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”.

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

PlanetOne is now a bloggin’…

It’s official. PlanetOne has entered the arena of blogging.  Never known for biting our tounge, we are now taking our rants and raves to the World Wide Web. Watch out cyber users, we’ve got a lot to say and we’re not afraid to type it.