Irvine, Calif. – Toshiba America Business Solutions Inc. (TABS) held its first-ever international LEAD conference in Mexico City, Mexico, Nov. 9-10, 2010. Introduced in summer 2010, LEAD – which stands for Learn, Engage, Act and Deliver – is a new series of interactive training workshops designed to provide office technology dealers with the tools and information necessary to help them successfully implement and sell Managed Print and Professional Services (MPS and PS). LEAD 2010 was initially held at four regional locations across the U.S. and drew nearly 700 attendees. Positive feedback across the board then led Toshiba to roll out the program to the international distributor community.
 
“Managed print and professional services are the greatest market opportunities for distributors throughout Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Mike Mathe, vice president and general manager, International Division, TABS. “It’s imperative that distributors shift their focus from selling hardware to being a MPS and PS provider, because for every one dollar spent on A3, three go to A4. And for every page printed to an A3, three go to an A41. Your market opportunities quadruple when you redefine yourself and your business in this way – it’s as simple as that!”
 
Security and Environmental Assessments

Security and environmental services and solutions are a key part of Toshiba’s MPS and PS offerings, and were major focus areas at the Mexico City conference. Heightened public awareness and concerns for these two issues has created greater revenue growth opportunities for dealers through bundling these services with current MPS offerings. Toshiba key executives used the LEAD conferences in Mexico as an opportunity to once again communicate this strategic sales message. As with the domestic conferences earlier this year, there was little mention of actual hardware, further driving home the point that Toshiba has redefined itself as a services-led organization.
 
Any of the 29 international distributors that were unable to attend the LEAD conference in Mexico City are currently able to access a virtual conference on Toshiba eXCHANGE, TABS’ social business network. This interactive online experience features all of the content presented at the live conference, including the actual talk track. The easy-to-use interface allows people to view content tracks at their own pace. The LEAD 2010 Virtual Conference platform will also facilitate interaction with TABS MPS and Professional Services specialists, as well as other MPS sales, service and support professionals across the country.