Russ Herman

Small win..... We just acquired b1communications.com. We're still going to be a .ca company. We're 100% #Canadian after all.. But it's a small win to protect our company, and ensure customers aren't redirected if they type .com into the URL. It's important to protect your brand, and owning the .com is one small way of accomplishing this goal.

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If you are a Channel Manager struggling to meet your quota, you will benefit from a Methodology that teaches you strategies to boost your sales numbers. Visit our website to register for our webinar where we walk through the industry's first-ever Methodology. See you on June 4th!

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Social media is a very scary place for ISP marketers to be. What ever the opposite of a fan page is, those exist on social media for large ISPs in Canada (with significant engagement). There's no surprise that our company, from day 1, has focused on closing the #digitaldivide by providing: 1. Local customer service; 2. Internet that is so fast you don't know what to do with it (but you very quickly do); and 3. Reliability. As such, we love social media. ♥️ I made this quick post outlining every comment made from a community inquiry. A few things: ✅ "Following" tells Bryce Way and Chris Smallwood that someone else is interested ✅ The Starlinks comment is probably from someone outside the town limits. But, if not, they will eventually find out that our services have significantly more value (at a fraction of the price). ✅ Someone asking about TV, which we have do have! 🙏

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Robocalling Dream Team: Eric J. Troutman, Czar of TCPA; and Alex Quilici, CEO YouMail Inc. TADSummit 2024 https://lnkd.in/enUiCzqc Combined, these presentations and discussions are the best I've experience on #robocalling. If you are placing calls in the US you must be up to date. That is why I find TCPA World (https://tcpaworld.com/) so important to follow. Consent is the hot topic, and if its marketing messages there must be express written consent, if it's information a lower level of express content, which can be oral. But the consent needs about 15 components to meet TCPA requirements. If you're in violation, the fines are $500-$1500 per call, and if you're making millions of calls, that's bankruptcy. Alex Quilici's 3 mandates: 1) Any autodialed call must leave a compliance voicemail. This targets the annoying 2.5B robocall hangups per month. It raises the robocaller's costs and improves targeting of the robocallers who do not leave a VM. Eric likes Alex's idea, and raises a key point the leaving a VM increases the regulatory scrutiny. This will need to be rationalized with the FCC's requirements on voice messages. 2) Carriers must actively monitor for illegal and unlawful behavior. This targets 1.5B robocalls per month. YouMail have a great solution for this. There are costs to comply, but action is required as I pay my carrier for the PSTN service, which is highly degraded from 20 years ago. 3) Make consent about a telephone number. This targets the 1B+ calls made without consent. Alex was worried Eric may object to this idea. However, he thinks its innovative, and customer experience will be key, as we do not remember phone numbers anymore. The above 3 ideas can be implemented quickly and potentially impacts 4 to 5B robocalls per month. Of course the scammers will discover new work arounds. For example hammering SMS harder. But this is a whack-a-mole game, there is no alternative to whacking. There a great discussion from 46 minutes on, where we discuss the ideas, and additional steps to consider, such a receipts for consent. Combined, these presentations and discussions are the best I've experience on robocalling. Vonage, Ericsson, Nokia, Unifonic, BT Group, Bandwidth Inc., Sinch, Telesign, VOX SOLUTIONS, GMS, iBASIS, LINK Mobility, BICS, CardBoardFish, a CLX Communications Company, Route Mobile Limited, Giovanni Tarone, Augnet, Ken Herron, Alex Kinch, Lyle Pratt, Nikhil Gupta, Paul Sweeney, Sebastian Schumann, Matteo Gatta, Holly Depies, Matthew D. Smith, Federal Communications Commission, Puja J. Amin

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One thing stands out after three decades in telecom: people remember their first coach. That person who advocated for them, who showed up when they needed them, the one who treated them like they mattered. And in customer service, that’s exactly what we should strive to be: advocates and coaches for our clients. Why? Because people crave support and guidance. They want to know someone is in their corner, especially when making tough decisions. When clients see you as a trusted advisor rather than just a vendor, they’re more likely to turn to you when they need help, knowing you’ll provide honest insights and support. Your relationship becomes less transactional and more personal. So, how do you become a customer advocate? By following these steps: • 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁: Understand their needs before jumping in with solutions. • 𝗕𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿: Celebrating their wins lets them know you're in their corner. • 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗹: Share the specialized knowledge you have so they can make informed decisions. • 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗨𝗽 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆: A quick check-in call, text, or email goes a long way in showing you care. When clients feel supported and understood, they’re not just likely to stick around – they’ll also spread the word. And you'll find that you've built a community, not just a customer base. #CustomerService #ClientAdvocacy

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Revolutionize Your Business With IoT and Rogers Business! 💼 Unlocking Opportunities With Rogers' robust network infrastructure and innovative solutions, Canadian businesses can leverage IoT to drive efficiency, cut costs, and deliver exceptional experiences. 📶 Rogers: Enabling IoT Innovation Rogers is more than just a telecom provider; we are your strategic ally in navigating the complexities of IoT implementation. Our reliable connectivity and advanced platforms empower you to unleash the full capabilities of IoT technology. 🚀 Key Benefits for Businesses Innovative Solutions: Rogers offers cutting-edge IoT solutions tailored to your specific industry needs. Data Insights: Harness actionable insights from IoT data to optimize operations and drive strategic decisions. Scalability: Rogers' scalable infrastructure ensures seamless integration and growth as your IoT ecosystem expands. Security: With Rogers, you can trust in robust security measures to protect your IoT deployments from cyber threats. 🌐 Join the Movement As IoT continues to reshape industries, now is the time for professionals like us to lead the charge. Let's collaborate, innovate, and drive the future of business in Canada with IoT and Rogers Network. Learn More Below! #IoT #Rogers #ConnectedBusiness #Innovation #5G #FutureTech #CanadaBusiness #Connectivity https://lnkd.in/gP6Zv2_p

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Communicating worldwide doesn't have to be expensive 😉👍 PeerOne's VOIP plans are crafted for every need and budget. Start saving today! 🌍 peerone.ca/pricing #fyp #fyppage #voipbusiness #voipresidential #voip #voipsolutions #peeronevoip #neverexpensive #affordablevoip #affordablevoipcalls

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Hundreds of telecom vendors. All selling the same thing. Who do you choose? The one with the deepest pockets for fancy dinners? Or the one who picks up the phone when you're in a crisis? Let's be real. When your network is down, you don't care about that expensive steak you had last month. You need someone who: 1. Answers the phone 2. Knows their stuff 3. Solves your problem fast But here's the kicker: Most vendors focus on wining and dining. Few invest in top-notch support teams. Why? Because support isn't sexy. It doesn't win awards. It doesn't make for cool LinkedIn posts. But it's what matters when things go south. So, next time you're choosing a telecom vendor, ask yourself: "Who'll be there when I really need them?" Because in telecom, the real MVP isn't the one buying you drinks. It's the one keeping your business running when everyone else has gone home. Choose wisely. Your future self will thank you.

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Choosing a CRM is no joke. I learned this the hard way. After years with the same system, I had to switch. Why? Poor support. The aftermath? • 212,000+ emails moved • Thousands of tasks transferred • Countless call records shifted It was a nightmare. A complete mess. But here's what I learned: 1. Research thoroughly Don't just pick the first option. 2. Prioritize customer support It can make or break your experience. 3. Plan for scalability Your needs will grow. Can your CRM keep up? 4. Test before committing Free trials are your friend. 5. Consider integration capabilities Your CRM should play nice with other tools. The right CRM can streamline your business. The wrong one? It can bring everything to a screeching halt. Don't make my mistake. Choose wisely. Your future self will thank you. What's your CRM horror story? Share below. Let's learn from each other.

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Did you know that vehicles remain the number one source of carbon emissions worldwide? And idling wastes money and natural resources - fuel costs alone consume upwards of 39% of an organization's fleet budget. TELUS IoT Fleet solutions help reduce your organization's carbon footprint, lower your long-term costs and help improve compliance with emissions regulations. Learn more about the business and environmental benefits of green fleet: https://rb.gy/4k2hjk #EarthMonth #FleetManagement #Sustainability

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BROADBAND & FIBRE: Although the number of markets with traditional co-ax based high-speed internet is dwindling, I still think its worthwhile sharing how Bell in Canada are challenging competitors such as Rogers / Shaw and others based on their internet performance vs. FTTH. I love the idea of 'May the lag be with you' just to reinforce the difference in latency of copper based co-ax vs. all fibre networks such as those now offered by Bell and the concept of the 'Cable Emperor' given the power and dominance of incumbent cable operators in many markets. Bell Canada, CTV, May 2024 #bell #bellcanada #cable #fibre #internet #fiber #canada #tvcommercial

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Is your Telecom Expense Management (TEM) staying afloat or sinking your budget? 🚤⚓ Don't settle for less than you were promised. We audit your telecom, wireless and SaaS expenses, and find 35% savings on average. If we don't find savings, you don't pay. Schedule your audit at Digital Direction today and stop the leak in your finances! https://lnkd.in/gqFTkbux #CostEfficiency #AuditYourTEM

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I was recently asked why the last 3 customers left B1 Communications, Business VoIP Provider. It's a painful question. It's so hard not to take customer cancellations personally. We all perfer to focus on the wins, the accomplishments. That being said, we are privileged with incredibly loyal customers who (mostly) love us. Our cancellation rate is very low, attributed by our customer support and committment to their business. For those curious, the last 3 customers left us with the following reasons. 1. This business closed down. It was a very sad day for their whole team. 2. Our customers business was acquired. The company wanted their provider to take care of their new business. 3. We failed. The customer had an incredibly complex firewall (far more restrictive than we've seen in 10 years) and after countless hours of troubleshooting, advanced adjustments & collaboration - we failed. It was mutually decided that VoIP phones might not be the best fit for their business. It's never easy to fail a customer like this.

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The RMA Canada 2024 Conference is approaching fast!⚡ A great way to stay informed and connect with peers & industry leaders is to download the Whova app. Registration is still open, but Early Bird pricing is now ending on Thanksgiving Monday 🦃 Make sure you register today! #RMACanada #RMACanadaConference2024 #FutureProofingRisk #NavigatingInTomorrowsWorld

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The Channel Advisors™ is 1 Year Old! So we decided to give the channel a gift. Ever misplaced a registration? Going to Channel Partners Events and want to know who is having a party when? Trying to plan an event and don't want to compete with everyone else? Visit our website and click on The Channel Calendar in the header to see all the events going on the channel. Fill out the event form if you dont see your event on the list. Do you need other ways to search or have suggestions on how to make this better? Please provide suggestion below!

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Go Oilers! As we wait in anticipation here in Canada, to see if the Oilers can win game 4 of the NHL finals and extend the series, I’m reminded of the impressive Inbuilding / DAS system we installed in this great arena in 2016. It took 8 months and an impressive team of 20+ telecom techs, rope access areial workers, electricians, and a collaborative effort between the our managers and the stakeholders management team to deliver one of the biggest Inbuilding systems Canada has ever furnished. We did this as a team willing and eager to overcome obstacles, work through difficult situations and stringent deadlines and expectations. This is one of our proudest builds we’ve ever done, and my heart and hat goes out to those who worked with us on this. It also makes me reflect on the insurmountable challenges and changes that our economy, our industry and our Country has experienced since this original build, and the hundreds since. It is becoming more and more difficult to be victorious in the Canadian cellular marketplace. The telecom drought in Canada has hurt so many businesses, especially those that are dependent on this marketplace primarily, and the workload being given to only a few select companies nationwide. I have spoken to so many medium sized businesses in this space that are desperate to get a win. I also see this same need in our economy and Country in general, with so many people struggling to make ends meet. We all need a little win… We here at the Tall City Telecom family, along with our counterparts throughout the country, remain dedicated to improving our industry, with an end goal of improving working condition, working hours, regulation and the field workers side of the industry’s finacial health. Let’s unit as a Country tonight to wish the Oilers a victory and send this series to game 5! Canada could use it! #GoOilers, #Oilers, #Canada, #Telecom, #Wireless, #TallCityTelecom, #AerialWorkers, #Edmonton, #Alberta

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This is a great case study from last year's #F1 race, demonstrating the incredible potential of advanced technologies like #5G private mobile networks, #MEC and #AI. I'm excited to see how these technologies will further enable remarkable advances in telerobotics and remote operations for Canadian businesses! Read the full case study here: https://spr.ly/60475d5Fx #IWorkAtBell

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