Natural Habits, LLC

Introducing: Telecom DYI! Where I'll provide you with regular tips and tricks to control and optimize your monthly spend on that stuff you need for your business: telecommunications. Today, we'll talk M&A. Mergers and Acquisitions. It's happening throughout the corporate world. I have been speaking with folks a lot recently about this, and one of the things that seems to be on repeat is the debris clean up needed after, which, if not carefully planned for, can go on for months or even years. When companies are considering merging, there's a fair amount of investigation being done. Staffing. Physical space needed. Duplications identified and how to eliminate/mitigate them. And all to assure a smooth transition and optimal ROI. Here's a thought: Add your services such as voice, data and wireless communications to your due diligence process. I'll let you in on a little secret: those service contracts can often be renegotiated so that in the event of an M&A event, you won't be on the hook for those services that you can't use. And as you consolidate services and disconnect those you don't need, you'll be subjected to fewer penalties. How? First, collect your contracts. It's as easy as contacting the suppliers you pay and asking for your in-force contracts. (hint: if they can't produce one, CHEER! Because that means you're ready to negotiate) From there, you can produce an inventory of services you pay for, including their contract expiration dates, and can zoom into what you can afford to eliminate post-merger. M&A doesn't have to be scary; it can be an exhilarating time. And eliminating the debris that can occur post-event can be easier than you think. Happy Mergering!

It's 2024. Do you know where your contracts are? One big way companies waste money on telecom/datacom services is by ignoring their contracts. Most don't even know where those documents ARE! The "one and done" strategy is over. Rates for services are ALWAYS changing and usually in your favor, but are you stuck in auto-renewal land? We can lead you out into the sunshine. Let's dig those docs up and get them updated! #oldratesnotgood #contractrefresh #techrefresh #telecommunications #costsavings #dontgoitalone #wevegotthis

An amazing and alarming story crossed my path today. A school system was faced with a $2.2million phone bill after vacating their HQ site for another. The crux was that the phone service was apparently not disconnected after they moved and the bills piled up. Schools are funded by taxpayers and it got pretty sticky. Lawyers got involved on both sides. A settlement was reached. How can something like this happen? How can it be avoided? There are lots and lots of things that can/should be done to mitigate something like this; maintaining proper documentation, warehousing contracts, oversight of invoices by more than one department, conducting an audit/inventory, and careful contract negotiation, to name just a few. In the flurry of activity surrounding any organizational change, be it downsizing, M&A, moving/consolidating, etc., it's critical to keep an eye on infrastructure costs such as telecom. We know how to keep these issues from becoming train wrecks. We've been doing it for over 30 years. We're happy to explain how. https://lnkd.in/gQ9SckB3 #dontletthishappentoyou #weveseenthisbefore #wevegotthis #telecommunications #costmanagement #costreduction #avoidthetrainwreck #friendsdontletfriendsdotelecomalone

Let's talk telecom audits! (Yeah, dry, I know but hear me out) An audit, and hopefully a resulting inventory of your telecom assets is essential in controlling your costs and helping you project your future budgets. But how to proceed? Here I discuss the two types of auditors, how they differ and what to look for to make sure you're getting the RIGHT advice. We love talking to people about telecom! It's what we've done for 30 years and there isn't much we haven't seen. Or fixed! Let's chat! Shoot us a message or click below for some meeting times. https://lnkd.in/gQ9SckB3 #telecommunications #costcontrol #telecominventory #wehaveyourback #wevegotthis

When considering a telecom audit to find cost savings or just to create an inventory, which is better? Automated or Artisanal? Certainly, an audit using automated means is fast, and you'll get a result, but working with Natural Habits, where we take the tried-and-true approach, looking at every possibility for cost savings, can find savings the others may miss. Automated vs. Artisanal? Which is right for your business? https://lnkd.in/gQ9SckB3 Send us a message below or contact us for a quick chat. We'd love to hear from you. #telecommunications #costsavings #telecom #wedoitoldschool #findingeverypenny #youllbegladyoudid

Australians have a lot of interesting expressions they use. "She'll be right, mate" ("It'll be ok") and "that's really how's your father" ("that's not optimal") are amusingly commonplace. There's one that really inspired a sense of relief and comfort when I first heard it: "Leave it with me". In the US, we tend to say "I've got this" or "I'll handle it" which ring a little differently to me, but "Leave it with me" says, "Relax. You can let this go and take care of other things in your life". It's one of the "Power of Small Things" I love. So it is with your IT and telecom ecosystems. You have a business to run and that requires so much of your own time, attention and expertise. We are the experts in the area of managing the telecom environment. We've been doing nothing else for the last 35 years and we've seen it all. Leave it with me. #telecommunications #costcontrol #wevegotthis #leaveitwithme #powerofsmallthings #phonebills #audit #costreduction

Introducing: the Power of Small Things (P.O.S.T)! You may have guessed by now that I believe in little things making a big difference. Take for example, the impact that a dripping faucet can have on your water bill. Or that mosquito that keeps buzzing around your head all night. OR, one of my favorite examples recently (see previous post), how a small thing like reconnecting with an old friend can make your (and their) day. We will be sharing examples we've seen of little things making a big difference; after all, we can make big things happen by implementing little things. I follow Dan Harris (@danharris on IG), the author of "10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works--A True Story". Dan's recent post discussed how studies have shown that "micro interactions", or little exchanges with people you encounter, can have a huge impact on your own mental well-being. Something as simple as a smile, a compliment or just some kind of positive interaction with the other person can change their day, and yours. The key is to make it intentional and genuine. Authentic communication fosters empathy, which fosters trust, and #trustiswherethemagichappens. So keep an eye on this space, and watch for our series of P.O.S.T.s. And send us your favorite examples of the Power of Small Things! #powerofsmallthings #authenticcommunication #littlethingsmakeabigimpact #littlethingsaddup #naturalhabits

The good brain feels. The feeling you get after connecting with someone you like, or respect, and/or admire. The happy brain chemicals serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin are released when you're engaging with someone you appreciate. Especially if you haven't interacted in a while. I've been reaching out to and (actually) talking to people lately that I used to work with, used to hang with, and just generally have lost touch with. It's been better than I expected. I've come away from each episode feeling that brain rush of happy. That feeling you get when you're smiling just thinking of them. The fact that just talking with them and seeing their faces makes me remember how they make me feel. Every time. And guess what? It lasts. It's better, I'm finding, than surfing socials, clicking on whatever with random "likes" and counting my followers to get gratification. The followers you have on socials are fine, but who are you following emotionally? Who's following you? Maybe do yourself (and those you remember fondly) a favor and reach out to someone. Ask how they've been and set up a coffee or a zoom call. I'll bet my next lunch you come away with the good brain feels. #authenticcommunication #empathy #trustiswherethemagichappens #reallifeconnections #trustmeitworks

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I have had *such* a blast these last couple of weeks, reconnecting with sales professionals I've admired throughout my career, asking what they're doing now and how it's going. You may know that I have worn two hats in my career: I've been both a buyer and a seller, and I've learned a lot from both positions. There are a number of different personality styles in sales, but the best of the best have one thing in common: they know how to communicate well. What's that mean? Well, they understand how to foster a genuine connection with their audience. Have a look at the two in this image: do you think the buyer is "buying" what the salesperson is saying? The best of the best listen closely, tell the truth and engage with an authenticity that generates trust. And as we say so often, #trustiswherethemagichappens. Are your sales teams fostering trust with your intended clients? #getintouch #wecanhelp #communicationiskey #nosuchthingasrapport