‘Shinrai’ initiative to increase trust, confidence and loyalty in the OKI brand, building sales via common targeted sales and marketing programmes

Egham, 1 May 2014 – OKI Europe has launched a new single channel partner programme across the EMEA region, as it looks to strengthen the OKI brand by building closer relationships with existing and new partners.

The new ‘Shinrai’ partner initiative is designed to build trust, confidence and loyalty between OKI and its partner community, by opening up new business opportunities through a comprehensive EMEA-wide programme, including targeted sales, marketing, finance and training support.

“OKI is unique, as we are the only major printer manufacturer to sell 100% indirectly through a distribution network,” says Terry Kawashima, managing director, OKI Europe. “Until now we have supported this with a series of independent local initiatives. However, the new regional programme underlines our total commitment to the channel, working together in opening up new opportunities and building profitable business, as part of a true partnership approach.”

Tiered support
The tiered OKI partner programme operates at a number of levels, including Executive Partner, Premium Partner, Business Partner and specialist e-Commerce and BPO Partners.

Each is based on the individual distributor’s business model and level of integration and commitment to OKI and benefits from different levels of support and rewards.

Partners benefit from structured support across a number of key areas:

- Marketing – OKI will provide a range of marketing materials, including POS, promotional collateral, direct mail, eShots, invitations and advertisements

- Sales – Lead generation support will include lead provision (Premium and Executive Partners), visibility on OKI’s Dealer Locator and programmes of promotion with supporting marketing materials

- Specialisations – bespoke marketing, promotions, product/solutions expertise and training support is available to support partners specialising in Managed Print Services (MPS), Solutions and Graphical Arts

- Finance (for Executive Partners) – includes access to third-party finance, assistance to provide total package solutions and refinancing of existing or old equipment

Premium Partners, Executive Partners and E-commerce Partners will receive a certificate and a Partner Programme Contract, designed to formalise the relationship and emphasise the mutual benefits of working closely together. Additional support will be provided by a dedicated account manager, whose role is to help each distributor achieve their business goals. Sales targets will be set in each case and a new bonus structure is designed to reward investment in OKI, its products and services.
 
“Through this structured and supportive programme of incentives, tools and training, OKI will help each partner build on its existing customer base and develop new opportunities,” confirms Kawshima. “This will not only benefit OKI and its partners, but also end-customers who will not only have greater access to OKI’s outstanding product innovation but also enterprise-quality consultancy and support.”