Mobile – bind or benefit to SMEs?

Mobile communications – bind or benefit for business owners? I believe it’s a double-edged sword. Yes, being able to stay in touch with the office while out and about is now crucial to businesses, however being contactable all the time means there truly is nowhere to hide! And as this mobility is now a necessity for businesses, the current market for telecommunications is an increasingly noisy place.

So how can the big telco brands compete in such a saturated marketplace? What do they need to know to keep their businesses relevant in the digital age? And most importantly do they really know what makes the SME market tick?

(First off) I’m a business owner, hello. I’ve got a Blackberry and it goes everywhere with me – yes that’s right my name’s Simon and I’m a ‘Crackberry’ addict. Thinking back to when I made that step into the world of mobile communications, I wasn’t approached by a service provider, oh no, I was the one that went running around researching the best deals. Where were the service providers when my business was at the stage to make the commitment? There is a dearth of relevant mobile business offerings, which explains why I am now a “Crackberry” addict as this brand is the exception.

My decision wasn’t based on price of course, it was also dependent upon my experiences with my personal mobile service provider, and the history I’ve had with a handset manufacturer. For example I wouldn’t have gone with a business comms provider if I had poor reception at home, it just wouldn’t have made any sense. Likewise if I have had a bad experience with a certain manufacturer of handsets, I wouldn’t decide to sign up with that brand again, simply because the speed and ease of using a handset is all important to me. 

So to all those telco brands out there who want to tap into the lucrative, but under-serviced, SME sector here is your check list; know what makes us tick, don’t call us during the day (as that’s when we’re most busy), consider our personal experiences and demonstrate to us that you know our businesses and our business needs. There is nothing more frustrating than speaking to a salesperson that clearly has no idea about your business while expecting you to be bowled over by them. 

Simon is the founder and CEO of Information Arts one of the UK's leading business-to-business marketing consultancies set up in 2000. Simon has over 17 years experience within the industry and is widely regarded as a leading expert in businesses marketing to other businesses. http://www.information-arts.com/