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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)