Consolidated Communications Rolls Out Transformed Agent Program

Consolidated Communications (CCI), the provider of broadband and business communications, on Tuesday unveiled its updated agent program designed to modernize how it works with its partners by increasing the incentives and benefits it offers.

Renamed Partner One, Consolidated’s channel partner program officially debuts March 9 at the Channel Partners Conference & Expo in Las Vegas.

Darren Peterson, Consolidated’s senior vice president of commercial sales, tells Channel Partners his company recently refined the program to focus on growing channel sales, and further committing to partner and customer success.

Consolidated’s Darren Peterson

“To do this, we embarked on a program assessment that included conversations with partners that revealed an opportunity to drive more awareness of the Consolidated brand, find ways to reinforce our commitment to the channel as a company, and better differentiate what we offer to partners compared to other programs,” he said. “We also learned there is a real opportunity to grow business with more than 270 existing partners.   

Key features of the new program include: the Partner One Portal, a full-service, online portal that serves as a relationship management system designed to enhance the partner experience; the One Club, a performance-based recognition program where top-performing partners are rewarded for their performance with marketing development funds and other incentives; and Partner One Advisors, a steering committee to assist in improving the partner and customer experience.

In addition, the program offers On the One, an e-newsletter that includes the latest announcements and resources on a monthly and quarterly basis, and a new social media presence.

“This program allows Consolidated to build better relationships with an even more diverse group of partners,” Peterson said. “Our customers don’t all look the same, nor do our partners, and creating a program that meets the needs of a diverse, growing and evolving channel partner community was crucial for CCI. Examples of this include partners focused on products, such as security or software, and also those focused more on vertical markets, such as health care or government and education. The company is especially focused on working with partners that have on-net opportunities and on helping position Consolidated’s full suite of business solutions.”

The new program emphasizes working together as one team and delivering on its program “pillars of empowerment, innovation and connection,” he said.

“Partner empowerment means building relationships and providing resources to help our partners succeed, whether it’s through partner onboarding or training, online tools or business plan reviews,” Peterson said. “It also could be the opportunity to earn co-marketing funds and recognition in the One Club. Innovation is another key component of our new program. We can help partners meet the business needs of their customers with the right products and creative solutions. It’s also about evolution and listening to partners talk about their needs and customer needs to advance the program over time. Finally, connection means not only providing reliable communications services, but prioritizing the need to keep partners informed and well supported within our competitive service areas.”

Consolidated services consumers, businesses and wireless customers, and wireline carriers across rural and metro communities and in a 23-state service area. Leveraging an advanced fiber network spanning 37,500 fiber route miles, Consolidated offers a range of communications solutions, including high-speed internet, data, phone, security, managed services, cloud services and wholesale, and carrier solutions.