Business Solutions for Spring 2020

S P R I N G 2 0 2 0 7 BUSINESS solutions Online Reviews are Big Factor in Consumer Choices More people are looking for consumer- generated online reviews than ever, according to BrightLocal’s 2019 Local Consumer Review Survey. 1 Consumers are becoming more review-savvy, preferring businesses that receive high volumes of high-scoring reviews on a regular basis. Key findings of this survey include: • 90% of consumers used the internet to find a local business in the last year, with 33% looking every day. • 82% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses, with 52% of 18-54-year-olds saying they “always” read reviews. • The average consumer reads 10 reviews before feeling able to trust a business. • Only 53% of people would consider using a business with less than 4 stars. • Among consumers that read reviews, 97% read businesses’ responses to reviews. • 67% of consumers have been asked to leave a review for a local business, with 24% of these being offered a discount, gift, or cash in return. So be sure to give your customers plenty of reasons to be pleased with your products and services, encourage them to post feedback, and respond to this feedback whether positive or negative. 1 www.brightlocal.com/research/ local-consumer-review-survey/ Madison Employee Jill Kohlhaas Receives NTCA Heroism Award During its 2020 Rural Telecom Industry Meeting & EXPO, NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association recognized nine industry leaders for their achievements by presenting NTCA Excellence Awards. Madison Communications is proud to announce that the winner of the Heroism Award was Jill Kohlhaas, our Senior Dispatcher and Plant Records Clerk. Kohlhaas received the award for her quick thinking and compassion while helping an elderly woman in distress. She was nominated by two Madison Communications executives: Kim Harber, Senior Vice President, and Mary J. Schwartz Westerhold, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. Here’s a condensed version of what was shared in the nomination form: “Jill is one of the kindest individu- als you will meet in your lifetime. In May 2019, Jill was returning to the office from her lunch hour when she saw a box turtle in distress near White City, Illinois. Her instinctive kindness and caring for all living creatures made her turn her vehicle around, pick up the distressed turtle, and relocate it to a safe spot on the other side of the road. Those of us who believe in miracles know why Jill was sent to rescue this particular turtle on that particular day. Returning to her vehicle, Jill heard a scream come from a grassy area close to where she placed the turtle. She investigated and discovered a 72-year-old woman lying on the ground, bleeding from a head wound and unable to regain her balance or get up. Jill immediately assisted the woman by calming her and guiding her down the driveway and back inside her home. After learning the woman was home alone, Jill quickly called a relative and waited until they arrived. Jill’s efforts to save the life of a distressed turtle led to helping an injured woman.” Kohlhaas has been with Madison Communications for 17 years and consistently exemplifies professionalism, sensitivity, and kindness. She lives in White City with her husband Ray and beloved yellow lab Grace. The couple has three daughters and seven grandchildren. Congratulations, Jill Kohlhaas, for being an inspiration to us all! FIVE STARS EXCELLENT IMPRESSIVE EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS Jill Kohlhaas (left), Heroism Award Recipient and Senior Dispatcher at Madison Communications, with Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association GREAT SERVICE