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.

What is Innovation and Why is Everyone Talking about it?

From CIO’s to entrepreneurs to tech gurus, the new word of the hour (or millisecond in Internet land) is Innovation. Why is it suddenly popular? For some of us who remember “it” words of the past like synergy (wasn’t that a cool sounding word…rolls right off the toungue), innovation may mean nothing more to you than a passing buzz word. Who starts these fads anyway? What is innovation and why is it important to you? We want to take the time to answer this…we were curious as well.

Let’s just go straight to the facts on why you should care about innovation or innovative. The simple answer is, well it’s a catch word right now. Jumping to the numbers game- this word is highly searched on search engines, but if you’ve got better things to do than play the numbers game on Google (SEO optimization), say running your business, then we’ll explain more specifically why innovation is important.

The back story: Literally, innovation differs from invention in that innovation refers to the use of a better and/or novel idea or method, whereas invention refers more directly to the creation of the idea or method itself. Innovation differs from improvement in that innovation refers to the notion of doing something different rather than just better. Now you know the basics. When I first learned about innovation, it was used in reference to Steve Jobs who didn’t necessarily invent new products, he just made them different and exciting…and innovative. Now that Steve is gone, his innovative legend is thriving. This really is the day and age for innovative because the wheel can’t be re-invented, not many people are inventing absolutely new things, but re-creating is where it’s at.

In the land of social media and cyberspace catch words mean a lot to your business and reputation. This is one way clients and consumers know you are on top of things…even if it is a fad. Things change in an instant online, and it’s important your customers believe you are riding the wave as well. You put that word, innovative, included in a tag line about your products or services and you’ve got people interested. Innovation has a lot to do with technology and technology isn’t going anywhere soon.

**If you want to be more innovative, you’d better get in touch with your creative side- turns out that’s where innovation lies within us.

Elle Izett, Contributing Blogger at NW MAP Telecom

On the topic of innovation, NW MAP Telecom is searching for agents; innovative ones! The opportunity to work for yourself in a rewarding field is right here. Please contact us about becoming a Telecom Agent: https://nwmap.com/contact-us/become-an-agent

Telecom in The News: July 2012

The talk on Telecom still seems to be focused on BYOD- and the verdict is mixed. The conclusion for us on this topic is basically a buyer beware scenario. Know what you’re getting into. This really can have it’s advantages but if a company is not prepared for incorporating this type of work style, it can be a disaster.

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/80736

http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/converg/2012/070912convergence1.html

Same can be said about the cloud- great technology, some major pluses for small companies as well, but get educated on it. Best way to know if it fits your business needs specifically is inquiring with your NW MAP Agents: https://nwmap.com/contact-us

CenturyLink is accepting a $35 million grant from the FCC’s  Connect America Fund (CAF) to deploy broadband service to 45,000 homes in  rural areas that are deemed “unserved.”

Read more: http://www.fiercetelecom.com/story/centurylink-gets-35m-fcc-caf-funding-broadband-expansion/2012-07-25

Windstream talks about their new service. They believe their Professional Bundle will give SMBs the same IP-based  service capabilities as large businesses. “Many small businesses do not have the specialized staff to support their IT  needs, nor the design team to build and maintain their own websites,” said Don  Perkins, vice president of business marketing, Windstream, in a release  announcing the new service. “With Windstream’s Professional Bundle, we help  customers significantly reduce expense and complexity associated with computer  repair and website maintenance.”

Read more: http://www.fiercetelecom.com/story/windstream-serves-it-telecom-service-bundles-smbs/2012-07-05

 

Customer Care; NWMAP Perfect Fit Telecom

February is right around the corner and it’s time to show the love…and genuine appreciation for your customers. Of course all year round there should be special emphasis on clients and their specific needs- that’s the focus at NWMAP. We refer to it as Perfect Fit Telecom. We’ve always valued a customer from beginning and ongoing throughout our relationship with them. They get the same level of customer service before we sell anything as they would at any time after we’ve sold a product or service. How many bsuinesses care about the customer after they’ve sold them something? This is key! This is how NWMAP Telecom has always done business.

Customer care is a long-term relationship with you and your client(s). It’s caring about what they need specifically in the beginning, really understanding their needs before the sale. It’s knowing what they want and then doing everything you can to make that happen or to make it better- better price, better technology, better fit. Clients want to know they will still be important down the road; being able to ask questions and get updates as needed, not to slip by the wayside.

Ways to improve customer care:

  • Offer something free before they buy.
  • Keep in contact periodically.
  • Make it easy for them to contact you.
  • Ask open-ended questions.
  • Do not use business slang or tech buzz words.
  • Offer them what you would offer new customers- promotions, deals, and good service.
  • Be their solution.

 

Telecom News

NWMAP follows the latest Telecom news and wants to recognize several of our preferred carriers in the news. We stay updated and we want you to also. The following are links to wonderful and informative articles, news, and blogs.

Our carriers in the news:

Telecom technology:

We also like: http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/rich-tehrani/

Look for regularly updated Telecommunications technology information on NWMAP Telecom Brokers’ website Blog. Thank you for your support.