Terry Dixon of LMI Solutions
As a graduate of Michigan State University, LMI’s Terry Dixon cites Spartan athletics, golf, and not least, his great family, for providing the most joy in his life.
Dixon entered the office products industry in March of 2000 with no prior industry experience. He was hired as the VP of sales for Column Office Equipment which had just been acquired by Global Imaging. He remained at Global Imaging for 16 years, rising to VP of sales and marketing. It was there that he developed his keen understanding of the dealer community and the best practices that could ensure their continued success.
Today, as president of LMI Solutions, Dixon says his “best days” are spent working with employees and clients, helping develop them, teaching MPS best practices, and coaching employees to reach places they thought unimaginable. “The team with the best people still wins,” he says.
Asked what it felt like to be named an ENX Magazine Difference Maker by his peers, Dixon says that it is amazing and humbling, particularly as he started as a small dealer with no industry experience.
Dixon cites Frank Gaspari, current FlexPrint CEO and former Column Office Technology CEO, as his greatest mentor. “He hired me, and really taught me the formula for success,” he says. “I have added to it, but the fundamentals are sound. It is amazing how many companies just lose touch with the fundamentals – “Brilliance in the Basics!’”
On a similar note, Dixon recalls that the best advice he ever received was from a college professor at MSU. “’If you want to create a world-class customer service organization, you have to create an environment in which “the answer is YES — what is the question?’” he recites. “It has become a culture in my organizations.”
Since moving to LMI Solutions earlier this year, Dixon has been very busy helping implement these cultural underpinnings. He says that the biggest accomplishment in 2016 was the tripling of the sales force. “We hired some really great people,” he says. “Our coverage of the market, which was our biggest limitation, is so improved. In 2017, the goal is to leverage the investment, develop the skills of this larger staff, and make it fun every day. We also want to help all our clients grow their MPS business – to break down the self-created barriers to growth.”
Questioned about the state of the office products technology industry, Dixon replies with his customary optimism and enthusiasm. “The industry is still amazing,” he says. “Reports of our demise are greatly over stated!”
He adds: “That being said, the most successful companies are open to change. They think differently and challenge their organizations. The biggest opportunity is our own internal expectations. Our expectations for growth should be much higher. We can’t be afraid of that.”
Dixon says that the best thing about his job, and throughout his career, has been the incredible people he has met and worked with. “I have had the opportunity to change people’s lives,” he says. “This may sound silly, but I tell people all the time in the copier business: This can be life changing, and in many cases, it has turned out that way.”
