The Future of Technology and Telecom for Small to Large Businesses

We can already see the steady increase of businesses heading towards the Cloud. There’s been a steep rise in mobile devices (BYOD) as well, getting employees independent of their cubicles and desks. Right now the emphasis for businesses is becoming more efficient with an ability to keep pace or be ahead of technology while meeting budget requirements and a fluctuating economy. Cloud computing and technology can offer a business all of that- of course a business should consult a Telecommunications Agent before adopting Cloud services. https://nwmap.com/contact-us

Gartner says, “As cloud adoption expands, IT departments will have to create “cloud services brokerages” to serve as a central focus for managing access to external services.  http://www.infoworld.com/d/mobile-technology/gartners-top-10-tech-trends-2013-205522?page=0,1 With Cloud Computing small businesses can communicate and run business as large organizations do. They can compete because the Cloud is cheap considering all that it offers. And large businesses stand to benefit with harnessing the power of mobile/off-site employees or specific departments who have a variety of needs and of course there’s implementation of effective disaster recovery. The

 

Business Leadership; Do You Qualify?

With the ongoing elections beating at the heart of America, making a decision about who will be our leader comes to mind. What makes a good leader? We’ve seen this age-old question, maybe mulled it over, for as long as we’ve been in the business of business. There are theories, there are tests even, but leadership evolves and changes with the business culture and atmosphere of today….and tomorrow? As usual this is yet another aspect of business when what works today may not work tomorrow.

Leaders in various industries stand out to us…some are role models, others may have gotten that far by happenstance. Either way, people are beginning to mull this question over again so let’s take a thoughtful look into it. Often times we think of a boss or CEO as a good leader, or the obvious leader, but the ability to lead does not come with the highest ranking position. So what qualifies someone, in general, as a leader?

  1. Balance of positive versus negative. Is this a 50/50 percentage of good and bad? No. research has shown just one negative comment takes about five positive ones to counteract. This also applies to constructive criticism- lead with the good followed by constructive advice.
  2. Communicate effectively. Ask questions about how people perceive what you’ve communicated to them. Don’t assume that you are leader and everyone needs to learn your communication style. This also means co-workers communicating well with each other and within the organization you lead.
  3. Don’t be too busy…for anyone or anything. The problem with getting too busy is things begin to get overlooked. Maybe you forgot to tell an outstanding employee how good they did. Little things like that effect big things like performance.
  4. Always invest in people…clients and employees. People are your business no matter what business you’re in. In the age of Internet and lack of face to face encounters, one thing still remains, people are the face and voice of your business so make personal meeting and customer reviews a regular part of your business.
  5. Learn from mistakes. Sometimes it’s helpful learning from your competitior’s mistakes or another business, but you will always remember the mistakes you made so that is naturally great, and memorable, learning material. All CEO’s will confess to having to learn through some hard-earned whoops.

Approaching the Topic of Sales Approaches

Businesses know more than ever today, thanks to the Internet. They know what their problems are and often times the solutions as well. Then the right sales agent comes to the rescue, but is this the only way to sell? Shouldn’t you be one step ahead of your clients with your sales approach. Most businesses are learning to be- with new services, innovative products, businesses are trying to anticipate their customers’ needs before it comes to their attention. Bet you didn’t know you needed an iPad, but now you can’t imagine not using it. How about mobile access to the Internet? As consumers, we had no idea we needed these products and services and now they’re practically a necessity.

Elite sales professionals report they don’t just sell more effectively—they sell differently. Perhaps one step ahead. There’s the thought that improving one’s sales strategies boost sales, but changing the way they sell altogether is often the key to higher performance.

  • Engage customers much earlier, well before customers fully understand their own needs. Sometimes this requires finding their problems before they can define it.
  • Discover a personal outcome for the buyer as well.  People still buy based on personal decisions.
  • More creativity is needed for solutions- get creative and think of things your customer hasn’t.  This also involves knowing your product well and asking questions.

NW MAP has the tools to help you be a successful Telecommunications Agent. Contact us today: https://nwmap.com/contact-us/become-an-agent

 

BYOD; The Good, The Bad, and The Divided

Almost as dramatic as the 1966 Clint Eastwood western (The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly) is the talk and opinions about the BYOD (Bring your own device) revolution. I think the lesson learned, as in the western, is to be ahead of the game… at least 10 steps ahead. As a business leader (perhaps CIO, entrepreneur, and otherwise), certainly knowing the benefits and risks of BYOD is key. For Telecom Agents, being knowledgeable is always profitable.

With the Smartphone/ iPhones, tablets, and laptops, people can do business any time, from anywhere. In fact tablets outsold PC’s or desktops last year. Website visits are coming from mobile users.

Similar to the Cloud, a business really needs to have a strategy in place before adopting BYOD practices, evaluating the pros and cons to determine (and deal with) security risks. Basically, the benefits must outweigh the risks.

The debates continue:

  • Employee
    chooses device versus controlling the types of devices and uses.
  • Going mobile versus chained to a desk.
  • More productive versus more risk.
  • Effectiveness versus costs of networks and other cost for usage.
  • Employee empowerment and choices versus lack of IT support

How to decide:

  1. First question is…’Is it doable?” Find out from a Telecom Agent at NW MAP if BYOD is manageable and appropriate for your business (type of business and/or size).
  2. Employee surveys- finding out who would use them and what they think about it. Some research has shown employees would accept a lower paying job if able to use their own devices.

How to do it:

  1. Talk to your Telecom Broker or Agent.
  2. The current thought and what many businesses are allowing is BYOD but with limited support. Issues with this is of course security but also employee satisfaction with limited support. Allowed with full IT support is optimal, but your choices are not allowing it, allowing with minimal support, allowing with full support, and allowing with no support.
  3. Check and evaluate network capacity. Most people using BYOD have 2-3 devices.
  4. Money! Realize BYOD will not eliminate costs, but rather place them in areas of support functions rather than devices.

With BYOD, it seems employee satisfaction varies – employees either love it or hate it. Truth is, companies want, no need, their employees to be connected, especially to what is
happening now…information and communication at the speed of light. Employers are equally on the fence as about 40% of companies allow it.

Contact a NW MAP Telecom Agent: https://nwmap.com/contact-us

 

With BYOD, it seems employee satisfaction varies – employees either love it or hate it. Truth is, companies want, no need, their employees to be connected, especially to what is
happening now…information and communication at the speed of light. We’ll see how it all unfolds.

Support your Veterans; A Worthy Cause

Hunting with Heroes and Night of the Patriot!  Hunting with Heroes and an event called Night of the Patriot is a three day event beginning on October 12th with Hunting with Heroes, where 45 veterans will get the opportunity to hunt and fish in Klickitat County.   The event will conclude with Night of the Patriot, a community event recognizing local veterans.  Night of the Patriot, held at the Pearson Air Museum in Vancouver, WA, will consist of a concert, food, sponsor booths and children’s activities.  Along with sponsors and VIP attendees, community members are invited to attend the Night of the Patriot. There will also be military personnel and local dignitaries at the event

Hunting with Heroes was sparked by an idea to create a unique environment for veterans to connect and be honored through an executive level outdoor experience. We have set out to establish a venue that will bring veterans of all ages to the great outdoors.

After a remarkable weekend of hunting and fishing, our veterans will be escorted back to Vancouver, WA in presidential fashion, led by the Patriot Guard riders, to the Pearson Air. Museum near historic Fort Vancouver. The Night of the Patriot is a free community concert that will start at 4:00pm Sunday, October 14th and will be open to all families of active military, veterans, leaders of the community and the general public. Your support in these events allows us to provide an executive level outdoor experience to our veterans and to recognize veterans in our community. Not only will they experience great hunting and fishing, but the camaraderie with fellow veterans will provide a healing experience and a welcome home that they have long deserved. We appreciate your partnership and continued commitment to honor veterans throughout our community.

Please reach out and support your Veteran. For more info contact info@nwmap.com or jessica.Tetz@sayfrog.com

Thank you! From NW MAP