Chuck: This is more of a business feedback vs. the fantastic technical feedback others have provided.
Just to share with you and everyone, I've tried to strategically align myself with Allstream and Bell Canada for different service offerings that would allow me for a monthly residual income. That was "once upon a time". Now that my staff base is larger and stronger, I felt no reason or need to align with either Bell or Allstream. Instead I've partnered with smaller organizations and service providers. Like you, I got a call from Bell ... not an agent, but a Sr. Executive at Bell -- requesting for a meeting to partner and form an official alliance with my company. Following that call, in 2 weeks I received a call from supposedly an Allstream Sr. Executive as well. Over the last 2 months we acquired about a dozen clients strictly through direct marketing/referrals, and have passed on a considerable savings to our clients taking them away from Bell and Allstream. Every organization we have recruited as clients, Bell and Allstream is loosing a minimum of $3,000 annually based on 5 phone line office. When you do the math, and when smaller business organizations find out they have other alternatives, they are happy to explore and bid Bell & Allstream bye bye. Most small organizations want to deal with a smaller company that can provide services. We are not even spending a single dollar in advertising and have been privileged with acquiring clients. Other similar organizations like mine are probably spending considerable time and money advertising hence acquiring more clients. When one does the math, I'm merely a particle of sand in a beach and if we have taken away $30,000+ of annual revenue from Bell & AllStream single handed, imagine what 100 other smaller companies and VoIP consultants can do, partnering with other ITSPs and CLECs. Thanks to the de-regulation of the industry... its provided the smaller guys for greater opportunities... and if the big guns like Bell, Allstream and others are not quick to change -- they will loose millions in revenue. They already are. I've suggested Bell that they seriously think of "residual" income offerings for its agents and not just a stupid one time commission, and to have better pricing. Bell realizes that they are loosing money. But I think they are also missing the point. Partnering with me and 100 others organizations like mine -- will not win them clients. Consultants are not stupid and clients and consumers are smarter than what Bell & Rogers would like to think or treat. They (clients & consumers) will go and do business with other smaller organizations they can trust and deal with. >From your recent experience with Bell and my recent experience with the executives, its no doubt the big guns are feeling the heat from the little guys. My two cents. Cheers! Reza. --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
