Happy Holidays

Smart Phone vs. Black Berry for Small Business

There used to be a time when the Blackberry was the phone of choice for corporations. In fact, Blackberry has 43% of the “corporate” market share. Recently, new Smartphones are gaining market share in the small to medium business arena. New business applications make the smart phone a cool alternative.

According to CNET, the best five smart phones fall into two categories: Android and iPhones. The top five smart phones are the Samsung EPIC 4 (SPRINT), Apple iPhone 4 (AT&T), Motorola Droid (Verizon), T-Mobile G2, and Samsung S (click here for article)

Android has over 80,000 apps and according to Small Business News, the top Android app that small businesses should be paying attention to is Layar. (Click here for the full listing)

iPhone boasts over 300,000 apps and according to American Express Open Forum, the top business app is Quick Office Mobile Office Suite. (Click here for full list)

Blackberry released a new Smartphone called the Blackberry Torch. Its touch screen features give a wink and nod to both iPhone and Android users. Although the Blackberry does not have as many apps as the Android and iPhone, it does possess a good catalog of apps appealing not only to the business world, but also for personal fun. It is also plans to compete with the iPad with its new tablet called, “Blackberry Playbook”

Do you think that smart phones can compete with the blackberry in the small business marketplace?

Keep Achieving,
NaShawn

How to Hire a Management Consultant

NaShawn Branch: telecommunications Management Consultant Brochure

Telecommunications Financing Options for Small Business Telecom Companies

Author: Andrew Stratton

If your small business were a grocery store or automotive mechanic shop, most every lender in the U.S. would immediately understand your business model. If you were to approach them looking for a line of credit, they would be able to rather quickly determine if your business is able to receive some small business financing from them or not. However, as the owner of a telecommunications company you know that this is not always the case for your industry. Traditional lenders just simply do not understand how telecom companies do business and the intracacies of telecommunications funding.

If you are a large multi-national telecom company, funding abounds for you just simply because of the huge amount of revenue your business generates month after month. However, if you are a small telecom business, obtaining that line of credit can be much more difficult. When you approach a traditional lender for funding, you will likely find that they do not understand your business model and telecommunications financing in general. It is not in the traditional banker's interest to work with telecommunications businesses with receivables that are all small amounts with many customers. Generally, your receivables take 45 or more days to receive after delivery of services. Because these billing issues are unique to the telecom industry, traditional lenders do not fully comprehend the fine details and tend to choose to deal with businesses in more traditional roles.

Once your small telecommunications business is on solid ground, and you are looking to expand your market base, there are three options readily availablec to you for obtaining small business financing. These three options are: factoring, asset based solutions, and investment capital. Let's take a quick look at each of these options:

Factoring: Factoring is a financing process which allows your company to borrow money against its receivables; your receivables are used as the collateral for the loan. The down side to traditional factoring is that this type of funding generally comes with high interest rates. By finding a lender with telecommunications financing experience, you can sometimes find a lower rate. This makes factoring a strong consideration only if you are able to locate a specialized lender with telecommunications financing experience.

Asset Based Solutions: Asset based funding solutions involve using your existing contracts, equipment, and other assets, as the collateral for your funding. This can be a good option to consider if you have a lot of assets or large contracts to leverage. However, if you own a very small local telecom company, your company may not have the assets or contracts to make this form of funding work. In that case, investment capital may be a good option to consider.

Investment Capital: If your business is open to the idea of investment capital, versus a traditional line of credit, investment capital can be a win-win situation for everyone.

While finding small business financing can be challenging in the telecommunications industry, it is not impossible. When it is time for your small telecom company to expand you should consider factoring, asset based solutions, and investment capital as possible options. Whatever your decision may be, as long as it fits within your long-term business plans, then you are sure to succeed.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/telecommunications-financing-options-for-small-business-telecom-companies-178962.html

About the AuthorThermo Credit, LLC is a financial services company focused exclusively on telecommunications financing. Our objective is to serve established companies that need capital to expand their operations. Learn more about Thermo Credit at http://www.thermocredit.com.

Kung fu fighting in telecommunications industry

"Everyone was Kung Fu fighting,
Those cats were fast lightning.
It was a little bit frightening,
You have to have perfect timing."

These are the lyrics to this famous song of the 70's but the same is true today. For example, Business owners of telecommunications businesses, may be singing the same tune. Small-to medium business in the telecommunications industry only have a small window to beat the competition because technology is changing rapidly. Therefor it is imperative that business owners have a higher level of performing business analysis.

Evaluating marketing plans, potential markets, and customer buying habits require a higher level approach. Many management consultants only perform return on investments (ROI) formulas. However, a higher level of statistics is required for a higher level of confidence. Does your consultant possess these skills? These are some of the questions that you need to ask before you hire a management consultant.

If you have questions about performing a statistical analysis for your small-to- medium telecommunications business, I will be happy to provide a FREE consultation and demonstrate how a statistical analysis can benefit your business.

NaShawn

Telecommunications Humor

What is a Telecommunications Management Consultant?

To answer this question, we must first define what a management consultants does. A management consultant works to define ineffectiveness with in an organization. Therefor, a Telecommunications Management Consultant usually works in the arena of telecommunications industry. There are two separate focuses 1) working to reduce telecommunications expenses for companies (usually not telecommunications businesses) and 2) working with managers at telecommunications organizations to improve their business operations.

So what do I do? I work with telecommunications organizations to improve their performance, primarily through the analysis of existing business problems and development of plans for improvement.

Telecommunications Consultants (TC) vs. Telecommunications Management Consultants (TMC)

What’s the difference? This is a question that was recently posed to me for further clarity. It is a legitimate question that I thought I would clarify on my blog. To sum it up briefly, the difference is rooted in the services and the clients it services.
Telecommunications Consultants (TC) are providers of voice, video, and data solutions for the end user. Their classification or NAIC code is 517 and classifies as a telecommunications service provider.
While Telecommunications Management Consultant (TMC) providers classify in NAIC code 54168 of management consultation services or specifically “other Management consulting services. Most of their clients are businesses that require an expert opinion of improving internal operations. Telecommunications management consultants have no partnership with providers insuring an unbiased opinion.
In short, TCs are routing in the practice of engineering while TMCs are in Management.
I hope this clears things up.
Keep Achieving
NaShawn

icon Venture Capitalists’ Predictions for 2010

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

icon Venture Capitalists’ Predictions for 2010

View more documents from Diego Gomes.

New Address in Cordova, TN

I recently opened with a new address: 1138 N Germantown Pkwy Suite 101, #209 Cordova, TN 38016

3D TV: Where are the Content Providers

I recently visited Frys in Chicago to widow shop for a new BIGSCREEN and there it was: a 82 inch high def 3D TV....WOW. After conversing with the salesperson, I was disappointed about the lack of content for 3D technology.

There lies the problem! The TV cost a premium but there is not enough movies to justify the price. I understand that as new technology comes out it is often expensive, but in the past, there was always content available (i.e. Blue rays, CD, DVD's etc)

AT&T announced that it has plans to develop new 3D movies (click here the news article) , but for now, I think I will just sit back and watch..

Do you have plans to purchase a 3D? If so, when and what do you think about the lack of 3D movies

T-Mobile myFaves stick together funny commercial

T-Mobile myFaves funny commercial. Stick Together

Funny T-Mobile Commercial

Cellphone Survey

Please take a moment to complete this short survey. Your response is very important. Click here to take survey

E-waste

Telecommunications Services for the 90s

Jones International University featured on "World's Greatest!"

Telecommunications Associations

Associations in the telecommunications industry are primarily responsible for collaborating among practitioners in the industry. These associations are a good resource for industry standards and contacts. The purpose of the post is to provide a listing of selected industry association:

Trade Associations

Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
Association for Information Systems (AIS)
Association for Local Telecommunications Services (ALTS)
Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA)
CommerceNet
Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization
Competitive Telecommunications Association (CompTel)
Data Interchange Standards Association
ETNO (European PTO's)
European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI)
EURESCOM (Germany)
European Telecommunications Information Service (ETIS) (Denmark)
European Telecommunications Office (ETO)
Fiber Optic Association
Foundation for Rural Service (FRS)
Global Wireless Education Consortium
GSM Association
Industrial Telecommunications Association
Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
Inter-American Telecommunications Commission (CITEL)
North American Association of Telecommunications Dealers (NATD)
Organization for the Promotion & Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO)
Satellite Industry Association
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) (United States)
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) (United Kingdom)
Telecommunications Standards Advisory Council of Canada
Telecommunications Policy and Research Conference (TPRC)
United States Telecom Association (USTA)
United Telecom Council (UTC)
Wireless Foundation

The Call of the Entrepreneur

Entrpreneurs Can Change the World

The Effects of Web 2.0 Social Networks on the Telecommunications Industry

Web 2.0 sites are all the rage. Many Entrepreneurs are looking to these websites to generate sales. But which ones are more conducive for generating sales in the telecommunications industry? To answer that question, I recently compiled research surveying executives in the industry. The research sheds light on which web 2.0 website actually was beneficial to closing sales.

Here is a link to the research: http://http://www.box.net/shared/4b0btoqhdq


NaShawn

What Web 2.0 Websites result in achieving sales in the telecommunications industry?

There are a lot of web 2.0 social websites that claim to assist in sales. Some examples are LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace to name a few. But do they actually live up to this claim for the telecommunications industry? I am conducting a study that examines the effects of Web 2.0 Social Networking sites in the Telecommunications Industry. The purpose of this blog is to request your participation in the survey. This survey is for telecommunications executives, business owners, engineers, and other practitioners within the industry. The goal is to analyze the specific networks that have the most influence in our industry. Please visit the following link to participate in this quick survey. At the conclusion of the survey, I will share the results to those that request a follow-up.

Thank you in advance for participating in the survey.

Keep Achieving,
NaShawn
Click here to take the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GGWGV27

The Value of Business Development

One of the most important gauges of success for any business is the ability to convert potential customers into clients. In a highly fragmented industry such as telecommunications, achieving even 1% of the market share requires sound business development support to shorten sales cycles. The purpose of this blog is to demonstrate the need for business development services for small telecommunications companies.

Definition of Business Development
Business development (BD) is not sales. Contrary to popular belief, business development has a different role than sales activity. BD usually involves the process of identifying potential customers. This may include an internal qualification process of identifying client’s. In providing telecommunications products and services, the process requires a great deal of research analyzing the client’s technical requirements, budgets, and timeframe for installation.

Many new telecommunications companies assume that “if you build it, they will come.” The assumption is that clients will purchase new technology. However, these assumptions are wrong. Clients are more prone to buy based on relationships through a consultancy approach. This is where business development professionals are crucial as an asset to supporting sales.

Here are more reasons for justifying business development personnel:
• Gathering market demographics
• Performing SWOT analysis
• Getting your foot in the door
• Provide feedback on realistic sale projections
• Developing strategic relationships that influence your clients’ purchasing behavior

The job of BD is not to close the sale but to schedule a sales meeting. If done correctly, BD professionals are vital for helping the sales professional close the sale quickly and efficiently. Therefore, do not overlook the value of this value added service for your sales department.
If you require the need of a business development person, please contact me toll free at 1-877-593-2085 or email at info@nashawnbranch.com

Keep Achieving,

NaShawn Branch
Telecommunications Management Consultant

Is It Feasible???

Every entrepreneur is familiar with a business plan. It has become as common term as a “must have” for successful new business ventures. However, for new start-ups in the telecommunications industry, a feasibility study is just as important. As the name implies, a feasibility study is an analysis of the viability of an idea. The feasibility study focuses on helping answer the essential question of “should we proceed with the proposed project idea?” I would like to demonstrate how a feasibility study answers that question and just makes good business sense before composing a business plan.

Feasibility Study vs. Business Plan

According to Don Hofstrand and Mary Holz-Clause, Co-Directors of Ag Marketing Resource Center at Iowa State University, "A feasibility study is not a business plan. The feasibility study provides an investigating function. It addresses the question of “Is this a viable business venture?” The business plan provides a planning function. The business plan outlines the actions needed to take the proposal from “idea” to “reality.”

Some common elements of a feasibility study for a telecommunications business are:
• Identification of Regulatory Issues,
• Cultural Differences (i.e. workplace restrictions, geographic differences and local customs)
• Technology Requirements (i.e. bandwidth, hardware and software)
• Competitive Landscapes
• Market Assessments

Conducting a feasibility study is a good business practice for assessing if one should proceed with the business before wasting valuable time and money. If you examine successful businesses, you will find that they did not go into a new business venture without first thoroughly examining all of the issues and assessing the probability of business success.

Below are other reasons to conduct a feasibility study:
• Gives focus to the project and outline alternatives.
• Narrows business alternatives
• Identifies new opportunities through the investigative process.
• Identifies reasons not to proceed.
• Enhances the probability of success by addressing and mitigating factors early on that could affect the project.
• Provides quality information for decision making.
• Provides documentation that the business venture was thoroughly investigated.
• Helps in securing funding from lending institutions and other monetary sources.
• Helps to attract equity investment.

The feasibility study is a critical step in the initial business assessment process. If properly conducted, it may be the best investment you ever made. If you are considering a feasibility study for a new market for telecommunication services, please contact me toll free at 877-593-2085 or email: info@nashawnbranch.com for a consultation.

Keep Achieving,

NaShawn Branch
Telecommunications Management Consultant
Address: 392 Dacus Drive
Munford TN, 38058
Toll Free: 877-593-2085 x701
Cell: (901) 215-7640
Email: info@nashawnbranch.com
www.nashawnbranch.com
www.nashawnbranch.blogspot.com (blog)
http://www.linkedin.com/in/nashawnbranch (LinkedIn)

Business Templates to Help Start Your Business

While volunteering at Service Corp or Retired Executives (SCORE) I was privy to a great template gallery. For Entrepreneurs starting out, this gallery provides several templates and forms that are useful for any business.(click here for the link) Some examples are:

• Business Plan for a Start-up Business
• Business Plan for an Established Business
• Financial Forecast and Supporting Documents
• Business Planning Tools for Nonprofit
• Balance Sheet (Projected)
• Bank Loan Request for Small Business
• Board of Advisors
• Breakeven Analysis
• Cash Flow Statement (12 Months)
• Cash Flow Statement (4 Years)
• Competitive Analysis
• Financial History & Ratios
• Loan Amortization Schedule
• Opening Day Balance Sheet
• Personal Financial Statement
• Profit and Loss Projection (12 Months)
• Profit and Loss Projection (3 Years)
• QuickSTART Series Workshop Documents
• Sales Forecast (12 Months)
• Start-Up Expenses

These templates are FREE courtesy of SCORE. If you need help getting your financial information in order, please contact me: Email: info@nashawnbranch.com or Toll Free: 877-593-2085 x701.
Keep Achieving,
NaShawn
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Higher Level of Standards of Management Consultant

Choosing a Mangement consultant can be a daunting task. According to Roberto Luongo, “Often managers face difficulties while selecting services of the right consultant for their respective needs. Choosing the best help from an outsider is a complex process, which requires special skills to ensure the end results.”

When assessing a consultant it is important to assess if a management consultant is an expert in their field, their ability to solve your problems, quality of work, cost, time of completion with the highest levels of ethical practices. My advice, choose a person that conforms to a governing board of industry standards that set the stands for excellence and ethics in consulting.

To provide my clients with the highest standard of service, I am pleased to announce my membership in Institute of Management Consultants (IMC). (click her for my public profile in the IMC) As stated in its bylaws, the mission of the Institute of Management Consultants USA is to promote excellence and ethics in management consulting through certification, education, and professional resources. IMC USA provides the only certification for individual management consultants in the US that conforms to the international standards of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes. ICMCI sets global standards of technical competence and professional conduct for consultants in more than 40 nations.

Keep Achieving,

NaShawn Branch
Management Consultant
Toll Free: 877-593-2085 x701
Cell: (901) 215-7640
Email: info@nashawnbranch.com
www.nashawnbranch.com
www.nashawnbranch.blogspot.com (blog)

Effective Executive Leadership: Five Areas of Executive Skills

Effective leadership is a common goal of many telecommunications organizations. In the belief that management performance can be predicted based on personality traits patterns and attitudes. Several have established elaborate programs for selecting successful managers by means of intensive personality assessments

Famous management theorist, Peter Drucker also speculated on skills that enable leaders to be successful. These five skills were (1) time management, (2) setting priorities, (3) people decisions, (4) concentration on superior performance, and (5) making effective decisions. How great are your executive skills? Are there any areas that need improvement in 2010? Then consider these five areas of executive skills.

Keep Achieving,

NaShawn