// Business Connections // FALL 2023 1 FAL L 2023 • VOLUME 13 • I S SUE 1 Does Your Business Need a Wi-Fi Upgrade? 3 Spotlight: Madbush Falls 4 // Hosted VoIP Works Wherever Employees Work 6 WCVT in the Community 7 BUS I NESS connections www.wcvt.com Madbush Falls is Vermont’s Ultimate Riding Resource
2 FALL 2023 connections BUSINESS PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Is your business thinking about shifting gears? Perhaps you’ve identified the need to upgrade technology, made plans to add new products, or decided to modify how and where your employees will work. If so, remember that Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom (WCVT) offers communications solutions to handle whatever’s ahead. Page 3’s article asks the question, Does Your Business Need a Wi-Fi Upgrade? If your business is experiencing any of the Wi-Fi issues listed, it may be time to shift gears and get new equipment. On pages 4 and 5, we share a Business Spotlight on Madbush Falls, a place filled with cyclists who know a thing or two about shifting gears. This new basecamp, located on Route 100 a few miles south of Waitsfield village, offers everything Mad River Valley cyclists need in one place — lodging, food and drink, bike repairs and rentals, expert advice, and more. WCVT helps keep the property connected with fiber internet and Managed Wi-Fi. Hosted VoIP Works Wherever Employees Work, as you’ll discover on page 6. This type of phone system enables you to easily switch gears to accommodate remote employees, flexible teams, and multiple locations. We wrap up this issue on page 7 with WCVT in the Community, featuring the latest in community and company news. Mountain cyclists must anticipate the terrain in front of them and shift gears accordingly. The same goes for businesses. Let WCVT know what we can do to get you where you want to go most efficiently. Sincerely, Eric Haskin President & CEO Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom OFFICE LOCATIONS: Waitsfield Business Office 3898 Main Street, Waitsfield Hinesburg Branch Office 14 Thorn Bush Rd, Hinesburg BUSINESS HOURS: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. BUSINESS TEAM: Kris Merchant, Sales Manager 802-496-8554, kmerchant@corp.wcvt.com Kurt Gruendling V.P. Marketing and Business Development 802-496-8305, kgruendling@corp.wcvt.com Business Connections is a publication of Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, electronic, photocopying, recording, mechanical, or otherwise without the prior written permission of Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom. All rights are reserved. Editorial and Circulation Contact: Kurt Gruendling, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom, PO Box 9, Waitsfield, VT 05673, 802-496-8305, kgruendling@corp.wcvt.com All brand names and product names used in this publication are trade names, service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Additional issues are available on a limited basis while supplies last. Please contact Kurt Gruendling. Copyright© 2023 by Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom and Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc. Postmaster send changes to: Lorraine Keener Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom PO Box 9 Waitsfield, VT 05673
// Business Connections // FALL 2023 3 Does Your Business Need a Wi-Fi Upgrade? If your business is experiencing any of these Wi-Fi issues, it may be time to think about a Wi-Fi upgrade: Slow Internet Speeds – You might notice that webpages or dashboards take longer to load or video conferences frequently buffer or freeze. This could mean your Wi-Fi connection is too slow to accommodate the demands of your business. If the upload and download speeds of your current internet plan are plenty fast enough, the problem is likely with your Wi-Fi equipment. The hardware may not be designed to process data or carry information at today’s ultra-fast internet speeds, or it may have simply gotten old and begun to underperform. In either case, you need to replace the Wi-Fi equipment. Weak Signal Strength – You and your team members should be able to get strong Wi-Fi signals throughout your office space. Dead zones—areas with weak Wi-Fi signals or no connection at all —mean your Wi-Fi equipment isn’t providing adequate coverage. Perhaps the router is in the wrong place, has become outdated, or can’t function optimally due to the makeup of your building’s walls. You may want to consider a new router, mesh system, or signal boosters. Security Concerns – Cybersecurity threats continue to grow, some of which are directed at routers. If yours is more than a few years old, security updates may no longer be available for it, which leaves your business vulnerable to attack. You’ll have more solid protection if you upgrade to new Wi-Fi equipment that provides the latest wireless security enhancements. If you have enough on your plate and don’t want to spend time on Wi-Fi upgrades, get Business Class Wi-Fi from Green Mountain Access. This service eliminates the hassles of trying to do your own installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. It also uses Wi-Fi equipment specifically designed for a business environment and offers you low, predictable costs. Like virtually any technology your business uses, Wi-Fi equipment evolves over time to offer more advanced features and improved performance. What also evolves are the Wi-Fi needs of your business, depending on changes in the number of employees and devices, your reliance on cloud applications, the size of your workplace, and other factors. Find out how Business Class Wi-Fi could work in your business. Contact Kris Merchant to arrange a free on-site assessment and discuss the details. Kris Merchant, Sales Manager 802-496-8554 • kmerchant@wcvt.com Watch for telltale signs that action may be needed
4 FALL 2023 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Jonny Adler, founder and majority owner, described Madbush Falls as a “dream property” and “magical place” in a May 2023 Facebook post. It’s easy to see why. “We dreamed of creating the ultimate riding resource in Vermont. Then we found the dream property. We’re smack in the middle of the best riding in the world. Vermont has perfect loamy soil, slab features, hilly terrain, and the standard-setting Vermont Mountain Bike Association. Just across the street (and the Mad River) from us is one of the most extensive, varied, scenic, uncrowded, and straight-up badass trail networks,” said Adler. He continued, “Above all else, Madbush Falls is a magical place, with a waterfall and swim hole that we humans can celebrate and preserve but can’t create. Its energy is real. I felt it the first time I set foot on the property and jumped in the swim hole on a hot day in June 2021. I’ve since witnessed so many others feel it. I’m so thankful for this place and the people who made it.” A Unique, Multifaceted Business Located on Route 100 a few miles south of Waitsfield village, Madbush Falls is on the site of the former John Egan’s Big World Pub & Grill, which closed at that location more than 20 years ago and was mostly demolished in March 2022. Madbush Falls is a unique, multifaceted business that serves as Vermont’s bike and ski basecamp and offers trailside amenities like those that can be found slope side, including: • A new hotel with eight different room types to accommodate groups up to 12 in interconnected spaces • 1 0 glamping sites at Camp Rockaway along the shores of Folsom Brook • Four little cabins near a swimming pond • A locally inspired restaurant/bar for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner featuring Vermont favorites • R iders Outpost at Madbush Falls with a wide range of repair services, a premium rental fleet, and an expert-curated selection of top bicycles, parts, and accessories • A “gear library” that will lend items such as camp chairs, coolers, and bike locks • A dedicated staff of cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts to help visitors enjoy an elevated trail experience in the Mad River Valley Madbush Falls This new basecamp offers everything mountain cyclists need in one place
// Business Connections // FALL 2023 5 Strong Community Connections The mission of Madbush Falls is “To share Vermont’s splendor with all who love to be outside and create incredible riding experiences for those who choose to get after it.” It hosted its Grand Opening August 18-20, 2023, and Adler is pleased with the response so far from the community. “I want to thank the Mad River Valley locals for their enthusiastic support. It’s been great to see so many friends and neighbors come out to Madbush Falls,” he said. Community connections are a fundamental part of Vermont’s thousands of miles of trails, which are almost entirely volunteer built and maintained and designed to literally connect communities. Speaking of connections, WCVT provides Madbush Falls with fiber internet and Managed Wi-Fi to cater to the needs of their guests and employees. Adler noted, “We believe in buying local. Madbush Falls has the signature of so many talented Vermonters on it — from metal work, woodwork, and artwork to landscaping and interior design. So, when it came time to select our communications provider, WCVT was the obvious choice. The WCVT team provides great internet and Wi-Fi solutions, and being local, they’re super responsive whenever we have questions.” The appreciation goes both ways between Madbush Falls and WCVT. Kris Merchant, WCVT Sales Manager, said, “We’re truly grateful to Madbush Falls for their vision and their investment in the Mad River Valley. Good luck and happy trails to them!” We believe in buying local. Madbush Falls has the signature of so many talented Vermonters on it—from metal work, woodwork, and artwork to landscaping and interior design. So, when it came time to select our communications provider, WCVT was the obvious choice.” — JONNY ADLER, FOUNDER AND MAJORITY OWNER, MADBUSH FALLS WELCOME NEW BUSINESSES When you buy local (and dine local, play local, and give local), everyone benefits. It improves our local economy, creates more local jobs and opportunities, and retains the unique character of our local communities. Please support these newcomers. 116 Fitness Hinesburg – 802-482-5900 Inklings Children’s Books Waitsfield – 802-496-7280 Madbush Falls Waitsfield – 802-496-7575 Mad River Exchange Waitsfield – 802-496-4337 Whether your business is just getting started or you’ve been in Vermont for years, be sure to take full advantage of the resources available from your area’s Chamber of Commerce. Addison County Chamber of Commerce www.addisoncounty.com Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce www.madrivervalley.com/about/ chamber
6 FALL 2023 These days, fewer businesses function solely from one location. It’s more common for work to sometimes take place in different places, depending on the employee and the demands of the day. You may have employees who always work from home, for example, or employees who frequently work on the road. Unlike a wired PBX system with physical phone lines, Hosted VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a location-independent solution that enables employees to bring their business phone line with them anywhere they go. VoIP transforms voices into digital data packets, which are transmitted through the internet. Calls can be made through a computer, smartphone, tablet, IP phone, or even a traditional phone connected to an adapter. Hosted VoIP is an excellent choice if your business includes one or more of the following: Remote Employees – They can make and receive calls at home using their normal work number and have access to all the same calling features available at the office. Flexible Teams – Do you add temporary employees during your busy season or regularly hire new employees? Hosted VoIP makes it easy to generate and discard numbers so each employee has a unique account with no mix-ups with previous number holders. Multiple Locations – If you’ve opened a second store or have office locations in several cities, Hosted VoIP provides the same unified phone system to all locations. Employees who work in multiple locations can keep the same personal business number no matter what office they’re in when they answer the phone. Vehicle Fleets – Hosted VoIP offers communications mobility for teams on the road such as home service technicians or delivery drivers. Business Travel – It’s easier for your traveling employees (and their callers) if the same personal business number is always used. With Hosted VoIP, they can log into their business phone from anywhere. WCVT’s Hosted VoIP is called Hosted IP Phone Service. To learn more about it, including the variety of features and phones available, visit www.wcvt.com/services/telephone/hosted-ip-phones/. MEET OUR HOSTED IP TEAM When your business uses one of WCVT’s Hosted IP products—such as Hosted IP Phone or Business Class Wi-Fi services— you benefit from an expert team behind the advanced technology. The WCVT Hosted IP team includes: • Dan Fuller Business Systems Supervisor • Nick Sterner Business Systems Specialist II • Kris Merchant Sales Manager • Kevin Davis Business Systems Specialist II • Trevor Gaylord Business Systems Specialist II • Jada Munro Business Systems Administrator They’re responsible for the coordination of project resources in support of our Hosted products and wiring installations. They plan all aspects of complex projects from inception to conclusion. This helps to provide excellent customer service by building productive working relationships with WCVT’s customers, suppliers, contractors, and vendors. Have questions or need support for your Hosted IP Phone Service? Email the team at HPBX@corp.wcvt.com or call 802-496-8309. (L to R) Kevin Davis, Dan Fuller, Trevor Gaylord, Nick Sterner, Jada Munro, and Kris Merchant Hosted VoIP Works Wherever Employees Work
// Business Connections // FALL 2023 7 WCVT in the Community Being a local business means that our customers are also our neighbors and friends. Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom feels strongly that community involvement isn’t just a nice thing to do; it’s the right thing to do. Team WCVT Helps Out WCVT employees, Caleb and Chris, are usually high above the ground repairing utility poles. However, they recently swapped their tools for paintbrushes to help spruce up the flagpole at Waitsfield Elementary School. This act of volunteerism not only added a fresh coat of paint, but also symbolized unity and support for the local school and community. Great job, Team WCVT! WCVT Welcomes New Employees Our team is working hard to continue the evolution of our network, and we convert more customers to high-speed fiber optics each day. We know the need for additional bandwidth is real, as so many of us work and learn from home, access telehealth services, and use the internet to stay connected with family and friends. We’re excited to welcome these two new employees to our team. They’ll help us achieve our goals of providing exceptional customer service and the latest communications technology. Sponsoring Fall Events Year after year, WCVT demonstrates our commitment to the communities we serve through our community relations programs and support of local organizations. We were proud to sponsor the following events this fall: • Vermont Works for Women Expo • Bristol Harvest Festival • Richmond Art Crawl • Warren Elementary School Harvest Dinner We also give each employee 16 hours of community service time yearly to be used on local projects. If your organization is looking for help, contact Lorraine Keener at 802-496-8379 or lkeener@corp.wcvt.com for more details. • Manage Your Account - Your account information is all in one convenient place you can access anywhere at any time. • View & Pay Your Bill - View your charges and set up a one-time credit card or bank payment, or monthly automatic payments so you never have to worry about remembering a due date again. • Sign-up for eBill - Save time and money — no more stamps to buy, checks to write, or envelopes to mail. • Report Service Issues & Outages - If you’re experiencing an outage at your home, you can report that through SmartHub and provide other important details, which helps us identify the cause. Visit wcvt.com/smarthub for more information. Manage your account at anytime from anywhere! Save Time and Money with SmartHub Brittani Lepri Customer Service Jerry Belmonte Telecommunications Service Technician
Meet Our Business Sales Team WCVT is committed to moving your business forward with a comprehensive line of communications solutions. Our Business Sales Team is ready to discuss your needs and recommend the right combination of services to help increase efficiency and productivity. Call 802-496-3391 to learn more. Kris Merchant Sales Manager kmerchant@corp.wcvt.com 802-496-8554 Dan Fuller Business Systems Supervisor dfuller@corp.wcvt.com 802-496-8590 Jada Munro Business Systems Administrator jmunro@corp.wcvt.com 802-496-8302
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTMzNDE=