of Tennessee. Needs experienced hunters to bring in new business.
Technician - East Texas
Experienced technician needed for independent dealer. OEM training is preferred but if not, well trained on other machines is a must.
Major Account Manager - Houston, TX
Major Account Manager to take over existing territory. Candidate will need at least 5 years of successful sales. Looking to fill a couple different positions.
Account Executive - VA
Reputable independent dealer looking for experienced account executive to take over existing territories as well as pursue new opportunity through various branch locations in VA.
Technician - Northern VA
Senior technician needed for large independent dealer in the northern Virginia area. OEM training is preferred.
Selling Sales Manager - Milwaukee, WI
Highly energetic individual to recruit, train, develop, manage & motivate multiple sales professionals.
Account Executive - North Eastern, WI
Energetic and Experienced Sales Professional needed for North Eastern Wisconsin.
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Copier Careers®
Minneapolis, MN 55403-3073
PHONE: (888) 733-4868
FAX: (800) 464-3434
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Copyright 2010 Copier Careers.
® All rights reserved. The information contained in this newsletter may not be published or otherwise distributed without prior written consent.
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