8 a.m.
Registration & Coffee and Danishes
8:30 – 9 a.m.
Telecom Negotiations Gone Awry: Chairman's Welcoming Remarks & Introduction
Hank Levine – Levine, Blaszak, Block & Boothby LLP
9 – 10 a.m.
The 5 Biggest Carrier Myths Debunked
Laura McDonald – Levine, Blaszak, Block & Boothby LLP
Ever hear “I can’t give you that. Carriers are required to treat all customers alike”? How about this one – “The bill isn’t late, I have two years to back bill!” There are many more of these carrier myths, and just about all of them feature misrepresented and misunderstood legal and regulatory rules. Join Laura in this eye-opening session as she cuts through the noise and reveals the real ground rules for your negotiation.
10 – 10:20 a.m.
Refreshment Break & Exhibits
10:20 – 11:35 a.m.
Blueprint for a Successful Procurement: 7 First Steps
Ellen Block & Hank Levine – Levine, Blaszak, Block & Boothby LLP
Jack Deal & Larry York – TechCaliber Consulting LLC
Your telecom contract negotiation will not succeed without intensive, comprehensive planning. Pick up the blueprint for that success in this session when our experienced speakers reveal the keys to maximizing your leverage ... setting commitments (HINT: shadow traffic helps) ... managing your CFO and CIO ... spotting pricing opportunities (and fallacies) ... and more. After this session, you’ll be on your way to a procurement that puts you – not the carriers – in the driver’s seat for maximum savings.
11:35 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Blueprint for a Successful Procurement: Doing the Deal
Ellen Block & Hank Levine – Levine, Blaszak, Block & Boothby LLP
Jack Deal & Larry York – TechCaliber Consulting LLC
An RFP can be your strongest ally – or your worst enemy. Baseline traffic and spend information is absolutely critical, but it must be credible. Vendor end-runs will happen – but you can turn them to your advantage! You think you have winning deal ... but then vendor “drags,” “wags” and “snags” appear (don’t worry... we’ll explain these inevitable “gotchas”!). In this blockbuster session, learn how to make sure your execution is as successful as your planning.
12:45 – 2 p.m.
Networking Luncheon & Exhibits
2 – 3:20 p.m.
Contract's Ts & Cs: Payment Terms & Commitments
Ellen Block, Deb Boehling & Hank Levine – Levine, Blaszak, Block & Boothby LLP
Ben Fox – TechCaliber Consulting LLC
Your contract should reflect the deal you negotiate. But all too often, contract Ts & Cs on critical matters like rate stability, spend commitments, surcharges, install waivers, shortfall and termination charges are hamstrung by a lethal combination of service guides, tariffs and confusing, misleading, vendor-driven contract clauses. You’ll see real-world examples of these pitfalls, and then get prescriptions to find and fix them in your deal. Learn how to get an air-tight contract that works for both parties, not just the vendor.
3:20 – 3:40 p.m.
Refreshment Break & Exhibits
3:40 – 5 p.m.
After the Deal is Done: Implementation, Service & Operational Issues
Ellen Block, Deb Boehling & Hank Levine – Levine, Blaszak, Block & Boothby LLP
Ben Fox – TechCaliber Consulting LLC
Your deal really begins when the contracting process ends, and your agreement must protect you throughout the term of your deal. But key provisions are often overlooked. Network migrations from one vendor to another, service level guarantees, implementation (of new network platforms and services), account team support and management reports are just a few of the protections you need to bake into your contract. Vendor “boilerplate” won’t do (the only right it gives you is the right to a conversation). This session will tell you how to get what you need from your deal!
5 – 6:30 p.m.
Networking Reception & Exhibits
