Konica Minolta rides on change, innovation
Print Edition
CHANGE and innovation are not new to Konica Minolta. The 142-year-old company has undergone many transformations, like selling its camera unit few years ago to focus on business image section, and, more recently, expanding into the value–added services sector.
Ling Yun, marketing director of Konica Minolta Business Solutions (China) Co, said the latest business revamp is a rational move. Konica Minolta plans to spend the next few years focusing more on software, solutions and services instead of relying solely on office devices for sales in China.
“It’s always a little painful striking out on a new course,” she said. “But following the “customer-centric” service concept of Konica Minolta, we have to embrace change and create new value for clients.”
Ling’s office on Huaihai Road contains a demo room for the latest MFPs, or multi-functional peripherals, and photos of activities sponsored by the company under its “corporate social responsibility” strategy.
Companies today have new and more diversified needs, she said. Beyond traditional office printing, copying, faxing and scanning, clients are looking for document security, usage cost management, processes optimization and energy saving.
Ling said it is her job to bring new ideas to the industry. Among the newer solutions and services are IC card certification, wireless connection with handsets and green solutions that promote energy-efficiency and environmental protection.
Konica Minolta’s new business core is the three-step closed cycle optimized print service, which offers consultation and problem solving, implementation and controls, and after-sales management services. For example, Konica Minolta signed a global optimized print service contract with BMW and provides BMW with output management, information safety and authenticated printing solutions after gaining a deep insight into internal processes, so as to optimize the business processes, enhance information security and cut costs.
Business opportunities
Like each step in the evolution of Konica Minolta, the company faces both market challenges and business opportunities.
The competition in the MFP market is one of the fiercest among Japanese giants. They are concerned that slower growth in China, reduced government spending and even heavier emphasis on environmental issues could make the pie for traditional business limited.
China sales of multi-functional peripherals are expected to jump to 710,000 units by 2017 from 500,000 in 2012. The market share of color MFPs is expected to double to 16 percent.
The popularity of the internet and smart devices is expected to fuel demand in the industry, expanding into general business circles from big state-owned companies, multinationals and government agencies now.
Ling said she is still confident that Konica Minolta is well-placed in the industry. China is the only region in the world of Konica Minolta that contains research and development, manufacturing and sales subsidiaries.
That means customized services for multinational firms and locally big clients. Its clients span finance and insurance, government agencies, manufacturers, education and logistics.
Several years ago, Ling was involved in marketing and sales to help company consolidate its leading position in color MFPs in China. In fact, Konica Minolta’s A3 color MFP ranked tops in the domestic market for nine consecutive years until 2014.
Konica Minolta is more than just business, its corporate responsibility activities are designed to give something back to local communities. The company sponsored a painting contest for mentally handicapped children every year.
“I was really moved when I saw the beautiful paintings done by these children,” said Ling.
The company visits schools for “special children” every year, donating color printers and MFPs. The number of the schools it visits has been climbing annually.
In an elegant black suite, Ling also shared her management philosophy as a senior executive in a Japanese firm.
Eager to embrace change, brave to take responsibility and willing to communicate with team members are Ling’s favorites, which are also Konica Minolta’s DNAs.
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