Client Versus Sales

There is a sense of accomplishment of really doing what is right for the client versus having the burden of selling something that is not the best fit for the client. The focus is on one or the other in any typical company involving sales. We notice it when we shop at specific stores- some are there to sell you something…anything! They may talk you into products you aren’t even looking for.  And some associates are there to help you find what you specifically want or need- they are there for YOU. The latter takes patience, experience, and communication.

These differences in customer service and sales approaches can be identified in the telecom industry.  There are sales agents whose primary goal is to sell you services and/or products- that’s it. They will not likely take into consideration precisely what you need and want for your business. They would also like to close a sell with you as quickly as possible, not searching for specific products and packages complimentary to your needs at the lowest pricing available. The lower the price the lower their sales commission; basically, their goal versus your goal! Their job depends on selling you something you don’t need. They don’t stand to make as much money helping you in the future either- you may never talk to them again. Another common trait among sales agents with superficial goals is a lack of experience. Anybody with experience knows the customer must be the focus, at first contact and all through the sales process into the future as well.

NWMAP has been in the Unified Communications and Telecom industry for numerous years, but they still consider themselves customer service experts first and foremost. Lennie Green, a current Master Agent for NWMAP states: “My success comes from helping my customers be successful.”

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Telecom Broker

Outstanding  customer service is what a Telecom agency should be all about. Telecom Agents/Brokers can possess impressive telecommunications verbiage and tech speak, but experience and customer service dedication outweigh tech speak any day. It’s like judging a book by it’s cover- don’t be fooled. The telecom business is crawling with sales agents and each one wants to impress you with their spiel. How do you make a wise decision without being persuaded by a well-articulated tech spiel about products and/or services you don’t need?

Believe it or not, being aware about customer service practices and your expectations is more important than being tech savvy when choosing a  Telecommunications Broker. Another helpful tip; Choosing your Telecom Agency (MasterAgency) should be done prior to deciding on which Unified Communications/ Telecom Carriers you are interested in. Questions to ask yourself and a Telecom Broker:

  1. How much experience? How long has the Telecom Agency been in business and also how long have the Master Agents been working there?
  2. Are they concerned with providing a specific plan for YOUR business?
  3. When I have an issue, who will be there to answer my questions?
  4. In what part of the process is my Telecom Broker involved in?
  5. Do I have to pay for a quote from the Telecom Broker?

These questions will give you an optimal head start. Because there are so many consistently new Unified Communications products and services available to your business, the determining factors for where you take your business and who you trust comes down to experience and superb customer service.

NWMAP offers free quotes, customer service first promise, and agents with 20+ years experience individually.

Unified Communications and Security

We often hear about security issues on our facebook or twitter account, but what about the security and potential risks within your own business. Truth is, it’s not a common topic of discussion unless it’s the foremost concern for a reason (security breach or malfunction) and/or you are designing a new data/information system specific to your business. Either way, a solid plan can only be accomplished if both you and your Telecom Broker are working together to prevent potential risks or keep some from never occurring…again.

If nothing has ever happened, it can give you a false sense of security and just because you have an updated Unified Communications system, doesn’t mean you are protected. There is always some level of risk, but you must decide what is acceptable for your business. Everyone must be on board; Business owner, IT Manager, Telecom decision makers, CIO, and anyone else who might be able to communicate to your Telecom Broker the best Unified Communications plan for your business. Telecom brokers can help you decide who has access to what information, who has limited access, what data is monitored and managed by who.

It is typical for a Telecom Broker to offer you solutions, but you need to offer information about your enterprise’s specific risks and issues. Doing so will put your bsuiness at a lower level of risk. It only takes one time; security issues can wreak havoc on a business. Ask a Telecom Broker at NWMAP about including VoIP and SIP trunking in your network security policies.

sources: http://unified-communications.tmcnet.com/unified-communications/departments/articles/114537-sip-trunking-unified-communications-security-what-need-know.htm

NWMAP November 2010 Packages and Promotions

NWMAP is always current on the latest unified communications packages and promotions for your business.  Our ongoing relationships with numerous carriers puts us at an advantage for following the best deals every month.

NOVEMBER PROMOTIONS:

AireSpring- Offering cash bonuses for packages including:  http://www.agentstar.net/monthlypromo/nov10/promo1110.html

  • Network and SIP LD
  • Long Distance SIP Trunking
  • MPLS Port
  • Network Local/ Integrated T-1/Local SIP Trunking

Rio Networks– new hosted phone packages. Rio Networks has announced their 2010 promotional packages. The network wide upgrades have begun and promotions are available now through the end of 2010.  http://www.rionetworks.com/

NW MAP can assist you in taking advantage of the highly recommended “Octal Pack” for $339, in other words we shop for you and help you find exactly what you need at a great price, which includes:

  • 3 Mbps Data
  • 8 phone lines
  • 1500 minutes of LD

*Hardware, installation, and support included. Other synchronis Data available to add to the Octal Pack. 

RIO Network’s additional features: 99.999% Reliable Network, 100% Redundant Ethernet and TDM (Time division multiplexing) Ring, Tier 1 Internet, SIP enabled, NO single point of failure.

Integra Telecom- Integra Telecom’s  business phone line systems and Internet services  are combined in one hassle-free package. http://www.integratelecom.com/

Broadband Bundle includes:

  • Business Phone Lines
  • Internet Service
  • Calling Features
  • Premium Voicemail
  • Unlimited Long Distance
  • Audio Conferencing
  • Email and Web Hosting 
  • 10 GB Online Data Storage: Storage and back-up of crucial files.

Contact a NWMAP agent for specific questions, packages, and promotions. https://nwmap.com/services

Building Redundancy Into Wide Area Network (WAN) with MPLS

Whether your business is large or small, you realize business is still running even in the off hours, 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the internet. The need for continuity and availability is crucial for success. Building a redundant network is one of the smartest strategies you can use to combat unexpected issues, such as inopportune site maintenance or other unforeseen down time and failures within your network.

Many vendors, or carriers, offer a variety of products to implement into your existing network. Even if you have a plan for creating a redundant network, ordering through a vendor can be tedious and time consuming, especially if you don’t know exactly what you want. There really isn’t any wiggle room for mistakes because, as I mentioned above, business is running constantly. The Telecom Brokers at NWMAP will listen to your needs, orders products specific to those needs, and install, as well as maintain this more efficient way of keeping your business competitive.

For many, the choice of redundant networks is a MPLS (Multiprotocol Label System). MPLS can be the best resource for building network redudancy in a wide area network (WAN) for several reasons. First, better security and survivability during those unexpected events we discussed above. MPLS offers hands-down better performance for your buck. It’s smart- yes, it’s true MPLS uses class of service and priority queuing, which means it recognizes your most important traffic and prioritizes it. Other benefits include consolidations and simplifications, which to a business translates into lower overall cost and increased efficiency- all in a day’s work.