Going to Miami for Channel Partner?

Planning on being in Miami for Channel Partner next month? If yes, please call us today to receive COMPLIMENTARY Exhibit Hall Tickets. These tickets will be limited to the first 100 agents who register for our All-Star Telecom Event on September 22nd at the Marriot in South Beach. At this event you hear from the Senior Executives from TNCI, XO, OneComm and PaeTec. We’ll also be hosting lunch for all in attendance. Plus, we’ll be raffling off prizes and cash during our Networking Power Hour where you will mingle with the teams supporting PlanetOne. This promises to be the best telecom event at Channel Partner and IT’S FREE !!!   To register visit our home page.

We hope to see you there.

It is a Happy New Year !!

I know all we hear lately is bad news about home prices, the economy and stocks but there is something to be thankful for and happy about . . . it is a GREAT time to be an agent in our industry !!!

How many of your neighbors can make that claim right now about their job or profession? I know when my friends ask me how business is and I respond with “terrific we’re up 17% YTD and I am predicting 20% in 2009″. They look at me in utter disbelief. Their next statement is usually “you’re kidding right”? For the few friends who actually understand what I do for a living . . . they get it. For those who don’t I tell them “we help companies save money and how many companies want to do that right now”?

To further substantiate my claim . . . our 2008 Preferred Vendors (XO, TNCI, ACC, Premiere and Qwest) experienced revenue growth of 35% over 2007 from PlanetOne. These numbers and claims should not come as a surprise to those reading our Blog. 

So try and block out all the bad press and news and take advantage of a being in the right place at the right time. You have the unique ability to help others around you who desperately need our services. Companies globally are aggressively trying to save money to remain profitable in this economy and telecommunications can be a significant monthly expense depending on the size of the organization.

So if you are having a tough time getting appointments or closing deals in this market I suggest you change your pitch or update your resume because there’s never been a better time to be an agent.

Cheers to you and yours and have a fantastic 2009 !!

Telecom Tour Stops Sell Out !!

Our Denver and Conneticut Tour Stops were SOLD OUT !!  If you missed them make plans to join us in Boston on August 17th. You’ll get trained by the best carriers in the business (XO, Qwest, TNCI, Premiere Global and ACC) from 8am -12pm then go to a RED SOX game compliments of TNCI & PlanetOne !!

Plus, you’ll leave with enough nice gifts to fill a shopping cart and maybe be lucky enough to win some money or any of the fabulous prizes given away throughout the event. Agents got to rub shoulders with the brass, network with peers, find out about the latest promos and meet the teams that support PlanetOne.

“This marks the 6th year we have been doing these events around the country and our 2008 Tour Stops are without a doubt the best we’ve ever done. The agents and carriers all leave fired up ready to kill it when they return home”.

To regsiter for Boston Tour Stop on August 17th please do so ASAP as tickets to the Red Sox game are LIMITED.  http://www.planetone.net/telecom_tour_signup.aspx

PlanetOne President’s Club – Puerto Vallarta

PlanetOne just hosted its 7^th Annual incentive trip for top producing agents at the Vallarta Palace in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico just minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta. Agents and their guests were pampered and kept busy during this exclusive 4-day event. XO, TNCI, ACC, Qwest and PaeTec  participated in all the festivities south of the border.

 

Picture Gallery: http://gallery.mac.com/tedschuman/100035

 

Thursday, May 15th

Vendors and Agents were picked up at the airport and swept away to the Vallarta Palace where they attended a Welcome Reception. (See link above for all event photo’s)

 

Friday, May 16^th

Guests were taken on a historical tour and shopping excursion of Puerto Vallarta. Following the tour PlanetOne hosted its 1^st Beach Olympics. Contestants competed in a tug-o-war, egg toss, tequila relay, swimming race and perhaps the highlight was the hysterical “Flour Basket Fill Up”. “We wanted to create a fun and competitive environment where being the most athletic person did not assure you of winning anything and I believe we accomplished our objective in spades” says Ted Schuman, CEO PlanetOne. Concluding the Olympics PlanetOne provided Wave Runners for those who were more adventurous to tackle 3’-6’ foot swells. To wrap up the day dinner was served right on the beach where Mariachi’s serenaded the guests.

 

Saturday, May 17^th

PlanetOne chartered a 72’ft catamaran for the entire day where everyone relaxed aboard “Geronimo”. Food and beverages were in abundant supply for all and so were the activities. Guests snorkeled at the Las Marietas Islands where Jacque Cousteau called this special destination his favorite place in the world to snorkel. From there it was off to a private beach and a catered lunch and some kayaking. Then PlanetOne had its Award Ceremony in one of the many ocean front restaurants at Vallarta Palace.

 

Sunday was departure day for all but some guests extended their stay for more R&R in Puerto Vallarta who weren’t quite ready to go home.

 

“Our charter every year is very simple . . . we want to host the best event in the industry where winners are pampered, entertained, relax and laugh during their trip without having to spend a dime. Based on the comments from everyone who spent last week with us in Puerto Vallarta . . . mission accomplished”.

 

The Event Sponsors this year who helped make this event possible were XO, Qwest, TNCI, ACC and PaeTec.

What’s Happened to Ethics, Commitment and Manners?

It’s sad to say but I have told my Father on more than one occasion the only difference between telecom and the car business is we wear nicer suits. It wasn’t always that way. I recall a time when someone said they would do something for you . . . it happened. When you gave a gift to someone they said . . . thank you. When a Channel Manager or VP left one carrier they called and stayed in touch instead of trying to steal client and agent lists.

 

When you have been doing this for over 20 years I can honestly say I have seen it all happen more than once and it never ceases to amaze me. The only silver lining is you can almost always count on:

A)     they’ll be fired soon or leave their current employer

B)      they’ll end up in jail

C)      they’ll set up accounts on the side and then leave the carrier to become an agent

D)     they leave the industry

E)      they’ll call on you again with a new program which is ALWAYS better than what they were selling before

 

The people we are the most successful with today (vendors & agents) are the ones we have strong personal relationships with that have been built on mutual respect and trust. This comes from doing the common things uncommonly well:

A)     returning calls timely

B)      responding to email

C)      being professional

D)     showing concern for you and your business

E)      going the extra mile to help regardless of the time of day

F)      showing appreciation for your business

G)     being creative to resolve issues

H)     creating win-win scenarios

I)        paying us timely (had to throw that one in!)

 

The entire industry has been stretched very thin. Everyone works on tight schedules, tight budgets and struggles managing their workload. However, if you just remember to embrace some of the endearing qualities our parents hopefully taught us . . . your income, quotas, job satisfaction, blood pressure and happiness will take care of itself.

 

Slow down tomorrow and call someone to say “thank you”.  Return that call you’ve been putting off. Respond to that email in your Inbox you’ve ignored. Help someone solve a problem.

 

You can’t place a value on doing this. It doesn’t cost you anything but your time and as MasterCard likes to put it’s “priceless”.

PlanetOne Selects 2008 Prefered Carriers

PlanetOne has selected ACC, Premiere Global, Qwest, TNCI and XO and our 2008 Preferred Carriers.

Preferred Carriers were selected based on several criteria.

• A fair and balanced agreement which typically includes preferential terms, conditions and protection for PlanetOne and our Agents.
• Special incentives and compensation
• Unique promotions
• Dedicated internal personnel for PlanetOne
• Superior back-office with efficient systems and resources for PlanetOne
• Commitment to ongoing training and education
• Strong Account Management Team
• Commitment to participate in all 2008 Telecom Tour Stops and President’s Club

PlanetOne will be reviewing and evaluating our Preferred Carriers in Q408 to ensure the above providers continue to meet and exceed our expectations for this program.

We congratulate our Preferred Carriers for displaying a true commitment to PlanetOne and our Agents around the country who work so hard to support your efforts.

Channel Partner Show – Las Vegas

As a current Advisory Board Member for the Channel Partner Show I must say I was very impressed with the recent event in Las Vegas. It was fantastic (at least from our perspective). I fully appreciate that it might not be a priority for all our agents to attend one of these industry events but at some point in the future it might be good to go to see what goes on at these telecom super shows. If cost is an issue we can help subsidize it with free passes and discounted rooms at the host venue.

The Show represents a great opportunity to get reacquainted with old friends, colleagues, new and old vendors and to get educated on the latest leading edge technology.

It also doesn’t hurt to get some free passes to terrific after hours events. Of course, you will have to track Rick and I down to get them !!

All in all this latest show proved to be very meaningful for PlanetOne. We had several highly productive meetings, won a few awards from our suppliers and left feeling very positive about the current state of our business and industry.

Why not join us in Boston this August 17th and attend our Telecom Tour Stop the day before the Channel Partner Show begins. I promise you will leave a bit more knowledgeable and pumped up about telecom.

We’ll supply the Advil and Vitamin B-12 to keep up with Rick and I !!!

2008 Agent Survey Results

First, I want to thank all the PlanetOne Agents who took the time to complete our survey. Your input is invaluable and will help us shape our program going forward so we can continue to provide you the best products, services and support your agency requires. To that end . . . you may find some of the results surprising.

• #1 reason you send us business is because you trust us to pay. #2 was reputation of the company. Interesting to note that it was more important than who pays the highest residual commission.
• #1 recommedation to improve in 2008 was to add more vendors.  Was happy to see it wasn’t pay higher commissions !!  We’re listening . . . which vendors ???
• Almost 40% of you had NO IDEA we offered a Platinum Agent Agreement. Call Rick Ribas at 877.729.5646. It’s our most lucrative agent offering.
• 60% of you said President’s Club motivated you and the others said “show me the money“. If you do make it to one of our trips you wouldn’t want the money for it. The friendships, good times, laughter and experience are worth far more than the cost of the trip.
• 80% of you said we did above average or outstanding in supporting your agency. THANK YOU !! We all try hard here to do our best. In 2008 we’ll try to convert the other 20%.
• 40% of you sell less than 20% of the time and spend the majority of your day in the office taking care of customers and doing misc admin functions. We have a solution for those handcuffed to the office that need to get out and sell more. Call me at 800.231.6264
• 81% said they LOVED RPM . . . the other 19% NEVER use it !! We’re pleased to hear you trust us so much to you accurately and on time but for crying out loud take a look occasionally to make sure we are not missing something.
• 90% of you are frequently reading our online P1 Wire and using our website. I was shocked to see it so high. You guys must really like to read and have a lot of free time on your hands.

These are just some of the highlights that came from the survey. Unfortunately, I can’t share all the good stuff since we know our competition loves to keep PlanetOne on their radar screens . . . so we’ll just have to discuss it on our next conf call and how you changed some of our plans for 2008 and beyond.

Until then . . . keep selling and making money.

 Cheers !!

XO is gettin’ it done !!

For those of you who have not sold for this carrier you are missing out on one of the greatest turnarounds in our industry. I wrote them off for dead 24 months ago and considered them our WORST carrier without equal and today they’re consistently one of our top performing providers. Are they perfect – no.  However, they’re commitment to PlanetOne and our Subs is phenomenal. I currently sit on their Advisory Board and have the opportunity to sit face to face with their “C” Level Exec’s 3-4 times per year and discuss what’s working and what needs to be improved. There are no ego’s in Reston in these meetings and their objective is singular . . . where does XO need to improve.

As far as our relationship with XO today . . . it’s get better all the time. Our agreement is as good as we have with any of our providers, commissions are very aggressive, we sit on their Advisory Board, get to have direct involvement in the direction of the Channel and most importantly . . . they are very engaged with our Subs and their prospective opportunities.

At the end of the day as agents we all have choices to make as to which carriers we favor and want to support and XO is VERY HIGH on our list here in Scottsdale for 2008 !!

Happy Holidays,

Ted Schuman

This is Perfect !!!

Well . . . now we have a spot on our site where I (we) can rant about any topic that is hot and needs to be discussed. I’ve finally found a forum to voice my opinions about our industry as it moves and shakes. For those of you who know me well I can assure my posts will reflect my honest personal opinion without someone in the media toning down my takes on the wonderful world of telecom.

We’ll also use the blog to keep you up to date on the latest and greatest here at PlanetOne. Whether it’s new promotions, products, industry events you can rest easy knowing it’s going to appear in our BLOG. SO mark this page now and come back often.

Give me a day or two and count on seeing something you might want to comment on. Don’t be bashful this will be your chance to express yourself as well.

Regards,

Ted Schuman