Have you read his blog?

I was in a meeting with a customer a few weeks back with the sales manager and the MD of this particular company. I knew the sales manager from way back and he had sponsored us in. On the way out the MD asked me something about Facebook and before I could reply the sales director replied "of course, he talks about this on his blog!"

There's a lot been going around recently about the dangers that having a blog or Facebook/MySpace profile to your business image - but as I wrote recently there are also dangers about not a blog.

However, this comment caught my imagination. Few sales reps will call on a company without checking their website to get some background information. Similarly, few companies will accept a call from a sales rep without checking out the seller's company on-line as well.

How long before it becomes a matter of routine not just to research the company, but also the individual - and you will be expected to have read the blog writings of the person you are about to meet, just as you would their company website?

Why do I need a landline to get broadband?

Final (I hope) thought on Broadband (at least until BT Vision arrives) - why do I need a land line to get broadband? I'm sure there are technical reasons as to why I need to be physically connected, but why do I need to pay for a landline service which I have no intention of using? Even the cheapest BT package is £10.50 per month. Is this just their way of keeping people tied to paying for landline services?

Broadband contract lengths

Another thought on my BT saga - is it me or are 18 month contracts becoming more common? BT certainly did their best to sell me one. Are customers switching more leadinging providers to try to lock individuals in for longer? Will rolling contracts with no minimum term become a key selling point?

I am renting my current place for (initially) a 6 month lease so it did actually make me think twice signing up for 12 months...

Online with BT Broadband and BT Vision

Well - I finally have Broadband in St Albans! The whole process of getting it up and running got me thinking about Broadband packages in the UK

We signed up with BT one of the main reasons being the BT Vision TV on demand option. Both myself and my fiance like watching films, so we thought this might be good. I am also a firm believer that "on-demand" TV is the future. However, BT Vision is not with us yet as you will see.

Before I start recounting my experiencing of ordering a 'single package' from BT I would like to caveat with the fact that the actual experience of getting on-line once the Home Hub arrived was fantastic. Far and away the simplest wireless setup I've ever used, certainly a far cry from the initial offerings of a few years ago.

Anyway - here is how the conversation with BT (over the phone, and paraphrased) went

Me "Hello, I'd like to order BT Phone, Broadband and Vision"
BT "Ok, I can do that for you - can I take the address"
Me "123 my street etc."
BT "Ok, the line there is all ok" (relief on my part as many places I have rented simply haven't been wired)
BT "so that will be ready for you in 16 days"
Me "What?"
BT "It takes 16 days to switch over from the old line"

This is strange. Before, when BT have installed a brand new line it is ready within hourse. However, when all the infrastructure is there, and all they need to do is switch the owner, it takes 16 days.

I then sign up for a 12 month Broadband contract rather than a 18 month one

Me "Can I get Broadband Vision too"
BT "Sure, I'll just transfer you to another department for that"
Me "But I thought it was just a single package"
BT "I'll have to transfer you to another department. And you'll need your order number when you speak to them"
Me "I'm currently in a car (not driving) I can't write anything down. Can you tell your colleague my order number as you transfer me?"
BT "I can't do that, I can only transfer the call, I can't talk to the individual beforehand"
Me "What business are you in?"

So I find a way to remember the order number and get transferred to BT Vision

Me "Hello, I'd like to order BT Vision"
BT "Ok - can I take your phone number"
Me "I don't have one yet, I've literally just ordered it and your Broadband package"
BT "Ah - I can see you won't get one for 16 days"
Me "That's right"
BT "You'll have to call us back in 16 days"
Me (having worked in sales and knowing all about capturing a customer at the moment they decide to buy) - stunned silence

So eventually, once Broadband is up and running (very well) - I call BT Vision

Me "Hello, I'd like to order BT Vision. Here's my BT phone number"
BT "That's great, it will take 8 days to activate..."

I know that Distilled have had some interesting issues with BT Business too. The thing is, I think their products and their vision (no pun intended) are fantastic, and can't wait to get BT Vision. TV on-demand is definitely the future. They just don't seem to be joined up or make it easy for you to buy from them...

A Facebook engagement

Wow - a long delay in posting, a serious crime in the blog scene but I have some excuses.

1) Work continues to take up a huge amount of time, we had a fantastic seminar at Cisco's headquarters last week with over 70 in attendence.

2) Am moving to St Albans and leaving behind my beloved 0207 area code.

3) I got engaged!

There is actually a web 2.0 angle to this as well. Claire only got really excited about the engagement once she was able to change her status on Facebook! Apparently that made it 'official'. Is this the new announcement in the Times?