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 !!!