Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Channel Partners Expo March 1-3 in Las Vegas, NV
Our CEO will be attending Channel Partners Expo in March. If you are interested in scheduling a meeting during that time, please send her an email directly at hclere@clerecomm.com
Monday, January 18, 2010
Reflection on the Qwest QMarket Place Event Jan 2010
Each year, the Qwest QMarket Place Event is a time for us to visit with old coworkers, channel sales managers, visit with Agents and meet new companies in the Telecom business. This year we had a great time catching up, sharing business practices and learning about new technologies and strategies.
The format was slightly different this year, than past shows. The Product Fair was held on Thursday, during breakout sessions instead of Wednesday evening after the on boarding training. The disadvantage for partners attending the breakout sessions, was the inability to participate in the product fair, but it also made the product fair less congested, giving those who had specific product questions, the forum to have one-one time with specialists. It would have been great for our AC & SE Teams to have been there, as these relationships are crucial to the building of sales, process & business functions for each Agent.
We found the breakout sessions we attended were comprised of very useful information, experts in the area and there was a lot of time for not only understanding the technology / process, but also question answer sessions. This was very helpful for a deeper understanding of how Qwest is positioned in the market for new technology trends.
If you have ever considered attending the QMarketplace Event, but never taken advantage of the opportunity, I would recommend trying to attend next year. When planning, schedule yourself to arrive to Denver by 11am, on Wed, giving you time to meet your CSMs in the partner lunch, attend the on boarding (or refresher) and stay for the full event with Awards Dinner Thurs. Plan to either join the group on the ski trip or head home on Friday.
It would be great to meet those of you next year who were unable to attend!
The format was slightly different this year, than past shows. The Product Fair was held on Thursday, during breakout sessions instead of Wednesday evening after the on boarding training. The disadvantage for partners attending the breakout sessions, was the inability to participate in the product fair, but it also made the product fair less congested, giving those who had specific product questions, the forum to have one-one time with specialists. It would have been great for our AC & SE Teams to have been there, as these relationships are crucial to the building of sales, process & business functions for each Agent.
We found the breakout sessions we attended were comprised of very useful information, experts in the area and there was a lot of time for not only understanding the technology / process, but also question answer sessions. This was very helpful for a deeper understanding of how Qwest is positioned in the market for new technology trends.
If you have ever considered attending the QMarketplace Event, but never taken advantage of the opportunity, I would recommend trying to attend next year. When planning, schedule yourself to arrive to Denver by 11am, on Wed, giving you time to meet your CSMs in the partner lunch, attend the on boarding (or refresher) and stay for the full event with Awards Dinner Thurs. Plan to either join the group on the ski trip or head home on Friday.
It would be great to meet those of you next year who were unable to attend!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Goals for 2010 and Reflection on 2009
When thinking about goals for 2010, we looked at the economy first. All of the shifts happened when people looked at politics, and the media began to spread fear. We believe that even though we too are effected by strains in the economy, that the light at the end of the tunnel is already here, we just have to be open to embrace it. We are at a new age, with different challenges, and although challenges are difficult to adjust to, we believe that if we are open we can change things.
We are very grateful for each of our clients. The relationships we have built are amazing. The carrier relationships continue to grow stronger and our clients continue to thrive. This is a blessing for us to witness. We feel we are a large part of each of their families and this is a special gift. Although our budget has eliminated some special gifts we send each year, we know that they understand their value in our work relationship.
2009 Introduced many changes for us. The launch of the blog, multiple social networking tools & the development of the PM & Auditing Certification Process. We are proud of the work we have done this year & for the benchmark of looking back 12 months at the quality of labor put into every hour of every day. As we hope to continue to grow & support more Agents, we are hopeful about the progress the carriers have with their Agent programs & the Customer/Agent driven focus they project to have. It is exciting to see the incentives some of the carriers have brought forward to the Agents. It is an exciting time to be in Telecom. Imagine what it will look like in the next year. Technology will continue to evolve, more products will be perfected & introduced, Agents will continue to grow.
Our plan for 2010 is to continue to support you in the best ways we know how. You are the reason why we are here. We want you to know that & if we don’t tell you often enough – you are our family too.
We pray this year will bring much fruit to your businesses, to your families & to your prosperity!
We are very grateful for each of our clients. The relationships we have built are amazing. The carrier relationships continue to grow stronger and our clients continue to thrive. This is a blessing for us to witness. We feel we are a large part of each of their families and this is a special gift. Although our budget has eliminated some special gifts we send each year, we know that they understand their value in our work relationship.
2009 Introduced many changes for us. The launch of the blog, multiple social networking tools & the development of the PM & Auditing Certification Process. We are proud of the work we have done this year & for the benchmark of looking back 12 months at the quality of labor put into every hour of every day. As we hope to continue to grow & support more Agents, we are hopeful about the progress the carriers have with their Agent programs & the Customer/Agent driven focus they project to have. It is exciting to see the incentives some of the carriers have brought forward to the Agents. It is an exciting time to be in Telecom. Imagine what it will look like in the next year. Technology will continue to evolve, more products will be perfected & introduced, Agents will continue to grow.
Our plan for 2010 is to continue to support you in the best ways we know how. You are the reason why we are here. We want you to know that & if we don’t tell you often enough – you are our family too.
We pray this year will bring much fruit to your businesses, to your families & to your prosperity!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sorting Through Social Media
This is a very interesting video featuring Mike O'Niel of Integrated Alliances from the Channel Partner Expo in Miami 2009.
http://telecomsalesandmarketing.blogspot.com/2009/10/social-media-seminar-from-miami-trade.html
http://telecomsalesandmarketing.blogspot.com/2009/10/social-media-seminar-from-miami-trade.html
Monday, July 13, 2009
Telecom Challenge
In these uncertain economic times, Agents are challenged with how to bring in new business, maintain existing customer bases, and hit carrier commitment levels. The other challenge is the surge in Social Network Marketing, time and budgeting all of the above. How do you overcome these obstacles?
The Telecom Challenge
(1) Give a little to gain a lot - what does this look like? Giving that time is disappearing, bills are increasing and customers are thinning out, you need to invest in client management. Client management is constant contact with your customers assuring them that you are there for them during these economic times. Invite them to an account review to ensure that their services are up to date and contracts are under the best promotions. Contact them when new promotions are released, but involved in their day to day. Be an advocate on a higher level.
(2) How can someone achieve this when time is so thin and budget is low? Outsourcing this service will provide a great buffer for you & the client. By providing a team of people who are there to support you, your customers and their needs. In fact, we have an entire process dedicated to help you achieve this. If you haven't taken a look at our new support offerings, you should consider them.
(3) Flat rate packages keep you from questioning time vs reward. We have launched a few new plans that are offered on a flat rate basis that will help you budget long term your Client Management Services vs your Back Office/Pm Services. Contact a Representative today to see what this may look like for you. You will be pleased at the affordable package rates.
(4) Some Partners have gone back to the drawing board. When you consider your sales volume, your carrier contracts vs. time, some partners have gone back to project managing & placing their own orders. What they have not seen is the decrease in visibility in the marketplace. As they have been working on projects - they haven't been in the field managing customers, increasing sales and hitting carrier commitments. Press in & continue to allow your Back Office Support to provide those services for you. It will pay for its self in the long run. No matter how small or large the deal, if your core gifting is in sales - you will spend more time in paperwork and management then you would if you were in the field selling. We continue to offer support for Agents, Partners and Auditors. It is our core & what we pride our selves in.
Consider these as Challenges for your business. Do you have what it takes to give a little to gain all of the things your business is committed on providing for your Customer Support Experience? It isn't about just getting an order in the system, it is about long term relationship building and maintenance.
The Telecom Challenge
(1) Give a little to gain a lot - what does this look like? Giving that time is disappearing, bills are increasing and customers are thinning out, you need to invest in client management. Client management is constant contact with your customers assuring them that you are there for them during these economic times. Invite them to an account review to ensure that their services are up to date and contracts are under the best promotions. Contact them when new promotions are released, but involved in their day to day. Be an advocate on a higher level.
(2) How can someone achieve this when time is so thin and budget is low? Outsourcing this service will provide a great buffer for you & the client. By providing a team of people who are there to support you, your customers and their needs. In fact, we have an entire process dedicated to help you achieve this. If you haven't taken a look at our new support offerings, you should consider them.
(3) Flat rate packages keep you from questioning time vs reward. We have launched a few new plans that are offered on a flat rate basis that will help you budget long term your Client Management Services vs your Back Office/Pm Services. Contact a Representative today to see what this may look like for you. You will be pleased at the affordable package rates.
(4) Some Partners have gone back to the drawing board. When you consider your sales volume, your carrier contracts vs. time, some partners have gone back to project managing & placing their own orders. What they have not seen is the decrease in visibility in the marketplace. As they have been working on projects - they haven't been in the field managing customers, increasing sales and hitting carrier commitments. Press in & continue to allow your Back Office Support to provide those services for you. It will pay for its self in the long run. No matter how small or large the deal, if your core gifting is in sales - you will spend more time in paperwork and management then you would if you were in the field selling. We continue to offer support for Agents, Partners and Auditors. It is our core & what we pride our selves in.
Consider these as Challenges for your business. Do you have what it takes to give a little to gain all of the things your business is committed on providing for your Customer Support Experience? It isn't about just getting an order in the system, it is about long term relationship building and maintenance.
Friday, June 5, 2009
TEM Solutions
Telecom Expense Management is the art of managing carrier invoices on a monthly basis. We can help with some of your small to medium size accounts. With access to customer invoices, we can validate carrier charges, identify any billing issues and make corrections to any errors on a monthly basis. We fully implement corrections and credits on the customers’ behalf. We ensure all changes through completion and guarantee if there is an error, it is rectified.
Our goal is to help you & your customer manage and maintain communication expenses on a monthly basis. You will never have to deal with the dispute process with the carriers moving forward. Most of an organizations communication expenses are related to monthly billing with the telecommunications provider(s). This includes all voice, data, Internet and long distance services.
We require access to view the accounts and a Letter of Authorization, providing us with permission to pursue credits and correct the accounts on the customers' behalf
· We granularly comb through every aspect of a customer's account with each carrier
· We have relationships with most of the large carriers across the United States which has given us the ability to build relationships with the billing teams, order centers and product validation groups
· We have the ability to recover credits for up to 24 months with most carriers
· Our Implementation Staff is in house and is seasoned in process and order management
Each month the customer will receive . . .
· A financial analysis of what is paid - specifically noting if any disputes have been submitted to the carrier for billing errors.
· Reports tailored to customers' internal accounts payable reporting
No matter the size of your customer, we have a solution for you. We also work with TEM providers with database applications for large opportunities as well.
Our goal is to help you & your customer manage and maintain communication expenses on a monthly basis. You will never have to deal with the dispute process with the carriers moving forward. Most of an organizations communication expenses are related to monthly billing with the telecommunications provider(s). This includes all voice, data, Internet and long distance services.
We require access to view the accounts and a Letter of Authorization, providing us with permission to pursue credits and correct the accounts on the customers' behalf
· We granularly comb through every aspect of a customer's account with each carrier
· We have relationships with most of the large carriers across the United States which has given us the ability to build relationships with the billing teams, order centers and product validation groups
· We have the ability to recover credits for up to 24 months with most carriers
· Our Implementation Staff is in house and is seasoned in process and order management
Each month the customer will receive . . .
· A financial analysis of what is paid - specifically noting if any disputes have been submitted to the carrier for billing errors.
· Reports tailored to customers' internal accounts payable reporting
No matter the size of your customer, we have a solution for you. We also work with TEM providers with database applications for large opportunities as well.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Clere Comm Interview with TA
Click this link to hear our audio interview with TA:
http://www.telecomassociation.com/vendor/clerecomm/media/TA_Introduces_Clerecomm1.mp3
http://www.telecomassociation.com/vendor/clerecomm/media/TA_Introduces_Clerecomm1.mp3
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Going GREEN in TELECOM
How can we go Green in Telecom?
Today, people are growing more & more concerned with conservation, carbon footprint, energy efficiency & further protecting the planet. Telecommunication companies have also jumped onto "Go Green". What does this really look like in Telecom & how can we - as business owners make a change in our businesses? Or is this marketing that just makes us "feel good"?
What are Telecom Providers starting to consider?
There is a lot of talk buzzing about reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. Large providers throughout the world are making preparations to take specific actions to improve energy consumption in their "highest energy-consuming" facilities. If you search online, some companies have actually posted their "Carbon Footprint" publically to show measures of their concerns & efforts to reduce it. Some are considering power resources such as solar or wind-powered facilities.
In research I have seen, here are viable ways your company can "Go Green" with IT . . .
Recycle used equipment - seek the rules in local and national laws, research companies with specifically approved licenses to refurbish & reuse existing phone systems, mobiles or IT equipment. Be sure to research & implement the best ways to protect your company information as the equipment you recycle should be whipped clean of anything private or proprietary.
Paperless Office - invest in the equipment and backup/remote backup necessary to ensure limited to no paper/ink materials are utilized on a daily basis. This transition will take time & money, but you can eventually scan all of your paper folders into electronic versions & come close to eliminating the need to paper documents. Most important thing to note is you MUST MUST MUST back up all of your electronic data & files to a local & remote backup source. You should carefully research these options. In most cases, you will have an initial investment, a monthly investment on backup services, but then little to no investment in paper/folders/ink/etc.
Recycle Office Supplies - paper products are most used in offices, which is a great place to start recycling. Consider investing in a shredder & recycle all paper materials you would normally throw in the trash. Like I mentioned previously - be aware of confidential information & the proper ways to destroy that information. Ever considered toner or ink cartriges? Many Office Supply Stores are now providing options to recycle these supplies - some actually have incentives for discounts based on quantity. Other companies offer services which give you the ability to reuse your ink/toner cartridges by getting them refilled. It is a cost effective way to reuse a product. Even consider purchasing recycled products instead of newly manufactured products.
Energy Efficient Lighting - There are light bulbs & different light sources that are supposed to product bright light without the use of as much energy. Consider in investing in the change to these bulbs. They are a bit more expensive, but are made to last longer.
It makes since - really - for everyone to be more aware of the resources that are available & ways to utilize those resources.
Clerecomm uses all 4 of the options noted above - though we will never be a "true" paperless office until the carriers eliminate the need for paper agreements, we are as close as we can be to it. We encourage you at ways to consider how your business supplies are resourced & if you own a large office, building or multiple locations, consider the investment on how to "Go Green" with renewable resources.
Today, people are growing more & more concerned with conservation, carbon footprint, energy efficiency & further protecting the planet. Telecommunication companies have also jumped onto "Go Green". What does this really look like in Telecom & how can we - as business owners make a change in our businesses? Or is this marketing that just makes us "feel good"?
What are Telecom Providers starting to consider?
There is a lot of talk buzzing about reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. Large providers throughout the world are making preparations to take specific actions to improve energy consumption in their "highest energy-consuming" facilities. If you search online, some companies have actually posted their "Carbon Footprint" publically to show measures of their concerns & efforts to reduce it. Some are considering power resources such as solar or wind-powered facilities.
In research I have seen, here are viable ways your company can "Go Green" with IT . . .
Recycle used equipment - seek the rules in local and national laws, research companies with specifically approved licenses to refurbish & reuse existing phone systems, mobiles or IT equipment. Be sure to research & implement the best ways to protect your company information as the equipment you recycle should be whipped clean of anything private or proprietary.
Paperless Office - invest in the equipment and backup/remote backup necessary to ensure limited to no paper/ink materials are utilized on a daily basis. This transition will take time & money, but you can eventually scan all of your paper folders into electronic versions & come close to eliminating the need to paper documents. Most important thing to note is you MUST MUST MUST back up all of your electronic data & files to a local & remote backup source. You should carefully research these options. In most cases, you will have an initial investment, a monthly investment on backup services, but then little to no investment in paper/folders/ink/etc.
Recycle Office Supplies - paper products are most used in offices, which is a great place to start recycling. Consider investing in a shredder & recycle all paper materials you would normally throw in the trash. Like I mentioned previously - be aware of confidential information & the proper ways to destroy that information. Ever considered toner or ink cartriges? Many Office Supply Stores are now providing options to recycle these supplies - some actually have incentives for discounts based on quantity. Other companies offer services which give you the ability to reuse your ink/toner cartridges by getting them refilled. It is a cost effective way to reuse a product. Even consider purchasing recycled products instead of newly manufactured products.
Energy Efficient Lighting - There are light bulbs & different light sources that are supposed to product bright light without the use of as much energy. Consider in investing in the change to these bulbs. They are a bit more expensive, but are made to last longer.
It makes since - really - for everyone to be more aware of the resources that are available & ways to utilize those resources.
Clerecomm uses all 4 of the options noted above - though we will never be a "true" paperless office until the carriers eliminate the need for paper agreements, we are as close as we can be to it. We encourage you at ways to consider how your business supplies are resourced & if you own a large office, building or multiple locations, consider the investment on how to "Go Green" with renewable resources.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Price, Provisioning & Commission Problems Reported at New Online Forum
http://www.telecomassociation.com/vendor/taa/2009_WIR/090501.htm#PM%20forum
Click the link above to view the article about the Project Manager Forum we will co-managing with the Telecom Association.
"By Dan Baldwin, TA Executive Director
TA has created a new online forum where TA members can report pricing, provisioning and commissioning problems they are having with their providers. Click here to access the forum now to read about or report problems.
The "Project Manager (PM) Forum", is for channel partner and telecom agency project managers, owners and other operations personnel so they have an objective "non-sales" place to go to report and solve problems they're having with their carriers, resellers or providers and to see if anyone else is having similar problems.
The PM forum will be moderated by TA member Hollie Clere of Clerecomm, an outsourced provider of operational and administrative services for telecom agencies and providers. "For over six years we've been working with all the major providers to make sure our client's deals are priced, provisioned and paid correctly", stated Hollie Clere. "There are very few pricing, provisioning and commission problems we have not seen an solved. We are honored that TA invited us to share our expertise with TA members by moderating the PM forum."
The PM forum is not conceived to be a "shooting gallery" for agents to take cheap shots at carriers so much as to be a place for everyone to quickly learn about topical problems and the best ways to solve or avoid the problems."
Click the link above to view the article about the Project Manager Forum we will co-managing with the Telecom Association.
"By Dan Baldwin, TA Executive Director
TA has created a new online forum where TA members can report pricing, provisioning and commissioning problems they are having with their providers. Click here to access the forum now to read about or report problems.
The "Project Manager (PM) Forum", is for channel partner and telecom agency project managers, owners and other operations personnel so they have an objective "non-sales" place to go to report and solve problems they're having with their carriers, resellers or providers and to see if anyone else is having similar problems.
The PM forum will be moderated by TA member Hollie Clere of Clerecomm, an outsourced provider of operational and administrative services for telecom agencies and providers. "For over six years we've been working with all the major providers to make sure our client's deals are priced, provisioned and paid correctly", stated Hollie Clere. "There are very few pricing, provisioning and commission problems we have not seen an solved. We are honored that TA invited us to share our expertise with TA members by moderating the PM forum."
The PM forum is not conceived to be a "shooting gallery" for agents to take cheap shots at carriers so much as to be a place for everyone to quickly learn about topical problems and the best ways to solve or avoid the problems."
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