“In order to ensure a successful 2010, agencies should focus on application-driven solutions. Mobility services and managed application solutions (cloud computing, content management and e-commerce applications) are two segments that will enhance any agent’s portfolio. By leading with a solution-based sales approach, agents will be more effective creating new opportunities in accounts. These services will also differentiate your firm from the competition, who tend to focus solely on legacy data, voice and Internet solutions and allow your agency to close more business in 2010.”
— Courtney Humphrey, President, DigiTel Services Inc., master agent
“Diversification! Clients have very diverse needs right now and if you have an opportunity with an account, you must figure out how to prove your value in the equation. How can you help them survive? How can you increase efficiencies, reduce costs, be more mobile? Wireless, MPLS and auditing work are all hot topics right now for our clients. We service many government accounts as well as multilocation clients and they need to be able to outsource their communication support to an agency with a solid back office that can provision things correctly as well as handle MACDs, billing issues and, of course, trouble tickets.”
— Yvonne M. Fry, President, Lines of Communication, independent agent
“Agents need to have a strong SIP product with a PBX solution. The solution can come from an amalgam of voice, data and hardware providers, but it has to meet the traditional needs of their client while introducing features like unified messaging and advanced call-routing. We should also keep a green outlook by offering electronic faxing, telecommuting services and energy saving products.”
— Brooke E. Martin, Owner, National Communications Group Inc., independent agent
