Rural Telecommunications articles from July 2006

Rural Telecommunications archives from July 2006

Eyes open to change.(FROMthe Editor)
July 1, 2006... Shortly after September 11, 2001, the association I was working for encountered a run of bad luck. Faced with their own financial problems, many members dropped their membership in the association and their participation in meetings and events....

Identifying good leaders to chart a promising future.(SHORTTakes)
July 1, 2006... Without question, every organization needs a good leader at the helm, someone who can take charge, lead and chart the future direction of the organization. As such, the success, or failure, of a company can be directly correlated to the...

Taking the 'home' out of home entertainment.(SHORTTakes)
July 1, 2006... Huge fans of TiVo[R] soon will discover this innovative home entertainment service just got better. In addition to having the capability to digitally record and watch all their favorite shows whenever they want, new software that just hit the...

Giving employees kudos where they're due.(SHORTTakes)
July 1, 2006... Long gone are the days when organizations could expect employees to go beyond the call of duty and merely settle for collecting a paycheck. In today's workplace, employees want to feel appreciated and recognized for a job well done. They are,...

Catering to the online reader.(SHORTTakes)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... The Internet has emerged as every reader's dream, giving him instant access to breaking news, sports updates, the latest Hollywood scoop and much more. Studies have shown that an online reader will spend merely 10 seconds on a Web site before...

An old timer's perspective on today's technology.(Perspective)
July 1, 2006... Building new technology networks in rural America is a subject I am passionate about. While sharing some of my perspectives, I hope I can offer some wisdom and insight about factors impacting rural communications. As a senior (old) person, I've...

How are you educating your subscribers about the importance of universal service support?(FIRSTPerson)
July 1, 2006... As Congress looks to reform our nation's telecommunications laws, it is critical that policy-makers understand and appreciate the importance of Universal Service Fund (USF) support. Although NTCA and the Coalition to Keep America Connected have...

Overcoming challenges to your market viability.(Cover story)
July 1, 2006... Independent telecommunications providers face many challenges to their market viability. Critical decisions around vendor and product selection, pricing, reliance on universal service support and competing effectively must be made with care to...

Getting to the heart of customer satisfaction: how to make your business customer centric.
July 1, 2006... In the good old days, long before the invention of the Internet, when cable meant TV and computers were used for word processing and spreadsheets, if customers wanted a dial tone they looked no further than their incumbent local exchange...

Succeeding in a competitive environment: it's not just about dollars!
July 1, 2006... Recently, United Airlines announced a partnership with a high-profile consulting firm on an ambitious initiative. United wanted its work force to help change passengers' perceptions of the airline. The best way to accomplish this, the carrier...

Learning from big business: strategies for any size company.
July 1, 2006... Meeting customer demand and expectations, providing reliable service and products, anticipating and dealing with competition--these are issues that every company, big or small, must address. Some small telecommunications companies and...

NTCA 2006 Fall Conference: building knowledge, gaining the competitive EDGE.(National Telecommunications Cooperative Association)
July 1, 2006... September 24-27 Philadelphia, Pa. Join NTCA in Philadelphia for the 2006 Fall Conference. Discover the historic charm of this "city of brotherly love," where you can visit the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House and Independence Hall,...

2006 NTCA TeleChoice award winners.
July 1, 2006... Winners of the eighth annual NTCA TeleChoice Awards--NTCA's recognition program for exceptional public relations and marketing materials--were honored during NTCA's Spring PR & Marketing Conference, April 30-May 2, in Coral Gables, Fla. To...

Feeling at home: how to help 'outsiders' fit into your family business.(WORKForce)
July 1, 2006... Do nonfamily employees feel like "outsiders" in your business? If so, it's a sure bet that their lower morale and simmering resentments are having a negative effect on your operations and sapping your profits. It makes sense, then, to take...

Navigating the insurance policy maze.(RISKManager)
July 1, 2006... If you have ever set out to read your insurance policies, you know it can be a daunting task. The binders are thicker than "War and Peace" but lack a sustainable plot to keep the reader interested. Insurance policies are crafted...

A doorway to the future.(EXECUTIVEViewpoint)
July 1, 2006... This issue of "Rural Telecommunications" is full of strategies to position your telco to succeed in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Recognizing and preparing for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for our industry is...