We closed the first chapter in our TEM series by observing that carriers are providing less support and networks are becoming larger and more complex. Management is reducing headcounts and placing more responsibility on managers. So what do we do?

The answer is, of course, Telecom Expense Management (TEM) software. TEM software is designed to augment the Telecom Managers knowledge and understanding of the products, services and costs in the corporate telecom footprint. TEM software will offer answers to questions well beyond the basics, such as what do I have and how much does it cost? Those questions can be answered by spreadsheets. The question then becomes; what should TEM offer me that is a true benefit?

A solid TEM platform should provide a centralized, web-based solution for procurement and inventory control, invoice processing, cost allocation, budget and spend tracking as well as contract compliance. Exceptional systems will be proactive in nature and allow the users to establish policies and workflow management within the application. A system that can provide the user proactive alerts and notifications as well as policy breach or exceptions is a great benefit to organizations of all sizes.

A TEM solution is not just for Fortune 500 organizations with big, complex networks; although they certainly are prime candidates for this technology. TEM makes a lot of sense for mid-sized organizations that need a system to organize and monitor the transactions within the telecom environment. Most mid-sized organizations don’t invest heavily in telecom expertise. Typically they give the telecom responsibility to an IT person or office manager. The benefit of a TEM solution in these types of organizations are centered on efficiencies and labor savings through automation. Using an application to reconcile invoices with inventory and proactively report on variances and savings opportunities allows time to be spent on issue resolution, not detection. A TEM solution reduces the effort in the accounting department as well. Automated cost allocation, variance and trend reports in addition to proactive alerts makes for a streamlined invoice process.

A TEM solution should benefit both the telecom and finance organizations by providing a common platform for both groups to monitor, control and report on all aspects of the organizations telecommunications. Contact us today about the benefits of TeleBright's TEM solution ManageRight. We will have you up and running in days.

Verbal communication is limited in today's business market. Most exchanges are completed in emails but if you do have the opportunity to speak in person or over the phone - take it! The key to verbal communication is making sure you sound professional and knowledgeable. Eliminate"uh" "um" "like" "you know" "well" "okay" and "sort of".

You may not even be aware of these meaningless fillers, but they distract from the power of your message. Your listeners can become drained from constant um's and over time annoyed. These fillers will present a message of uncertainty.

There is hope for this problem. You can eliminate this habit.

Step 1. Identify the level in which this issue is present in your speaking habits. This includes work and social situations. Listen to yourself when speaking and examine your recorded voice. Does your 5 second voicemail contain fillers?

Step 2. Whenever you catch yourself saying a word filler, just stop talking. Use a pause. Silence will feel uncomfortable at first, but if the pause is no longer than 5 seconds, the listener may not even notice. A pause will help you gather your thoughts while giving the listener time to reflect on what you have just said.

Step 3. Practice with your voicemail and make improvements. Most digital cameras have video, and you can use this feature to record yourself speaking.

Step 4. Ask a friend or family member to assist you in this improvement project. If someone can constantly let you know when you are using this habit, you will quickly break the habit.

Step 5. Another corrective measure is when you feel you are about to use a word filler, take a breath, hold it for a moment and then begin to speak. The focus on your breathing will occupy your mind, keep you calm and force silence between your words.

Step 6. If you still need help join Toastmasters.

Here's to better communication and the elimination of "uhhh" "uumm" and all the rest.

Wireless devices have become fashion accessories nowadays. Kids in elementary schools sport new phones to get the “wow” reactions from their friends. If Apple’s iPhone is out of reach, then they make do with changing their phone’s face plates to bring out a fresh look. Styles of wireless phones change faster than shoes!

So… what do you do with your old phones?

They still contain your information, friends’ phone numbers, personal pictures and playful text messages. Or for corporate users, they may also contain email messages with documents attached. If placed in the wrong hands, this security breach can cause big problems. Recently an attorney exchanged his Treo for a new device. He also handed over all the highly confidential documents relating to a big corporate merger he had been working on as email attachments in his old phone.

Old wireless phones also contain integrated circuit boards and batteries that have heavy metals such as cadmium and lead. Tossing them into the trash where these metals can leach into the ground, or the water table below ground, is a crime against the environment.

In an effort to mitigate these issues, there are safe ways to dispose off your old wireless devices. Most wireless services providers offer a recycling program where you can ensure that your data gets wiped off the phone’s memory before being sent away. There are many organizations that will show you how to wipe off the memory of your phones and then receive your phones to re-distribute it to people with a need in the community, including soldiers on active duty, veterans or their families.

Corporate users have to be very careful in disposing of their phones for trade secrets their phones may bear. Government users’ phones have to be disposed off in a similarly safe manner. The U.S. Department of Defense offers guidelines (5220.22M) for Forensic Data Scrubbing of the wireless devices.

For a one-time fee of about $5, a corporate or government issued wireless device can be registered and certified for safe disposition according to the DoD guidelines. The wireless devices that still have any residual value left in them, their re-sale value can be donated to charitable organizations or made available to corporations or individuals to apply towards their new purchases. Equally important, the property management systems can be electronically updated for these disposition events.

So as you replace your phones, be careful about dumping the old phone. You can do it safely while recovering some value from it for yourself or a favorite charity you support. Here are just a few of our favorites:

Donate Old Cell Phones: http://www.wadt.org
We Make It Easy: http://www.ezpcrecycling.com
Free Recycling Fundraiser: http://www.thinkrecycle.com

We are extremely pleased to announce that we have just committed to serve the following businesses:

Society of Human Resource Managers
APCO Worldwide
MarketBridge
Watson Wyatt Worldwide
Penske Automotive
Children’s National Medical Center

We are truly honored that these wonderful companies have placed their trust in TeleBright. We look forward to successful telecom savings with each of them.

We are thrilled to be working with the following new partners:

Allied Communication
Alternative Communications
Concierge Communications
True Wireless

Our success is growing and we are thankful to be growing with these new partners.

The Aberdeen report Wireless Mobility Expense Optimization is available. Download your complimentary report today!

Come see us at:
Channel Partners Conference & Expo
Secaucus, NJ
September 26-28, 2007
Booth #519