"Our business is to make changes. Our business is to connect to people, to interact with them in a way that leaves them better than we found them. Every time we create an opportunity, we turn into success." the man behind this success is Stuart Griffiths, CEO of True Telecom Ltd.
It would be great if we could begin with you telling our readers about where the inspiration behind True Telecom originated...
We wanted to create a business that was honest and true to its word. Our vision was to create a company where our staff would be proud to work; so that they would then easily be able to convey our powerful and meaningful message to our customers.
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How long after having had that initial spark of inspiration did it take you to launch the company?
Once we had the initial idea, it took us six to seven months to put a plan into action and to create what is now True Telecom.
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When you were first looking to launch, did you have friends in your professional networks to whom you were able to turn, to complement your skills in order to improve your business or did you €go it alone'?
We had considerable experience in the telecoms industry. Our combined knowledge based on the do's and don'ts of the industry was sufficient in order to aid us with starting up our new forward thinking business ethos, culture and structure.
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How do you keep yourselves apart from the competition in a crowded marketplace?
Your question makes it sound as though you believe the market is over-crowded; and personally, we do not believe it is. This notwithstanding, if one fears healthy competition, they should never consider going into business. True Telecoms success is due in no small measure to the fact that we have competition, which we compete against effectively. We have experienced month on month growth since the company's launch because we offer the best value for money, premier quality telecoms' solutions designed to meet our customers' particular needs and circumstances, and back this with a superb, UK based, customer service and support department that sets the standard our competitors can only hope to achieve some day! It is a formula that is working for us. We are continuing to grow at a steady accelerating rate that is not yet exponential, but is getting there. In fact, we are already looking for new premises to accommodate the extra staff.
True Telecom is an active social media-wise and post with a light-hearted tone. What made you choose this approach in a sector, which is notoriously serious?
When setting up our social media channels we really wanted us to have a noticeable and light-hearted tone whilst still being informative. The telecoms industry can be very serious and we wanted our social channels to help set us apart and our customers respond well to it.
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How else have True Telecom marketed themselves to raise their profile?
Having initially spent time working on our proposition and customer offering; we are now looking to market ourselves more prominently in the months to come. This includes PR support, as well as involvement in various off and online marketing and advertising opportunities. In addition to this, we are planning to attend a number of high profile industry events to discuss True Telecom and our growth plans. _________________________________________________________
Was it difficult to work out a balance between your B2B and B2C marketing activities?
Although True Telecom offer cost effective packages for both commercial and residential telephone setups, the company specialises in providing straightforward telephone agreements with line rentals and call plans that drastically reduce businesses' telecommunications overheads. _________________________________________________________
When you started, what was the largest initial hurdle that you had to overcome?
For us it was the name. We wanted a name that reflected the direction we wanted to take our business. Honest, integral, righteous, unique, ethical and evolutional were all words we were thinking of in order to best describe our business. One day the word True came to us and it seemed to fit perfectly.
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Top tip for those wanting to start out a new business in the technology sector?
When bringing a new or enhanced technological service to the market, it's vital to have a proactive and knowledgeable customer service team to help the customer make the switch from old to new technology as quickly and easily as possible. Our customer service team also makes the customer feel as supported as possible throughout the process and this helps to promote and maintain customer loyalty. _________________________________________________________
Top tip for an individual/s who want to start a new business in general?
Prior to starting a business in any sector, individuals must construct a robust business plan, based on sound financial advice. The key element of any business plan however, is a solid and viable sales and marketing plan without this, no business can ever hope to generate the turnover with which to pay its bills and realise a profit.
How do you feel that True Telecom would be able to assist SMEs in the UK?
While we undoubtedly lead on business mobile, business broadband and business telephone solutions for SMEs, the future for us lies with hosted solutions.
Most businesses hold the resources for their telecoms in house and we believe they are now realising just how time consuming and expensive this is.
At True, we believe that businesses should consider the issues that technological advancements can have on their business. For example, various businesses do not update their computer hardware and software as often as they should, and also neglect their telephone systems. The hosted systems are therefore perfect in these cases as they provide the superior functionality and the flexible framework that can be built around the needs of many businesses as they continue to develop.
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Where do you hope to see True Telecom in 5 years’ time?
In five years' time, True Telecom aims to be one of the top three telecoms companies in the UK. We have €SMART' objectives in place and we are confident we will succeed. You will need to watch this space!
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Finally is there anything else you would like to tell us about True Telecom? _________________________________________________________
True Telecom is affiliated with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and the Institute of Directors (IOD). True Telecom sponsored the 2013 Comms Business (Small Business of the Year) category, and is the 2014 Comms Business Drinks Sponsor.
True Telecom raises £342.29 for Make-A-Wish® UK
We are pleased to announce that employees of True Telecom have raised a total of £342.29 for Make-A-Wish® UK.
True Telecom partners with Make-A-Wish® UK
True Telecom are pleased to announce that over the next 6 months, they are partnering with Make-A-Wish® UK to fundraise for the charity.
True Telecom partners with Perkbox
The UK's fastest growing B2B telecommunications company True Telecom (www.truetelecom.com), has partnered with the employee engagement platform Perkbox (www.perkbox.co.uk), to launch an exciting new incentives, rewards and engagement programme for its staff.
