John Dilbeck Musings

As a Cognigen agent, I’m always looking for better ways to help my customers find the telecommunications services they need to build their businesses and reduce their costs. As more and more businesses turn to broadband Internet access, they enter areas in which they have no expertise and need to find people who can help them install networks, buy telecom equipment, find the best broadband access, and keep their communications systems operating optimally.

Many small businesses and entrepreneurs turn to local Value Added Resellers (VARs) who are dealers for different companies and also provide installation, configuration and troubleshooting services.

But, how do you find these people to help you with your telecom needs?

VAR Network is a new service for businesses to find the VARs in your area who can help you solve your communications problems and fill your telecom needs.

Being a new service, not all VARs know about it, yet. If you know of a VAR in your area who is not listed in the search results at VAR Network, won’t you take a moment and tell them about this post? They may want to become a part of the VAR Network, too. Here’s the information they need to know about.

Are you a Value Added Reseller?

Chances are you are much better at the telecommunications technical services you offer than you are at marketing your services to the businesses in your area.

You may be interested to know that VAR Partner can help you connect with businesses who need and want the services and products you sell.

Join VAR Network and we will help you market your business.

What is VAR Network and why should you care? Here’s how it works:

1. You register with VAR Network and complete your profile.

2. We send you leads based upon your VARSearch score.

3. If you close a sale, you send us a commission on the transaction. You can modify the commission you want to pay on future leads at any time.

4. You can improve your VARSearch score by receiving positive customer feedback scores, by offering more commission to our marketing agents, and/or by sending T1 business to ShopforT1.

5. Sit back and enjoy the ride!

It’s easy to register with VAR Partner. Once you register, our network of telecommunications agents will work to bring new business to you.

As a result of our marketing efforts we are creating a large database of businesses who have purchased commercial telecommunication services, many of whom need (or will need) telecom handsets, PBX’s, routers, switches, firewalls, telecom closets, etc.

These customers are also looking for Cisco, Avaya, Lucent, Mitel, Nortel, and Shoretel Dealers.

Likewise, we are gathering customers in need of equipment and sending them to you in hopes that you (1) can sell them your equipment and (2) can refer business back to us if they ever request T1 high-speed internet or voice services in the future. Our program is a classic case of “I scratch your back and you scratch mine!”

Go to VAR Partner to join our network of VARs. You can find more information about the benefits and VAR program comparisons on our site.

Do you want to see how a customer can find you once you are part of the network?

Go to VAR Network and enter a search for services and/or products you offer. If you are not a part of the network, you may find that we are already marketing the services of your competitors.

Or, perhaps you’ll find that nobody is being recommended in your area. This is your chance to have your services marketed to businesses who need you.

It only takes a couple of minutes to join our network of VARs.

Do it now, while you are thinking about it.

Your opportunities with ShopForT1 continue to increase on a regular basis, as more and more Cognigen agents are seeing that T1 (and larger circuit) sales have closed and they are seeing the commissions. You are encouraged to take the time to understand what you have to offer here, since ShopForT1 is one of the absolute best deals around today.

You find a need for bandwidth, the lead is entered into the system, and a technical professional closes the sale for you! It just doesn’t get any better than that!

With the advent and ever-increasing demand for VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol, or broadband phone) services for businesses, ShopForT1 is aligned with Packet8 to provide a bundled solution for customers. This can be a tremendous cost savings for businesses, since a data-only T1 is typically less expensive than an integrated T1 line (combining data and voice circuits). The ShopForT1 closers understand this and are explaining it to customers as a cost-effective option on a regular basis.

The carriers that are represented by ShopForT1 are also noticing the tremendous success, and are continually amazed at the number of orders that are closed. As a result of this, these carriers are regularly offering very generous spiffs, bonuses, and increased commissions to compensate ShopForT1 (and you, the agent) for this continued success.

Is there really an opportunity here? You bet!

Consider that within the United States there are well over a MILLION T1 lines being used. This is a substantial market for you to go after. Now, consider that if a T1 line has been in place for more than 2 years, it is very likely that the customer is paying much more than he should be for it. If that T1 line has been in place for more than 3 years, it is almost certain that the customer is paying more than he needs to for that service. Even “techno-savvy” customers sometimes find it difficult to understand how ShopForT1 can offer such low prices from top-tier carriers. One ShopForT1 closer tells the story that one customer didn’t believe the prices he was being quoted by the closer over the phone, so he asked the closer to print the quote and get it notarized, and then fax it to him!

How can ShopForT1 offer such prices from these top-tier carriers?

The name of the game is VOLUME. Based on the volume of business that ShopForT1 provides to all of our carriers every month, those carriers guarantee the best prices possible. That’s why the closers don’t hesitate to tell the customer which carriers are being quoted, because the guarantee is that the customer cannot go to that same carrier directly and get a better price on the same service.

For you, the agent, ShopForT1 can represent a gold mine. Consider that you don’t need to close the sale — the sale is closed for you by a professional technical consultant at no cost to you or the customer. Also consider that a T1 line or larger circuit is almost always sold on a 1, 2, or 3 year contract. This means that you have a guaranteed commission every month from that customer for the life of the contract, and may ALSO get a one-time bonus or spiff from it.

It just doesn’t get any better than this.

Well, we have said that before and it still continues to get better and better, with more tools being added regularly. Don’t miss the boat on this tremendous opportunity.

Cognigen agents now have the ability to market and sell long distance service to Canadian residents. Canadian long distance services will be provided by Cognigen’s alliance with one of our newest vendors, Convergia Networks.

Convergia is a world-class provider of voice, data, and Internet services for residential, business and wholesale customers. Using their state-of-the-art switching facilities and end-to-end network, Convergia presents the fullest potential of today’s broadband revolution. By introducing leading edge and innovative products and services, establishing global alliances, and always striving to improve existing business, Convergia is changing how the world communicates.

• Convergia offers Tier 1 voice quality to calls anywhere in the world
• Long distance calls across North America for as little as 4.9 cents per minute
• International toll free available
• Save more than 70% on international calls
• Huge savings on International calls via our own privately held network that spans over 152 points of presence in 45 countries
• Detailed electronic billing using our state of the art billing platform
• Choose between direct billing and credit card payment options

If you live in Canada, look into what Convergia offers you.