It’s easy to see why Mike Stramaglio projects an image of someone who tends to live in the moment. The president of the MWA Business Unit under Konica Minolta’s All Covered has endured constant reminders pertaining to his mortality, as well as that of his loved ones, throughout much of his adult life.
Of the 41 years he has spent married to Maureen (Mo), Stramaglio estimates 20 of them entailed spending significant time in hospitals. Mo has battled leukemia and endured bone marrow transplants. And when her health improved, Mike discovered that he needed a form of brain surgery to address his acoustic neuroma.
“Every day is a gift…you never know when it’s going to strike you,” he said. “Appreciate the things in life that can be very quickly taken away from you.”
While this 2019 ENX Magazine Difference Maker may appreciate the value of the here and now, that doesn’t mean he isn’t looking forward to tomorrow. In fact, even at the age of 68, Stramaglio prefers to think of accomplishments that are yet to be realized, as opposed to dwelling on his legacy.
“I just want to continue to innovate and contribute,” he admitted. “I’m constantly looking at what’s next. Artificial intelligence and machine learning offer very exciting possibilities. We look at them and ask ourselves, how can we bring these technologies that are making an impact, and how can we craft them for our industry and adjacent ones?”
Evolving Technologies
Futuristic technologies provide that jolt of adrenalin for Stramaglio, who has watched a number of innovations parade by during his 40-plus year career—much of it spent with the former Minolta and Mobile Workforce Automation (MWA) Intelligence. He takes particular joy in working across the range of generations, particularly the millennials, with their lives greatly shaped by the internet and iPhone revolution.
“It is really rewarding to engage with young people who are making a difference with this technology and bringing solutions that can be offered to clients,” he said. “Between AI and machine learning, it really is a remarkable time to be alive.”
Forty years ago, Stramaglio wasn’t quite embarking on a plan to make a name for himself in the office technology sector. After finishing a stint in the navy, Stramaglio and a friend (who had also recently left the service) were trying to brainstorm on potential career paths. The friend asked Stramaglio if he had heard of copier machines (these were the 1970s, after all) and a company called Xerox.
The friend landed a job selling for Xerox, and Stramaglio cast his line into the same pool, but hooked up with 3M. The experience set Stramaglio on his path.
“Those were the 100% growth days,” he recalled. “It wasn’t hard to sell copiers, and 3M was actually great at training. It kept me challenged, kept me entertained, and it kept me in commissions.”
Honor Thy Parents
Stramaglio has always been guided by his old-world Italian heritage—one high on personal integrity, where you look someone straight in the eyes and speak to them plainly. Candor is a big part of who he is; Stramaglio doesn’t like to hold back or pull punches, and worries that perhaps we have fallen into an overly-guarded era, where the need to be politically correct has people measuring their words rather than speaking from the heart.
One other mantra he abides by: never, ever do or say anything that would disrespect your family or make your mother ashamed (which obviously covers a lot of ground). “I’m old school enough to remember the important part of how to sell and speak to people, to be respectful, and balance it out with wonderful technology,” he said.
Those values dovetailed nicely with those extolled by the Japanese executives Stramaglio has huddled with during the course of his career, from Sadahei Kusumoto (onetime president and CEO of Minolta) to Haruo Murase, former president of Canon USA. Stramaglio was struck by Murase’s ability to listen, absorb information and analyze. Likewise, Kusumoto offered brilliance and cooperation in a package tied nicely by respect.
Stramaglio also found inspiration from the likes of Konica Minolta top executive Rick Taylor, Muratec’s Jim D’Emidio and his own daughter, Jenna. “Having worked with her for 15 years, she has taught me how to gracefully operate in a world of young people,” he noted. “She’s one of the greatest influences in my life.”
The 2018 union of MWA with Konica Minolta and the All Covered platform stacks among the greatest accomplishments in Stramaglio’s career, and he is deeply committed to adding a significant number of dealers onto the FORZA SAP platform. His enthusiasm for what tomorrow may hold doesn’t supersede the value and joy to be found in the here and now. From his riding buddies in the Patriot Pack to all of the people who continue to draw attention and support to The Jillian Fund, virtually everything he values stands as that reminder to appreciate every day as a gift.
The Stramaglios also have a son, Mike, 39. They make it a point to travel to Italy every year. One of their favorite destinations
