IN THIS ISSUE:
The Feed: Copier technicians among least satisfied workers in America
The Top 7: Ways to beat burnout
News In Brief: Announcements from Konica Minolta, Toshiba, Sharp, Xerox, and Apple
Q&A: Copier Careers talks to Mariano Gonzales of Rocky Mountain Business Systems
Job Listings
Copier Technicians among Least Satisfied Workers in America
According to a 2007 report from the University of Chicago's National Opinion Research Center (NORC), more than 80 percent of Americans say they are either "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their jobs. The most satisfied workers include clergy members (87.2 percent satisfied), firefighters (80.1 percent satisfied), and physical therapists (78.1 percent satisfied). The least satisfied workers include general laborers (21.4 percent satisfied), food preparers (23.6 percent satisfied), and cashiers (25 percent satisfied).
Alarmingly, copier service technicians appear to be among the least satisfied workers in America. The 2008 Technician Salary Survey from Copier Careers reveals that only 23 percent of service technicians are either "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their jobs. (The NORC survey does not include data on copier technicians specifically and data from the two surveys was collected independently and cannot be accurately compared. However, "electronic equipment repairers" and similar professionals surveyed by NORC also report abysmal levels of satisfaction.)
Why are copier technicians so dissatisfied? Hard to say, though the obvious culprit-hard work for mediocre pay-probably has something to do with it. Not surprisingly, the majority of copier technicians also report that they're actively (29 percent) or passively (62 percent) looking for a new job, either as a copier technician or in another field.
For employers in the copier industry, none of this is good news. Finding qualified techs is already a struggle, and these low levels of job satisfaction suggest that recruitment will only get harder. It may, however, be useful to know that technicians who are considering a change say they most desire less stress, more job stability, and higher compensation. Employers who can provide these things should have little trouble recruiting and retaining talented, tough-to-satisfy techs in the months and years to come.
THE TOP 7...Ways to Beat Burnout
Tips from the trenches to keep your copier career on track
In last month's Top 7, we helped you identify the signs and symptoms of job burnout-a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged work-related stress. This month, we've got seven strategies to help you overcome it.
1. Concentrate on the things you enjoy doing. Most jobs involve some degree of tedium, but if you're spending the majority of your time on tasks you dislike, you're likely to burn out. Talk to your employer about shifting your duties or assuming more responsibility. A few fresh challenges can make a big difference.
2. Deal with problems as they occur. If you let problems or unpleasant tasks pile up, they will eventually become unmanageable. Keep problems under control by resolving them quickly and completely.
3. Set attainable goals. Break up large projects into small, manageable tasks, and reward yourself for completing them.
4. Exercise. Regular exercise really does make you feel better. If your company offers a free or discounted gym membership, take advantage of it. If it doesn't, dust off those sneakers and get outside. The weather's beautiful, and with a little sweat you could be, too.
5. Take a course. Many companies will reimburse you for taking a career-related course or cultivating a new skill. Learning can be fun, and it may even earn you a pay raise or qualify you for a promotion.
6. Take a break. Even people who adore their jobs can find it hard to return to the office after an extended vacation. Rather than taking a long holiday, people suffering from burnout should take several short mini-vacations to recharge their batteries.
7. Take a hike. If all else fails, you can always look for a new job. Check out http://copiercareers.com/opportunities.shtml to search job listings in your area.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Konica Minolta Acquires Danka Office Imaging. Konica Minolta is expected to pay $240 million for Danka's U.S. business. The acquisition should be completed around June 2008, at which time Danka Office Imaging will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Konica Minolta.
Stargel Office Solutions Wins Toshiba's Dealer of the Year Award. Toshiba's award recognizes the dealership that best represents continued sales success, technical service expertise, and outstanding customer service. "We are dedicated to providing our customers with advanced business-enhancing technology and exceptional support, and are thrilled to receive this award recognizing our ongoing efforts," said Jack Stargel, president of Stargel Office Solutions. Founded in 1987, Stargel Office Solutions has its headquarters in Houston, Texas.
Survey Says Majority of Americans Unaware that Public Copiers May Not Be Secure. The survey, conducted by Roper on behalf of Sharp, polled 1,004 adults regarding their perceptions of digital copier security. Over 60 percent of respondents said they didn't realize that digital photocopiers can store document images on a hard drive, or that this information could be retrieved by a hacker if proper security measures aren't taken.
Xerox Settles Class Action Lawsuit. The plaintiffs, a class of current and former African-American sales reps for Xerox, alleged race discrimination with respect to sales territory assignments, quotas, and compensation. To settle the suit, Xerox will pay $12 million to the plaintiffs. The company will also establish a diversity task force to ensure that African-Americans are compensated in a non-discriminatory manner in the future.
Apple's iTunes Store Becomes America's Top Music Retailer. The online store has surpassed Wal-Mart to become the number one music seller in the U.S. With over 50 million customers, iTunes has sold over four billion songs. "We launched iTunes less than five years ago, and it has now become the number one music retailer in the world," said Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of iTunes. "We are thrilled, and would like to thank all of our customers for helping us reach this incredible milestone."
Q&A with Mariano Gonzales of Rocky Mountain Business Systems
Mariano, how long have you been in the copier business?
I started working in the industry in 1962, selling typewriters and copiers. We founded Rocky Mountain Business Systems in 1985. It's a family-owned business. My wife is the president, I'm the vice president, and I have two sons who work as sales managers. I also have a couple of sisters in the business. We have three locations, with headquarters in Santa Fe and branch offices in Albuquerque and Los Alamos.
It's difficult to find good service technicians. Sometimes, you can't even find them in your own town. You put an ad in the paper and a lot of people come in, but they're not the caliber that we're looking for. Is it more difficult now to find staff than it has been in the past?
Yes, it's more difficult because the equipment has gotten so much more complicated. You need people who are very knowledgeable. It's also hard to find good salespeople. You've got to find people who are motivated and who will get out and knock on doors and get those machines sold. They want more money guaranteed up front. I don't mind paying that if they put out the work. But there are a lot of people who don't have the motivation. Where do you think the industry will go from here?
That's a tough question. It's evolving so rapidly. It changes more and more every year. I just hope you won't be able to walk into Costco and buy a machine. I don't think that will happen, but I do believe that service is what's going to keep our industry going. Machines aren't perfect. They're all subject to breakage. They'll always need service. What do you do to differentiate yourself from other dealerships?
We strive to give the best service and the fastest service. We do whatever we can to please the customer. We don't have an automated customer service line-when the customer calls, they talk to us directly. We also carry most of the parts for the equipment. A lot of bigger companies in our area don't have the parts-they have to order them from California or Phoenix, and their technicians work out of their houses. We don't. We do everything right here. For us, being smaller is an advantage.
JOB LISTINGS
Wide Format Sales - Los Angeles
Sales Representative - Southern MO
Service Technician - Montana
Sales Representative - Springfield, OH
Field Technician - Yuma, AZ
Field Technician - High Desert, CA
Over 600 more copier industry jobs
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