This year, Bishop Business owner Dave Bishop reached a major milestone. On June 1, he marked 45 years of serving the businesses of Omaha and the surrounding area. Here’s a look at what’s changed during that time—and the important things that have stayed the same.
TL;DR
Dave Bishop joined Bishop Business in June 1978 and spent 45 years helping the company adapt as workplace technology changed from typewriters and word processors to PCs, copiers, printers and secure multifunction devices. Through those changes, Bishop Business remained focused on local relationships, service and helping customers adopt the technology they needed to work more effectively.
Update: Dave Bishop retired from Bishop Business on Dec. 31, 2024, after 46 years with the company. His 45-year milestone interview below was originally published in 2023 and reflects on the technological and business changes he experienced throughout his career.
Dave, how did you get into the business machine business?
DAVE: In June 1978, I had just graduated and gotten married, so I was looking for my first full-time job. I told my dad that I would come work for him selling word processors. The rest is history!
What did you do once the typewriter market started to dry up?
DAVE: The thing about this business is that you can never anticipate the direction technology is going to go. Back then, we thought typewriters were here to stay. Then the first word processor hit the market. It was essentially a typewriter with 32 kilobytes of storage—a huge amount at that time!
It didn’t take long for word processors to kill off the typewriter business. Then, the first PC hit the market, and the demand for word processors dried up. By that time, we had expanded our offerings to include copiers and printers, so that’s what we decided to focus our growth on.
What technological advances have you seen in the business machine market over the last 45 years?
DAVE: We’ve seen many technologies come and go. One example is the fax machine. When they hit the market, everyone needed one. Then email came on the scene, and the demand for fax machines crashed. Today, most people under the age of 25 can’t even tell you what a fax machine is or how it works!
What this business has taught me is that you have to be nimble. What you think will last forever can end quickly. Today, we sell machines that help businesses conserve paper and ink and equipment that comes with private print capabilities that secure sensitive data. I can only imagine the technology Bishop Business will be selling 15 years from now.
So, technology has changed over the last four decades. What’s stayed the same?
DAVE: Consumers continue to prioritize purchasing from trusted local companies that offer top-notch service and support. They care about relationships, and they believe supporting local small businesses is a way to strengthen their community. What’s great about America is that small businesses make up 99.9% of businesses in the economy and nearly half of all U.S. employees are employed by a small business (Forbes). Small businesses, like Bishop Business, are an integral part of the social and economic fabric of local communities. This tradition dates back to the early days of the American economy and likely will remain that way well into the future.
Any last words for today?
DAVE: I’ve had the incredible opportunity to serve this community for my entire career and I’m so incredibly grateful for all of the customers we have partnered with over the years. Our team is uniquely positioned to remain locally owned, supporting the community with new business technologies for the next 45 years and beyond.
Congratulations to Dave for reaching this momentous milestone. To work with your local, independent provider of business machine sales and service, get in touch with Bishop Business at bbec.com or give us a call at 402-537-8000 today.
Technology Changes. Service Still Matters.
The products Bishop Business sells today look very different from the word processors Dave Bishop sold in 1978. But the basic responsibility has remained the same: understand what customers need, provide the right technology and stand behind it with strong local service.
Your Workplace Working Better. Since 1954.
45 Years of Workplace Technology Change
1978 — Word processors
Dave joins Bishop Business selling word processors shortly after graduating.
Typewriters decline
Word processors begin replacing traditional typewriters.
Personal computers arrive
PCs rapidly reduce demand for standalone word-processing equipment.
Fax machines boom—and fade
Fax becomes essential office technology before email changes business communication.
Copiers and printers become core workplace systems
Bishop expands its focus toward multifunction office equipment.
Modern workplace technology
Devices increasingly incorporate network connectivity, secure printing, scanning and workflow capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dave Bishop and Bishop Business
When did Dave Bishop join Bishop Business?
Dave Bishop joined Bishop Business in June 1978 after graduating and getting married. He initially began selling word processors for his father’s company.
How long did Dave Bishop work at Bishop Business?
Dave Bishop marked 45 years with Bishop Business on June 1, 2023.
How did Bishop Business change during Dave Bishop’s career?
During Dave Bishop’s career, the office technology industry moved from typewriters and word processors to PCs, fax machines, copiers, printers and increasingly secure, connected multifunction devices. Bishop Business adapted its product and service offerings as those technologies changed.
What did Dave Bishop say was most important about staying successful in office technology?
He emphasized the need to remain nimble because technology can change quickly and products that once seemed permanent can rapidly become obsolete.
What remained consistent at Bishop Business despite changes in technology?
Dave Bishop emphasized trusted local relationships, strong service and support, and the importance of local businesses to their communities.
Is Dave Bishop still leading Bishop Business?
No. Dave Bishop retired at the end of 2024 after 46 years with the company. Chris Bell subsequently assumed the CEO role.