Storyconnect The Podcast

Sandhill is exanding to two areas outside of its traditional footprint. How has the cooperative identified opportunities and readied itself to expand.

Jason Shelton has recently taken the helm as Loretto's general manager right after the company had been acquired by another telco. How has Loretto communicated with its customers and employees about these changes?

HTC's service area includes what some experts have identified as the poorest county in Tennessee and the poorest county in Kentucky. How did HTC bring fiber to both?

ATMC is using a rolling grant program to connect difference-makers in their community. Along the way, it's generating positive PR for them.

Innovative Systems has released data showing what television channels are most popular among 60,000 rural viewers. Scott Meyer outlines some of the surprises. Email ScottM@innovsys.com for the latest quarterly results.

Alliance Communications has run promotions instructing members how to cut the cord on video and phone service. What's behind those efforts?

Chris Townson is CEO of DTC in Alexandria, Tennessee, where the cooperative is in the midst of an aggressive fiber construction program.

Converting to new meters is a complex process. How did Murfreesboro Electric communicate about it with their customers? Website: https://murfreesboroelectric.com/

Communication has become more important in the utility industry than ever before. What are communicators talking about at the TVPPA Customer Service and Communications Conference. Website: http://www.tvppa.com/

It's one thing to talk about energy efficiency. It's another to show people what it looks like. Website: http://www.mcknightassociates.net/home.html

Customer service reps need to be trained to ask probing questions to try and understand the customer. How can you equip them with those critical thinking skills? Website: https://www.electricities.com/

When Volunteer Energy Cooperative and Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative partnered together to bring broadband to rural Tennessee, it took coordination and planning for both companies to communicate about the new network. Website: https://www.vec-twinlakes.com/

Through a cyber security training session and "Lunch and Learn" events, ETEX has helped solidify its position as the region's technology expert. Website: https://www.etex.net/

As TTA and KTA conclude their 24th annual joint conference, Tyler Campbell discusses the hot topics: broadband only packages, industry advocacy, and more. Website: https://www.ktaoffice.org/

Innovative Systems sponsored a study that reveals some telling insights into customer demand for video and broadband usage. Website: Full Survey http://www.innovsys.com/innovsys/2018-rural-video-broadband-study-results/

Ad insertion allows local businesses to advertise on your video service, but the industry is adapting to work ads into online video and over-the-top services. Website: https://viamediatv.com/

NCTC uses data to size up existing customers and potential customers. That data helps them fit the customers to the proper services. Website: https://fiber.nctc.com/

What topics are telcos and vendors talking about that the annual KTA-TTA Joint Conference in Bowling Green. Website: https://www.tenntel.org/

When Big Bend Telephone decided to rebrand as BBT, they launched a 10-month process to build a new identity for their brand — one that didn't include the word "telephone." Website: https://www.bigbend.net/

Tim Brinkman has had an uncommon career track and is one of a growing number of "marketing people" to move into upper management at a telco. He joined the podcast right after presenting on this topic at the MTA Marketing Peer Group. Website: https://www.gvtel.com/ Live from the MTA Marketing Peer Group