On Monday 14th May 2007, nearly 200 Executives and their partners converged at various airports in the UK, where they were met by Head Office representatives for their flights to Nice and onward travel to the millionaires playground of Monte Carlo.

On arrival at the port, the real luxury began. Anyone who has been on a luxury holiday with Telecom plus, knows that when we say luxury, we mean it! Of course no one needed to carry their own luggage, as it was delivered to everyone’s cabins by the Silversea staff, leaving Executives free to stroll slowly across the red carpet and on to the ship, to be welcomed on board by the ship’s senior staff, delicious canapés and a glass or two of perfectly chilled champagne. This really was a taste of the luxury to come.

Guests were escorted to their cabins, where cabin stewards gave them a tour of their suite (yes, everyone got a suite with either a panoramic sea view or a private balcony), where a bottle of champagne on ice was waiting to be un-corked. You see it really was hard work making it all the way from the gangplank to the cabin! Naturally, the amenities in everyone’s suites, private bathroom and dressing room, the Bvlgari soaps, luxury towelling robes and fully stocked free bar were nothing less than everyone deserved.

Many Executives took the opportunity before the ship set sail to walk around Monte Carlo, which was being set up for the famous Formula 1 Grand Prix race the following weekend, or to relax by the pool, enjoying a drink or five in the sun. After a sumptuous dinner, there was the traditional sail away party on deck under the stars. It must have been quite hot as a few Executives decided to go swimming, fully dressed!

On Tuesday morning the ship docked at the enchanting and romantic medieval port town of Genoa which, after a short coach transfer, everyone was free to explore at their leisure. By late afternoon and once everyone was back on board 140 poker ‘professionals’ and novices got together for the Telecom plus cash prize Poker Tournament, complete with exclusive piggy chips in the Panorama Lounge, while anyone else looking for some organised entertainment joined the Telecom plus Grand Prize Bingo in the Show Lounge, which was expertly called by the one and only Rob Barras.

Following pre-dinner drinks and canapés everyone dined at their leisure, with some of the very top point earners dining at Charles’ table. The amazing Hazel Payne performed a selection of her most popular songs in the Show Lounge after dinner. For those Executives who had the stamina, there was a choice of a disco or Karaoke into the small hours.

On Wednesday morning the ship docked in Civitavecchia, the closest port to Rome. There was a fantastic choice of free excursions including a Vatican City Tour, visiting the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica and time for a bit of shopping, a Rome Sightseeing Highlights Tour which took in The Colosseum, The Pantheon, The Trevi Fountain, The Spanish Steps, some shopping and a brief stop at the Vatican, or a Rome City Centre transfer. Everyone came back to the ship exhilarated after a fantastic day in Rome, and there was just enough time to get ready for another round of Prize Bingo or the finals of the Poker Tournament, which was won by first time poker player, Spencer Thomson. Naturally no luxury cruise is complete without a black tie evening, and this cruise was no exception. It gave a chance to all the ladies to show off their finest evening gowns and the gents all looked dapper in their tuxedos. After a dinner which included only the finest dishes, such as lobster, caviar, goose liver and ‘death by chocolate’ we were treated to an exclusive performance by the amazing Kit and the Widow, who performed a cabaret specially written for Telecom plus. Who can forget that chorus “the greatest cruise to choose to go on, is Silver Whisper with Telecom plus!”

Some got a few hours sleep, many didn’t, before we docked in Nice for the all too soon return to the UK. Everyone who went on the cruise had a fantastic time, learnt a tremendous amount from their fellow Executives, and came away committed to persuading Charles to run another holiday promotion next year!

Silver Whisper Testimonials

Steve Percy

‘If it is to be then it’s up to me’… With Steph Longworth’s words ringing in my ears, some of the many that rightly earned him a standing ovation at Express Day 2006, I headed back to Cardiff. Cruise places go to other people… don’t they? Well why not me. If I do what it says on the tin, and apply the principles that the training and my upline suggest, then my place should be assured shouldn’t it?

I joined the business in early May 2006. This event was closely followed by my wedding to Sian and then a couple of weeks away with the Territorial Army on my Annual Camp. I’m an ex-commissioned Officer in the Royal Marines and I like to keep my hand in. So with the challenges of childcare for our three year old Oliver to consider and our busy lifestyles as an IT Service Delivery Manager and a Podiatrist to balance, the honeymoon was put on hold.

There was surely no way that I could possibly be part of the last 50 to assure a place on the Silver Whisper, a 6 star liner, one of the most luxurious ocean going liners in the world, and yet something told me that if I set this as a long term goal, and ticked off my shorter ones along the way then anything could happen. Hey, even if it never came off, I’d be building my customer and Distributor base and that was all good, so I went for it. Consistency, practice, improving my skills, regular training, reading the books, offering the business opportunity, supporting my business partners and watching their businesses grow… time ticked by and Derek Thomas my upline phoned in December to tell me I was in the top 50 in December 2006. Assuming this was just a typing error, I continued to apply the principles, and low and behold there I was again in January 2007.

There were those words again from Steph ‘…..then it’s up to me’. February 2007 was frantic and really exciting, and that’s from a bloke that used to parachute as part of his day job! The days went by in slow motion and it felt like an age for Head Office to announce the top 50 at the end of the month; but I remember my (and Sian’s) delight to see my name on the Cruise Winners Newsplus released in early March. Absolutely unbelievable. On stage at MAD Day, recognition was reward in itself, but the trip itself was really special, because it also coincided with our first wedding anniversary, and we were able to take on board our newborn Rhys who was only six weeks old at the time.

Monte Carlo, Genoa, Rome, truly amazing, and with the grand total of one Euro spent on a fridge magnet outside the Vatican, it was great value as well. Cuisine has been such a disappointment in the house now that we’re back. It doesn’t seem appropriate to get through as many lobsters, frogs legs and pink champagne as it did in May at no cost to ourselves. To top it off we even had a fabulous desert delivered to our suite from the Captain congratulating us on our first wedding anniversary. How good was that?

So in summary, think about what this would mean to you and believe this can be yours next time. I’ve dispensed with my scepticism now for ever, because I know if you believe in yourself, your team and the opportunity that a fantastic company like this can offer you, then you can realise anything you want in life. You’re only stifled by your imagination. Thank you Steph for those words at Express Day 2006 and for Derek Thomas and Stuart Jones in Cardiff who continue to re-affirm for me that with goal directed action, anything is possible.

Steve Percey - Trainee National Marketing Director and advisor to the Hon Charles Wigoder… Hey, we need goals don’t we……

Gail Bannister...The cruise was absolutely fantastic - especially the food! It was pure luxury. One afternoon, we ordered a huge plateful of chocolate truffles and two glasses of champagne from room service. Then we sat in the sun on our balcony and ate the lot! It was just great to be able to do that - and even better when you think we didn’t have to pay for it!

But the best bit about the holiday was getting to know so many positive people and being able to listen to their stories. We got some fantastic ideas for our business - not only from some of the top leaders but also from people who had only recently joined. The only disappointment was that it was over far too quickly! I can’t wait for Express Day 2007 to find out what the next holiday promotion will be.

Mark Blakemore...When we heard the announcement at Express Day 2006 that there were 50 places (plus partners) to be filled on the cruise in May 2007, my team and I felt really motivated to get more focused than ever before. This was certainly one boat we didn’t want to miss! I remember very clearly the moment after the qualification period in early March when I heard we’d made it - I was in New Zealand at the time and my wife Yvonne phoned from Scotland to tell me the great news. This was a fantastic boost when I was on the other side of the world, away from my family. Basically, all the hard work had paid off. But also, team members Spencer and Maria Thomson, who had been in the business less than a year had also qualified, which was truly a great effort. Not to mention that he also became the Telecom plus Poker Champion on board. He’d never played a hand of poker in his life! Celebrating that was great fun…There were so many highlights that I would love to share, but the main ones for us were the champagne on tap, the superb service on board, the most exquisite food 24 hours a day, fantastic suites to chill out and relax in and, of course, the Telecom plus staff behind the scenes who made the cruise run so smoothly from start to finish. Meeting and mixing with so many positive people was a huge memorable factor as well. To describe the cruise as absolutely fantastic wouldn’t even begin to cover it! We’re looking forward to many more holiday incentives in the years to come - these holidays are truly worth aiming for. All it takes is some self-belief and action. Thank you very much Telecom plus.

Labels: distributor-news, testimonials

posted by Jeremy Tromans at 9/06/2007 02:07:00 AM

The Company's last National Conference, Express Day - September 2006 at the Telford International Centre was a pivotal day both for the Company and for the many 1000's of Distributors who attended...all leaving the day with no doubt as to the direction of Telecom plus. Major service enhancements were announced, distributor commissions exceeding £10m were revealed, along with analysis predicting sales exceeding £500m within 10 years.

However, if the day could have been distilled in to a mere 20 minutes, then it was Marketing Director - Stephan Longworth who really hit the mark, capturing all that this great business stands for in the hearts of those whose futures hinge on their success as Distributors with Telecom plus. This frank, honest and passionate presentation is essential viewing for all existing, new and would-be Telecom plus / Utility Warehouse Distributors.

Watch it now!

Beef Stroganoff...One Excuse is as good as another - Stephan Longworth, Express Day 2006

Labels: distributor-opinion, seminar-news, testimonials

posted by Jeremy Tromans at 5/27/2007 01:05:00 AM

The Utility Warehouse has just announced the Company's top Business Club customer gatherer for January.

"Congratulations to Jonathan Mason who, in January, was the Top Customer Gatherer for the Business Club, scoring the highest number of points for the month. Jonathan deserves special recognition as his January points total was the highest that the Company has recorded in a month since the Business Club Top Customer Gatherer award began in October."

Jonathan commented...

"I am an IT consultant and I bolt my Telecom plus business on to that role. The two compliment each other very well. I try to target SMEs with our mobile phone service and that’s where I’ve gathered the points this month. The current free roaming offer that we have for BlackBerry has really helped too. It makes BlackBerry a very attractive option for owners of small businesses who want to keep in contact with the office wherever they are. I've found it very easy to sell. Signing up a new customer is a great motivator but I also go to COPs and COE training to keep me
motivated too."

Congratulations Jonathan!

Labels: distributor-news, testimonials

posted by Jeremy Tromans at 2/19/2007 01:13:00 AM

Cindy and I joined Telecom plus in its launch year - 1997 and raced through the levels of SE, ED and 50 Plus Club within the first eight months. However, other business interests meant that although my team continued to work and developed extremely strong businesses, I didn't take the active role I should have taken. I was earning a residual income but I wasn't growing my business from the top. Then one day, the Diana half of Clive and Diana phoned and asked, “Dennis, do you know what you haven't earned in the past 18 months.”

I was stunned. No, I hadn't any idea…and it was such a lot of money! That single question, gave me the shot in the arm I needed! I had gone back to working long hours for someone else's benefit and causing health problems for both Cindy and I! Within a month of that reality check, I was back…with a focus and a different approach!

In the early days, focusing on quantity rather than quality, we had found that many of those who signed-up didn't stay. But now, I don't try to convince people to join as Executives. I gently sow seeds with a 'do you know anybody who would like…to change their lifestyle…to earn some serious money etc.' Sometimes I get leads but often I find that the person I am talking to will open up - and I have learnt to listen! What's their lifestyle, what are their goals, what motivates them? Are their expectations realistic, are they achievable? Most importantly, do I think they are the right fit? It's a two-way thing, are we right for them, are they right for us?

I use my own example: starting as a 15 year old school drop-out, through my phase running a successful businessf or some years, then almost hitting rock bottom and bankruptcy - to where I am today, having recently achieved one of my own very personal goals. It's a brand new Mercedes SL; much bigger and much shinier than the DinkyToy version I first admired as a 12 year old and had my eye on ever since! This one is sitting on my drive, not on my shelf!

The key to our business growth now is to cherry pick. We gather those with determination and with a goal. We work closely with our team to develop them and we find we’re motivated by seeing them succeed and achieve their goals, after all, their success pays off for us too. As Executives, we are sponsors. Do you know what that means? It's defined as someone who assumes responsibility for some other person…and that's exactly how we see our role. So we're currently concentrating on getting the team to gather four customers a month with a goal of seeing 10 of themtaking the fabulous Silver Whisper cruise - then it's SMD status for us by Spring 2007!

Labels: distributor-opinion, testimonials

posted by Jeremy Tromans at 6/15/2006 01:46:00 AM

As MD of my own property renovation business I was responsible for 48 staff and all the associated issues and after 33 years felt that there must be something more to life than working between 70 and 100 hours per week.

As a self employed business owner I had been asked to take a look at various business opportunities over the years and tried 4 different networking opportunities, 2 of which gave up before I did! I was rather sceptical when I first encountered The Utility Warehouse, after all, why should this be any different from the rest? The concept of networking is no different in this business, you still have to make and work your list, talk to people, be consistent and persistent but that's where the similarity ends. The services we provide are true consumables; we provide them all on one convenient bill and what a choice we offer!

I was hesitant, and I wasn't sure I believed it when I was told that I would receive all the help that I needed from my upline, right the way up to Clive & Diana. But these were not empty promises! From the moment I started my new business in January 2005, my sponsor Robin has been a tireless source of strength. Without him, I would not have hit my first target, which was to achieve the position of Senior Executive within 60 days.

My life has changed…I now work about 20 hours a week and have a true residual income. Even if I continue at just half my monthly growth rate, in just 4 years I will surpass the earnings it had taken me 33 years to achieve! I still set targets and aim for them - at the moment, I am watching my progress each month as there is no way I am going to miss the boat! I am definitely going to be on the Silver Whisper cruise! Apart from that, my future goal is to become a Marketing Director by Express Day 2006. Those are my own targets for the next year but now I would like to pass on what I have learnt and help some really great people in our team get to their Senior Executive positions and beyond.

Labels: distributor-opinion, testimonials

posted by Jeremy Tromans at 6/15/2006 01:41:00 AM

Less than 18 months ago, the decision was made to build the Telecom plus business with a serious commitment...not to mess around as was done before...but to really give this thing our best shot. At this time I was little more that a Qualified Executive.

Anyway...circumstances change, as do priorities and this business works very well if you get serious, committed and action orientated. Express Day last year was a day that I shall never forget...a day when the penny finally dropped and an understanding gained for the first time as to what this business can really deliver.

When you are surrounded by living proof that the Telecom plus business works, there are no meaningful excuses and only two logical courses of action - you can either go for your goals or stay where you are. By the end of Express Day last year, the gauntlet was laid and a commitment made to achieving five things in the following 12 months...to reach Group Director, to Qualify for Share Options, to cross stage as Number One Recruiter, to take us on the Company Holiday and to park one of those nice Mini One cars on the drive.

When the dust settles and people tell us that these things are not possible, that this type of business never works...we have another choice, to agree and prove them right or disagree and prove them wrong. Personally, I choose not to be bullied around by other people's misplaced opinions and to chart my own course for success.

Sunday October 2nd 2005 was another unforgettable experience and quantifiable proof that this business works not just for other people, but also for you and I as well. Goals backed with belief...backed with action are powerful and it can be no coincidence that each of the five goals from the previous year have been reached. Share options are in the bag, the Mini One is on the drive, Group Director status confirmed, Number One Recruiter achieved and in six weeks time, Sara and I fly first class for an all expenses luxury seven-day holiday to Las Vegas. Where we are going: The Wynn Hotel, Grand Canyon trip, Horse Riding, The Rolling Stones.

These words are not in any way meant to sound boastful, merely to testify to the fact the Telecom plus business works and to say that if I can, then you can. It takes a decision. It takes commitment. It takes a little backbone and determination. It takes a willingness to learn and goal-set. It takes action. But in actual fact, the price of success in Telecom plus is far less than the price of mediocrity on the usual treadmill of life. But...that's just my opinion.

What is more exciting than any of the above is where you choose to go from here, what decisions you make, what goals you set, your personal story of success as the next 12 months unfold and the celebrations that you plan for Express Day 2006.

Utility Warehouse business - further information

Labels: distributor-opinion, testimonials

posted by Jeremy Tromans at 10/07/2005 10:14:00 AM