Rural Telecommunications articles from September 2008

Rural Telecommunications archives from September 2008

Workplace decencies.(FROM the Editor)
September 1, 2008... A recent trip to the employee kitchen piqued my curiosity about workplace decencies. A note on the refrigerator read, "Whoever ate my lunch, please refrain from doing so in the future." Hmmm.... That was not a decent thing to do. ...

The secret of success is in the genes.(SHORT Takes)
September 1, 2008... According to the Family Firm Institute, a research group in Boston, only 30% of family owned businesses make it to the second generation, 10% to the third generation and 3% to the fourth. Family businesses contend with some unique issues, such...

The cost of getting to work.(SHORT Takes)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... It wasn't long ago that the nation bemoaned gas prices of $3 per gallon. Those days are long gone. According to the Energy Information Administration, the average price of gasoline hovered around $4.10 a gallon in June, up significantly over...

High-performing individuals.(SHORT Takes)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Senior executives and managers say high-performing individuals in large organizations are set apart by their ability to prioritize, their attitude and their initiative. Quality of work, execution and people skills are among the other...

Customer-company communication satisfaction.(SHORT Takes)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Customers and companies can work together to realize a fundamental shift in business relations by working toward building open communication that leads to long-term relationships, trust, strong communities and sustainable businesses. ...

The end of the cable box?(SHORT Takes)
September 1, 2008... Tru2way technology allows consumers to buy two-way plug-and-play TVs and other devices that can receive cable's interactive digital services now and in the future, no matter where they live or to what cable operator they subscribe. Consumers...

A mobile life.(SHORT Takes)
September 1, 2008... Being able to connect with family and friends via cell phone is the "old thing." Social networking and interacting with people and information in your immediate environment using your smart phone is the new thing. According to Morgan...

A new golden age.(Perspective)
September 1, 2008... Milestone events are more than simply milestones--especially in business. A mere 25 years ago, the American telecommunications industry entered into a new "golden age" with the breakup of AT&T. Never before in the history of our nation had...

Tell us about your most memorable customer-service moment. What made it memorable, and what did you learn from the interaction?(FIRST Person)
September 1, 2008... When companies stake their reputation on customer service--as rural telcos do--they are sure to have their share of stories about bizarre, humorous and otherwise enlightening customer encounters. What sets apart the everyday customer...

The employee benefits challenge: have you ever received your paycheck statement, looked at the gross pay versus the net pay and wondered, "Where did it all go?".(Cover story)
September 1, 2008... That question presents a couple of critical challenges for companies of every size and shape. First, how do you get employees to appreciate the value of what they received for the money that was taken out of their gross pay? Second, how do you...

Employee coaching not just for HR anymore.
September 1, 2008... Leaders in today's organizations are asked to serve many and varied roles. Not only are they involved in the strategic business decisions, but often a leader's most important role is in coaching and developing employees. Coaching can no longer...

A telco survival guide.(A SLOW ECONOMY & SOARING GAS PRICES)
September 1, 2008... This January at Citigroup's annual media and telecommunications conference, AT&T Chief Executive Officer Randall Stephenson told the bank that the phone company was disconnecting large numbers of customers for failure to pay their broadband and...

A step-by step IPTV solution.
September 1, 2008... most telephone companies across the country have thought countless times about the best way to deliver telephone, data and video across one central access point in the home. However, numerous solutions to this dilemma make the process of...

Speaking a common language.
September 1, 2008... Consumers are constantly looking for simplified access to their content--when and where they want it. To that end, Internet Protocol (IP)--a common language linking networks and devices at the most basic level--holds great promise in rural...

Recover your costs.
September 1, 2008... recovering costs associated with the transport of video can be confusing. Current FCC rules require NECA member companies to recognize both regulated and nonregulated video service components. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In general, video...

Building your IPTV content lineup.
September 1, 2008... So you have made the strategic decision to become a triple-play service provider and have invested the capital to upgrade your network infrastructure to deliver IPTV. You have investigated IPTV delivery systems. Now, what about programming, the...

IPTV and the new multichannel paradigm.
September 1, 2008... as Verizon and AT&T rollout their new IPTV services in earnest, each forecasting millions of subscribers in the near future, it's clear that the multichannel landscape will be reaching new heights of competition over the coming years. This is...

Sales and marketing: the best defense against video competition.
September 1, 2008... when a telco decides to offer an IPTV service, the management often concentrates on the quality of the network and the physical plant. This focus is well placed. A competitive service must deliver what it claims it will. But ensuring the...

New general managers: learn lessons from line loss.
September 1, 2008... GMs highlight customer service as number of access lines dips and the economy slows. It's a near constant refrain for rural telcos: We might not be able to win on price, but customers love us because we provide superior service. What,...

What to expect from your USAC USF audit.
September 1, 2008... All rural telcos should take an active interest in the ongoing Universal Service Fund (USF) audits conducted by the Universal Service Administrative Co. (USAC). The FCC's Office of Inspector General (OIG), which detects and deters mistakes and...

Learn lessons from a marketing success story.(MARKETING Matters)
September 1, 2008... Marketing is no longer an option--it is a necessity. Whether a rural telco feels the effects of competition, market-share loss or access line - loss, or the need to increase broadband penetration or grow membership loyalty, a marketing...

Growing pains.(EXECUTIVE Viewpoint)(Viewpoint essay)
September 1, 2008... During a recent airplane ride I had a unique and fascinating conversation with an oceanographer, who asked if I knew how a lobster was able to grow bigger when its shell was so hard. I admitted I hadn't ever thought about it, but it did seem...