Highlights from the 2011 Asia Pacific MPS Conference

Doc generally hates competition, but I make an exception for fellow blogger Greg Walters, who peppers his postings at The Death of the Copier Blog with references to pop culture from many different eras (and mediums). Plus, he's a Springsteen fan so in Doc's book that makes him okay.

Well, it seems Greg recently gave a keynote speech at the 2011 Asia Pacific MPS Conference in Sydney, Australia. Doc was otherwise occupied during that event, so didn't get a chance to hear what Greg had to say. But I found a report over at What They Think on the event and the pearls of wisdom that flowed from Greg's brain.

In his keynote presentation, Walters focused on several concepts affecting the marketplace:

- Transformation – "From the inside out. Apple transformed by building what they would use, not what the marketing pundits told them to produce."

-  Partnerships and Collaboration – "Advisories will forge new partnerships. OEM to toner re-man, dealer to dealer."

- The Big Zag, for Today – "Running and managing an MPS practice is challenging. The more who don't understand that, the better for we who do. Once the 'P' is removed, we are left with 'Managed Services'.  If you can run an MPS practice, you can thrive inside an MS."

- What is your Zag? – "Do you ask instead of tell? Do you attract or do you push MPS? Are you chained to your successful past? What makes you different? You do."

- The Death of The Copier, Rise of the Originals – The Ultimate Zag. What does the death of the copier mean today? Greg explained, "…now is the time to let go of our past…we cannot move forward tied to the old models…(of) past success…never before have we, as individuals, had the tools and power to be independent…"

Doc says "way to go Greg, you tell 'em." And remember, no one asks any questions or looks too long at your face… in the darkness on the edge of town.