Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 80 | Page 71

Chris Kruger , Managing Director at Nashua Kopano
On the lighter side of things , we ask the industry experts what makes them tick . . . .

. . . GET TO KNOW . . .

Chris Kruger , Managing Director at Nashua Kopano

dDescribe your current job role and a summary of the business model of your organisation ?

As the Managing Director at Nashua Kopano , Chris Kruger develops , oversees , and implements the company ’ s operations and strategy . He collaborates closely with his team and the company ’ s public and private sector customers to drive shared success . He has overseen Nashua Kopano ’ s transformation from a traditional office automation company into a total workspace solutions provider .
The company ’ s portfolio of solutions today includes ICT , printing and document management , the Internet of Things , energy , surveillance , connectivity , and cash management . This integrated suite of solutions helps organisations to be productive , efficient , and resilient in an era of hybrid work .
What are your strengths and abilities that you bring to the above role ?
Chris has over 20 years of sales and leadership experience in the enterprise ICT market , including holding senior positions at companies like HP , Datacentrix and Konica Minolta . He is a seasoned leader with experience in managing diversified ICT companies . He also holds strong people skills , with a proven history in negotiating win-win , high value contracts with customers and suppliers . He is equally comfortable
with sales , operations , strategy , and planning , bringing diverse strengths to his role .
Please describe the opportunities and challenges that exist for channel partners in your market ?
Nashua Kopano ’ s customers are looking for a single partner to help them navigate the challenges of providing great employee experiences , ensuring productivity , driving collaboration , and becoming agile in a world of hybrid working models , global competition , and load shedding . There are compelling opportunities for channel partners to provide the integrated solutions that enterprises need to work smarter and harder . One of the challenges ICT companies share with their customers is that implementing technology can be time-consuming and complex which could require a large upfront investment and a national footprint . There is a fine line to walk between seizing the advantages the technology offers and embedding it into the business at a pace that employees and customers can keep up with . It is imperative to focus on the business value and the allimportant return on investment .
Which technologies and innovations can make a difference to the channel market dynamics in the near future ?
Renewable energy and sustainability are top-ofmind concerns right now . There is a lot of innovation
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