Rural Telecommunications articles from July 2004

Rural Telecommunications archives from July 2004

Shaking things up.(From the Editor)(innovation in customer service)(Editorial)
July 1, 2004... While the old saying, "because we've always done it that way," has found a secure niche in many a business philosophy, deep down, most decision makers acknowledge at least a fundamental flaw in that approach. "Because we've always done it...

Online spending spree.(Short Takes)
July 1, 2004... Americans are taking online shopping to new heights, with consumer spending jumping nearly 19% in the past year, translating into a whopping $1.6 billion in 2003. Seasonal spending is the trend, with the third quarter of 2003 peaking at $407...

Debunking life-balance myths.(Short Takes)(five o'clock club)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... When creating policy to help employees balance work and home life, companies would do well first to set straight the following common myths, according to the Five O'Clock Club, a national career-counseling and outplacement firm: Myth 1:...

Keeping track of time.(Short Takes)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... With resources crunched and employees being squeezed to take on more responsibilities, workers certainly seem to be busy. But are they? A newly revised time-tracking device called the TimeCorder helps businesses answer that question by...

Productive days.(Short Takes)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 1, 2004... Days employees are most productive, according to corporate executives Tuesday 51% Monday 17% Wednesday 15% Don't know 11% Thursday 5% Friday 1% (Source: Accountemps survey of 150 U.S....

The work week.(Short Takes)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 1, 2004... Position Average Hours Worked per Week Independent consultant 63 Sales manager 50 Truck drivers on local delivery...

Meetings.(Short Takes)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 1, 2004... Percent of executives who are "bothered a lot" by various meeting dynamics: People drifting off 83% subject Lack of preparation 77% Questionable effectiveness 74% People not listening 67% ...

Ringing in the tunes.(Short Takes)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... Can't get enough of a favorite CD? Take a 30-second snippet from a song and turn it into mobile phone ring "tune." Offered by mobile media start-up [www.primetones.com], the Web site, according to the company, is the first to offer the Snip 'n...

Casual surfing.(Short Takes)(IOGEAR inc)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Not being shy about it, consumers unabashedly admit to surfing the Internet via Wi-Fi in their underwear. This revelation comes from a study conducted by IOGEAR Inc., a Wi-Fi connectivity and peripheral manufacturer. In an online poll of...

To congress: don't slight RLECs in telecom act rewrite.(Perspective)(rural local exchange carrier)
July 1, 2004... As Congress begins hearings to review the possible rewrite of the Communications Act, it is imperative that during this process they hear loud and clear the voice of rural America. The telecommunications industry has seen unprecedented...

How do you use your Web site to complement your business?(First Person)
July 1, 2004... As the number of Internet subscribers continues to swell, it becomes increasingly important for rural telcos to use the World Wide Web as a medium for reaching their current and potential customers. How are NTCA members using their company Web...

Television over the telephone lines.(Now Playing)(video content services vs cable television)(Cover Story)
July 1, 2004... When cable television first hit the scene in the mid-80s, it didn't take people in rural America long to figure out the equation that cable operators used in determining whether an area was a potential target market. "If there are more...

Mapping the customer point of view.(Role Reversal)
July 1, 2004... IS YOUR TELCO EASY TO DO BUSINESS WITH? How do you know? Don't be fooled by customer satisfaction surveys. Even satisfied customers may encounter obstacles, or "points of pain," in some of their dealings with your company. Others may not...

Converting print publications to the Web.(Going Online)
July 1, 2004... It's a link with the image of the Statue of Liberty. Click on "Support Our Local Military," and the "Military Roll of Honor" appears. First up is Michael McGuire, 101st Airborne. The paragraph describes him as "the guy holding the flag" in the...

Is it time for a redesign? So, you built your own Web site, or you had a colleague, or maybe even your best friend, build one for you. Congratulations for taking the first step.(Web Site Review)
July 1, 2004... In the past, it may have been enough to "have a Web site." That alone was a big step for a small company with limited funds. It was (and still is) a necessary step in promoting your business, because a Web site is yet another marketing tool...

The changing face of the future work force.(Closing the Generation Gap)
July 1, 2004... Rural telephone companies across the country are experiencing a new challenge as many longtime employees reach retirement age. They now are forced to hire younger staff to fill the positions of those who have moved on to the next phase of their...

Carolina West Wireless: a study in rural site protection.(Tech Talk)
July 1, 2004... In taking measures to enhance its network's reliability, Carolina West Wireless (Wilkesboro, N.C.) has found that altering cellular site grounding and protection is helping it cost-effectively deploy new technology, enhance site protection,...

The board's role in leading strategic change.(Business Matters)
July 1, 2004... One of the key characteristics of "high-impact" governing boards--for telcos, hospitals, universities, national associations and other nonprofit and for-profit organizations--is that they concentrate, above all else, on their governing work. So...

Can excellent customer service lead to failure?(Risk Manager)
July 1, 2004... What do insurance and telecommunications companies have in common? This is a loaded question; at the root of both types of businesses exist many of the same foundations and principals. The answer in this case: both strive to provide excellent...

Protecting rural interests in the Telecom Act.(Executive Viewpoint)
July 1, 2004... As you may have read in this issue's Perspective column, change is in the air. Congress is taking steps to begin rewriting the 1996 Telecommunications Act, and carriers, large and small, are vying to ensure their interests are included in the...