Chris Tombs, Timico CEO, shared his vision of the Unified Communications opportunity as a means of being optimistic in the face of what is expected to be otherwise a difficult couple of years for business.
“There are tough economic conditions ahead. Standing still in the face of recession is not an option and chasing new customers is going to be hard work. However, by extending service offerings for existing customers into margin and revenue-enhancing services such as Unified Communications, Business Partners will find that there is a real opportunity for growth,” said Tombs.
Tombs’ went on to reveal that despite the economic outlook, Timico is still growing rapidly and he was delighted to announce the launch of a 2009 rewards environment for the Business Partners. Timico say the rewards environment provides Business Partners with a real incentive to penetrate their existing customer base with the component services that make up the Unified Comms mix. “Substantial up-front rewards, of up to an extra £40 per line for reaching net growth targets, will provide unprecedented incentive to convert a customer’s total telecoms spend over to Timico’s ‘Business Strength’ Next Generation services. In addition, Timico’s generous Revenue share program will allow Business Partners to build up a significant earnings stream for themselves over the life-time of a customer, and in doing so enhance the value of their business.”
“Our Business Partners’ greatest asset is their customer base. Timico’s pledge to our partners allows them to confidently introduce customers to Timico, safe in the knowledge that whatever services may be sold to these customers at any future date, will result in them receiving a share of the revenues from any services sold,” explained Chris Tombs.
“If Business Partners provide the customers and the energy, we will provide the service capability, the motivation and rewards,” he added.
Iain Sinnott, Head of Indirect Channel Sales at Timico, then announced the Business Partner of the Year awards:
Fastest Growing Business Partner was awarded to Cardiff’s Freshbaked Communications. MD, Matt Snelus was there to collect his award. In 2008 Freshbaked achieved a fantastic net growth of 1000 Timico lines.
Most Prolific Unified Comms Connector was awarded to Utilities and Environmental Solutions based near Caerphilly, South Wales. Andrew Diplock and his team achieved an impressive, 76%, non-mobile connections in 2008.
Highest Customer Product Penetration was awarded to Richard Ridley of Sussex-based Ridley Associates.
The Overall Business Partner of the Year Award went to Managed Business Communications of Nottingham and was received by Managing Director, Simon Leadley. In 2008 MBC Limited achieved outstanding net growth, as well as having good product penetration, and high levels of connections to Unified services.
All award winners received a framed commemorative certificate and a massive Luxury Christmas Hamper to share with their teams. Hearty congratulations were given all around and then all the delegates enjoyed a fantastic Christmas Lunch.
For the afternoon session, Timico laid on two strategic planning workshops:
- IP Telephony and connectivity and how it can be used to help build value and stickiness within the customer base
- Hosted Exchange and BlackBerry services and how they can help smaller customers benefit from big-company functionality
The detailed information provided by these helped delegates better understand where they could profit from becoming involved in selling Timico hosted services and advanced IP telephony.
Both the morning presentation and afternoon workshop sessions were very useful and much appreciated by the Business Partners. As a whole, the conference reflected Timico’s leadership in delivering a channel programme which allows partners to prosper from the Unified Communications opportunity.
“Our relationship with Timico has been more of a partnership than any other company we have worked with,” said Simon Leadley, MD at MBC Limited. “2008 has seen us achieve impressive growth within our business, and I am looking forward to presenting the Timico Unified Comms proposition to more of my customers in 2009.”