Letter: Telstra on its latest small business initiative

Monday, 09 July 2007

iTWire recently commented on Telstra's latest initiative to get small business to recognise and exploit its range of sophisticated telecommunications services. Deena Shiff, group managing director, Telstra Business, responds.

I have to agree with you. The key to IT success for a small business is to find someone to interpret their business needs and deliver an effective business solution - without a lot of complexity or set up.

Since the formation of Telstra Business more than a year ago, we have worked towards this end: creating easy to use IP designed specifically for small business, establishing dedicated small business contact centres, and last month, by opening in Parramatta our first retail store dedicated to small business.

I also have to agree with your suggestion that Telstra needs a sophisticated tiered structure that provides training, certification and back up for local people who support small business - similar to the structure one sees in the IT industry.

In March 2007, we launched the Telstra Business Channel Partner Accreditation Program. The program will enable us to identify, train and support accredited channel partners who are able to provide the quality and skills in IT and IP that SME customers require to take advantage of the business solutions now on offer. The Program has had an enthusiastic response from potential partners.

I have to admit that, amongst this wave of change to reach out to small business, the Technology Makeovers was, in contrast, a bit of fun). But the underlying intent is very serious. The makeovers are designed to show other businesses that no matter how small they are, Next IP and Next G, and the business services that will run over these networks, will change the way they do business - in ways only previously accessible to large enterprises with CTOs and sophisticated private IP networks.

So I do recommend you watch the vision unfold starting 27 July at and encourage small business to try it for themselves - by going to a dedicated Telstra Business store or an accredited dealer.

Deena Shiff
group managing director
Telstra Business{moscomment}

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