INDUSTRY NEWS
Daisy gears up for next Dragons’ Den
DAISY Distribution is set to hold its third exclusive Multi-Network Deal Clinic in October. The Dragons’ Den- style meetings allow partners to pitch business opportunities and development ideas in a bid to win support from the trio of participating mobile networks. Julien Parven, Marketing Director at Daisy Distribution, commented: “At the last clinic we engaged with 28 unique partners, sat in excess of 40 deal clinic appointments and uncovered opportunities for 1,600-plus connections. “Partners saw it as a great opportunity to engage with the networks, understand their path and the strategic direction they are taking in the channel.”
BlackBerry presentation on the latest devices as well as sharing sales techniques and activities. Destiny Wireless and Wire- less Logic will be presenting their solutions in partnership with Daisy Distribution. Parven added: “Already, as
Julien Parven
The next deal clinic will be split into three main streams – formal presentations, indi- vidual deal clinic meetings, and a breakout room where each of the network and application partners will be demonstrating throughout the afternoon. The event will be head- lined by a network-agnostic
an O2, Vodafone and Orange partner, Daisy Distribution is in a position to host a multi-net- work event such as this with all of our networks present. “Having previously held single network clinics, we are confident that going multi-net- work is the key to our success and gives us all the opportu- nity to form closer relationships and take away some business opportunities that we otherwise wouldn’t have explored.”
Nexus undergoes brand facelift
NEXUS Telecommunications has undergone a brand face- lift that, says Chief Operating Officer Rob Sims, signals a ‘huge change’ for the company. He noted: “Nexus’ visual identity has become more con- temporary, with the company also introducing a new brand and logotype. The new look highlights the growth of Nexus,
our expertise and a stronger positioning in the channel.” The website has also been revamped, offering an interac- tive service for all customers who are now able to view their bills online and download vari- ous useful documents.
Sims commented: “Little is likely to change for our exist- ing customers. However, under
the new brand we will put more emphasis on our customer ser- vice. It was high time to respond to our growing customers’ needs by initiating a complete rebrand including a major upgrade of the existing website. “We have exciting times ahead and see Nexus continue to grow through our customer base and strategic acquisitions.”
IAN Stainthorpe, MD of VIP Communications, has scooped a Breitling watch worth £4,200 after winning the August segment of Midland Distribution’s dealer incentive for Orange customer retention and new customer wins. Two further prize draws take place in September and October. “The overall winner will be the dealer that has connected the highest number of upgrades and new connections on the Orange and T-Mobile network,” enthused Peter Liley, Sales Manager for Midland Distribution. “The star prize is a pair of Breitling watches with an RRP value in excess of £7,500.”
Peer 1 scores century of EMEA partnerships
PEER 1 Hosting has signed its 100th partner in EMEA since it began trading in the region in 2009, with 70 of these partners coming from the UK.
Peer 1 Hosting launched its EMEA channel program in August 2010 and set the target for 30% of regional new busi- ness revenue to be generated through the channel by 2012. The firm has already exceeded its target in just 12 months. Peer 1’s new Platinum Plus program has helped to open up new opportunities within
Redstone boosts Maintel’s gains
MAINTEL’S interim results for the six months to 30 June 2011 show a strong first half to 2011 with revenues growing by 20% to £12.7m delivering an adjusted earnings per share increase of 21% from 9.8p to 11.9p on adjusted profit before tax of £1.7m.
“Our acquisition of the Redstone businesses in the sec- ond half of 2010 contributed as expected to this growth. How- ever, organic revenue growth excluding the effect of the Redstone acquisition shows a
creditable 10% increase,” com- mented J D S Booth, Chairman. “Strong equipment sales, up 51% on the same period last year, were a significant factor while the underlying annualised maintenance base remains robust, at £12.9m, although so far without the significant new contract wins of the prior year.” He noted that network ser- vices continued to grow mod- estly as predicted at year end but tight cost control enabled gross margins to increase by 2% on this area of the busi-
ness. “We continue to explore ways of building this part of the Group,” Booth added.
Cash balances were £3.3m at period end and the Board is proposing a dividend of 4.6p payable on 7th October. “We remain confident for the rest of the year although market condi- tions are subdued and careful control of costs continues to be a priority,” commented Booth. “We are alert for acquisition opportunities across all areas of our business to harness our cash generation and to take advan-
tage of the high quality service that our network of staff brings throughout the country.” Eddie Buxton, CEO, said: “While market conditions remain challenging, Maintel continues to grow with the new sales pipeline remaining strong across the business including significant growth and invest- ment in data services. “We continue to develop partnerships and are confident they will generate incremen- tal business, with several large opportunities in discussion.”
Pay as you bill* - Voice/VoIP CDR billing *30 day min contract 16 COMMS DEALER OCTOBER 2011
the channel, claims Amanda Dunn, Director of Business Development EMEA. She commented: “With a range of benefits and incen- tives, the Platinum Plus partner program offers elite partners access to executive sponsors, tailored training programs and marketing collateral, in addi- tion to our Evergreen initiative which rewards partners for the lifetime of the customer.”
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SHORT CALLS
Essex-based B Green has linked up with Chess Wholesale and moved its billing requirements to ebillz, Chess’ billing and customer care solution. Barney Phillips, Wholesale Channel Director at Chess, said: “Chess and B Green have strong cultures founded on socially and environmentally responsible business practices, hence there was a clear synergy between our business goals.”
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