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 !!

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 !!