The StoryConnect Podcast

How does the "little phone company down the road" become a respected telecom provider? As CCT has learned, you do it by leveraging your Gig Certification. Website: www.cochranete

CTC runs the broadband service for Arrowhead Electric from 200 miles away. How do they make this long distance relationship work? Website: http://www.connectctc.com/

Is it a good idea to name your 20 Mbps service your "Slow" Package? According to ARPU, yes! Website: http://redrivercomm.com/internet/

How do you know your branding is ready for an update and how do you change it? Amanda Wood of Central Texas Telephone Cooperative shares her experience in making some big changes to the company's identity. Website: www.tdstelecom.com

When do you need a rebrand and how long will it take? CEO Randy Grogan of Ballard Telephone talks us through the cooperative's efforts to change it's identity. Website: www.btcservices.com

If you are in marketing, communications or management at an electric utility or telecommunications company, this conference is for you. Spend a few minutes learning about the great sessions the WordSouth team has lined up for StoryConnect: The Conference 2016. Website: www.storyconnect.com/conference

Graphic designer Gabe Herrera shares what's hot in graphic design including styles, font and photo resources. Website: http://www.hctc.net/en/home.html

Russell Kacer outlines the transformation of Ganado Telephone into YK Communications. He also shares pointers from his TSTCI presentation on customer service. Website: www.ykc.com

TSTCI CEO Weldon Gray outlines the ever-increasing importance of marketing departments. He also previews some legislative issues affecting Texas telcos. Website: http://www.tstci.org/

Customers today have different needs and expectations than previous generations of customers, but just how different are they? In many cases, marketers will need to change their approach and the tools they use in order to reach them. Website: https://www.chrsolutions.com/

What better way to underscore your telcos history in the community than with a museum? Tara Swirczynski discusses how Nortex leverages the Gene H. Fuhrman Memorial Telephone Museum to share its story. Website: http://www.nortex.com/telephonemuseum

Sales incentives aren't just for sales people any more. At Big Bend Telephone, everyone from engineers to accountants has goals for the numbers of upgrades or sales they need to make each year — and they get rewarded for making those happen. Website: http://www.bigbend.net/

What are marketing and customer service folks talking about in Texas? Toni Rivas, who moderated a roundtable discussions at the TSTCI Marketing, Account and Customer Service Conference in Austin shares with us her takeaways from the session. Website: www.tdstelecom.com

Wilkes Communications is a progressive cooperative that is blazing new trails in the telecommunications industry. This interview with CEO Eric Cramer begins with his take on the important of marketing, then explores the progress that can be accomplished by partnering with various institutions that serve a community. Website: www.wilkes.net

Murfreesboro Electric Department recently faced what many utilities would consider their worst fear: a buyout attempt from a larger utility. After successfully defeating the attempt, Steve Sax, general manger, talks about the experience. Website: www.murfreesboroelectric.com

What is the state of broadband in Tennessee? Commissioner Randy Boyd of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development discusses the results of the broadband study his department oversaw. This interview was conducted Tuesday, July 19, 2016, the day the results were released. Website: https://www.tn.gov/ecd/

Sue Kelly, President and CEO of the American Public Power Association, spends her time advocating for the needs of Public Power in Washington, D.C. as well as “keeping away the bad.” In this episode, Kelly discusses a few current efforts of the APPA as well as the role of advocacy in general for utilities. Website: www.publicpower.org

How does the Central Service Association benefit its utility customers, and what new innovations are utilities taking advantage of? Cindy Stoker of CSA sits down with Stephen Smith to discuss her company and the services it offers. Website: www.csa1.com

How can your utility help bring new jobs into your service area? Brian Hercules of the Rutherford Chamber of Commerce talks about the important relationship between your utility and economic development. Website: www.rutherfordchamber.org

The Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association celebrates 50 years of serving its members across Tennessee. Executive Director Mike Vinson spends a few minutes talking about what the TMEPA is, the services it offers and what he’s looking forward to most during the annual meeting. Website: www.tmepa.org

TVA’s recent moves towards Time of Use billing has caused major changes in the way utilities are purchasing electricity. For Tullahoma Utility Board, it’s also provided an opportunity to pass some savings onto their customers, along with a lot of education about how electricity is generated. Website: www.tub.net

How do you go beyond teaching the rules of electric safety to creating a culture at your utility that priorities safety above everything else? Donnie Hall of Johnson City Power Board discusses the importance of getting your utility’s leadership team involved in safety. Website: www.jcpb.com

The Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association makes sure that its member’s voices are heard by the state government. Jeremy Elrod of the TMEPA discusses the importance of public power and several current legislative topics. Website: www.tmepa.org

Public affairs, marketing and public relations all help communicate your company’s goals, but when do you need to use each one? Les Fugate of RunSwitch PR shares his thoughts on those three branches of communication and tells us how to equip your customers to make their voices heard on regulatory issues. Website: www.runswitchpr.com

What happens when a bunch of marketing and customer service folks from telcos around Tennessee get together? Julie Gogel of Telcom Insurance Group discusses drive-thrus, time and temperature lines, cross training and everything else that came up during the Marketing, Sales and Customer Service Peer Group Roundtable Session at TTA’s 2016 Annual Meeting. Website: www.telcominsgrp.com