Telecommunications!
“What an industry to have a business in” I have heard people say.
· The UK telecommunications market is still recovering from the Dot com fallout and has too much spare capacity in their networks.
· Some of the large multi-national heroes of yesteryear are currently in "bankruptcy protection" or worse.
· Businesses are bombarded with packages where it is difficult to compare.
· Telephone companies are begining to stop the sending of itemised bills so that their customers are unable to see if they are on a good tariff or not.
· The media has regular adverts with very cheap domestic rates but they do not tell you about the hidden charges.
· Contention ratios are set so high that an engaged tone may be because the network is busy and not the phone at the other end.
· Customer Service is at an all time low with massive increases in the complaints received by OFCOM (UK Government regulatory authority).
· Businesses can no long build a relationship with their telecommunications company Account Manager because they change so quickly or don't exist.
But still, the humble telephone is still the prime communications tool for most business to maintain and grow a relationship with their customers.
Telecommunications has to have a cost...
...but do you know what you’re paying for? When is the last time you actually reviewed your phone costs and do you understand your phone bill?
Here are a few tips on what to look for when reviewing your business communications costs.
· When you do look at your phone charges, look at the minimum (or connection) fees and look at the average time length of your calls. You would be wise to take a look at what destinations you are calling too. Most telecommunications operators do not offer much discounts to mobiles and there are no discounts for 08xx and 09xx phone calls.
· The average business phone call is around 2.5 minutes and with the first minute being charged at the "connection/minimum" rate of around 5p. If you are a BT customer calling a national number that 2.5 minute call will cost you 6.7p * 2.5 = 16.75p. A local call will cost you 5p + 3.36p*1.5 =10.04p.
· But how many times have you phoned to find that person you want to talk to was not there? You're on the phone for less that a minute. With most phone companies you get charged the "connection/minimum" fee of around 5p. Wisdom Communications minimum rate is 1p, which is a potential saving of 80%.
We at Wisdom Communications, offer a FREE, no obligation review of all your telecommunications costs (land, mobile and broadband). From the review results we would develop strategies to reduce you call costs and provide you with plans based on your business plans. By looking at your total telecommunications needs we can demonstrate real savings and our service is FREE to you.
Wisdom Communications not only provides you with an Account Manager who wants to know your business, we will act as your ICT manager and deal with suppliers on your behalf.
It is a regular joke at HBN meetings that Wisdom Communications has customers that it pays every month. This is true, we have customer telephone bills showing positive cash balances.
To arrange a FREE, no obligation, telecommunications review please call 08701 63 51 22 *.
*Calls charged at BT National rate.
In forthcoming issues, we will look at
· Non Geographical Numbers (08xx, 09xx) and illustrate how these can help your business cost effectively.
· How to access your email when your out of the office and never miss an important email again.
· How to reduce your mobile phone bills.
· Broadband, what is it, how to use it effectively and why it can help your business.
Terry Downing MBCS Chartered Information Systems Practitioner
Wisdom
Communications
"Knowledge plus Experience equals Wisdom"
(m) +44 7718 918 643
(t) 08701 63 51 22
(f) 08701 63 51 24