May 31, 2011

Dear Telecom Trader Members,

If you are unable to read the text of this message, please go to www.telecomtrader.com/newsletter/05-31-11/htm

We spent our Memorial Day holiday weekend giving thanks to those who serve and sacrifice in defense of our Great Nation.  Hoping you and yours had a good remembrance celebration of your own, and at least a few peaceful moments to relax!

This time we also are grieving for those lost in the recent violent storms.   Like a weary majority, we too are tired of days on end filled with tornado sirens, baseball sized hail, straight line winds and violent thunderstorms.  Fly Over Country has had a tough time with both a serious vicious winter and extraordinary spring storms.

My mind wanders to childhood memories and the reality of severe weather to the families of 'The Telephone Man'.  Children of The Telephone Man know a reality that a Christmas Day snow storm meant daddy probably didn't get a chance to play with our great new toys.  The toys that were purchased with the extra money Dear Old Dad earned working weekends and holidays with overtime pay.

It seems a little ... idunno the right word ... possibly 'ironic' , that when I check the Telecom Trader web site traffic statistics I always see a massive leap when there are weather and man made events that damage or destroy the communications infrastructure.  I will admit to a bit of guilty pleasure when envisioning your own children benefiting from the extra income.

Hit counts with both new and repeat visitors (I think repeat visitors are VERY important), show a major jump throughout May.  Springtime statistics are off the charts!  In particular I notice that our National Networks page (featuring companies with national service offerings) saw thousands of hits during May.

Some of you long term old time members might remember my work in the area of "Telecommunications Disaster Backup and Disaster Recovery'?   I'll bore you with all that another day.  I've been observing, studying and considering the effective mobilization of electric companies that partner together to immediately dispatch traveling crews.  They rush to the scene of disasters with vehicles, equipment, supplies and technical support. They have an admirable and effective method for getting the electric grid back on line.

There is a short paragraph about our involvement and recruitment for members to respond to national emergencies here: http://telecomtrader.com/telecomemergency.htm  If your company or any that you know of could participate, please forward the information and contact from that page.

Ok.. ya twisted my arm.  I'll share a couple  important aspects of effective management of Telecom Disaster Backup and Recovery.

1. Establish a procedure for quick mobilization in the event you are called to assist.  
Remember that he/she that responds first, nearly always wins the job. 
Make sure that your phones are answered, and email checked with prompt reply. 
If you don't already have one, establish an emergency call out link on your auto-attendant with effective use of voice mail tree notifications.  If you do have one, make sure it is functioning properly.

2. Anticipate need for equipment and supplies, including wire and cable.  Understand that NO ONE can either afford or warehouse or maintain serious levels of rarely used supplies.  Do the best to the ability of your storage and cash flow.  One effective idea is to 'label' your usual stock as also available for emergency service.  It is most important to replenish normal supplies.

I'd kinda like to think in a really meaningful way that members of The Telecom Trader benefit from their State and  National listings.  I know that our customers and referral networks are using our site.  Kinda makes you want to pay up your member dues doesn't it?

In case you don't remember, I'll remind you again that the only income from this website comes from member dues and a few side marketing jobs.   The guy who pays the bills keeps giving me that funny look that says, "Woman Get A Job!".   What isn't paid for with income generated from the website, comes out of 'the honey's' operating funds.  He expects to be reimbursed and most times I just shrug my shoulders and walk away.   Truth is, unless I can generate some solid income PRONTO, another year will pass when I suffer the sacrifice of giving up my swim spa in favor of continued Telecom Trader operations. 

How can you let this happen to me? 

I mean REALLY!!!  Haven't I been great to you for all these years? Don't I treat you all like one of my very own?  Don't I boss you around, make you say 'Yes Ma'am enough? 
SERIOUSLY!!! I don't yet have a swim spa!!!  The one I want is about half the price of an in ground pool.  I'm working on frugal here! Kidding? Probably. Not so much.

What can you do to help?  Renew your membership for at least two years?  Your membership doesn't have to expire for you to renew.   Haven't revised the 'retro rates' yet but the chore is looming.  You can extend your membership and enjoy our 1999 founding year rates.  How about NOW?  www.telecomtrader.com/signmeup.htm

One last complaint and one last request.

I've long moaned and groaned about the inefficiency of 'Satellite Internet'.  It is expensive, operates not at all during bad weather, poorly in overcast skies and fair weather performance is 'perfunctorily mediocre'.   As a result, there aren't as many website additions and major changes as I would like.  I often (mostly) fail to upload current newsletters.  If I had more income and new members and member dues payments and referral fees, I might be able to afford a T-1 back out here in the middle of nowhere.  So send those checks TODAY!

Always remember to check the Telecom Trader contractor listings when you need help with your local and remote projects.  We all stand ready to serve.

Member Feature:
Part of the founding concepts of the Telecom Trader is the idea that we can depend on other members to help with remote jobs as subcontractors.
With this in mind, I'd like to feature Dynamic Tele/Net Infrastructure (DTI) and owner Brett Diaz.

It is not the intent of the Telecom Trader to annoy anyone at any time.  If you are on this mailing list, I hope you asked to receive this newsletter.  If not, simply reply with the words 'remove' - or drop dead, whatever!  The Telecom Trader is a membership based cooperative effort between communications contractors.  Formed in 1999 it has performed well with a basic goal of providing simple and quick customer access to members. 

Hit counters are re-set yearly

The Telecom Trader is a cooperative association of communications contractors. www.telecomtrader.com  Customers welcome to browse our open access system for identifying and selecting communications products, services and contractors. All material is copyrighted and all rights reserved.  The organization accepts NO responsibility for any business or financial transaction between members and beyond.  It is the responsibility of all who visit and use this site to verify the references, quality, and payment ability of all subcontracted work. All disclaimers and legal loopholes apply. 

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