Why do some companies work with “x” carrier when they need a new phone or Internet service?   Do you have a shortcut to help you with this?

I think that the reason business people work with a particular carrier when they need (Internet, conferencing, voice, or WAN) services has to do with relationship.  I know as a business owner that it’s all about the person and my confidence in that individual.  Even if I think that I might save 10-15% by taking the time to look elsewhere, time is money so I’ll usually go back to that same cell provider, same drycleaners, same carpet cleaner, same electronics/computer store sales person….because I know exactly what to expect.  Wouldn’t it be great to have one place to go, a person or web portal that could list one or two, reliable and trustworthy vendors for whatever service I wanted?

As a proud BBB (Better Business Bureau) member I can tell you that these guys are getting close to providing this for us.  When I’ve gone to their site and opted to do business with one of their accredited businesses, I have not gone wrong.  Things change with vendors though over time.  The first time you use them they’re great, then a year later you go to use them again and they stink.  The same goes with telecom and Internet providers (carriers).  If I’m in the market for a new 3.0 Mb or 10.0 Mb Internet connection, where can I go to find out which one of the providers is doing a good job?  If you want to convert your old frame relay network to a new MPLS or ethernet WAN, what carriers have provisioning intervals down?  Just like being able to visit the BBB site you need someone on the inside that works with these guys day in and day out.  You need to work with a carrier agnostic group that works with all of the carriers and has their finger on the pulse of the industry.

In his book, “Be A Shortcut”, Scott Halford suggests that we all find what we do exceedingly well, and be the shortcut for others.  In the same breath he says, “To be a Shortcut, you must have and use Shortcuts”.  Use a carrier agnostic agency as your shortcut when you need to make the right decisions for your business.