Master Agent: Identifying the Works of a Master Agent

The question that usually comes to your mind when you see this phrase would be this “what is a master agent?  Well, that is true because this also happened to me when I first meet the word “master agent?

When I visited my friend who is one of the very promising telecommunications businessman in the country I had asked him about the definition of a master agent. He said that generally, that which has direct contact with many carriers is called a master agent. And this position of master agent, according to him, typically is associated with quotas, hence the need for more sub-agents. Form his point of view I understand that you cannot become a master agent if you do not have the so-called sub-agents. Basically, a master agent is a telecommunications company performing back office support for the sub-agents. This includes order tracking, commission tracking, quoting, trouble ticketing and ordering. Among the functions of master agents is to track commissions, quotes and orders. In the usual sense, master agents have employed channel managers who will be responsible in providing support to sub-agents.

Today, we can observe some Master Agencies that sell directly to clients. For instance, PlanetOne’s working contract with a company. This seems at cross aim. It seems that a master agent has given the sole responsibility of focusing on sub-agents total development in business. Well, that is also where the so-called value lies.

Okay, I would like also to touch on commissions. With the consolidation seen lately in the industry, agents are most likely looking for the stability in commissions. One Master, Microcorp, should learn that the company has a Commission Assurance Program. This so-called assurance program is considered a unique benefit.

Level3 and InterNAP, are among the leading telecommunications companies in the country and they are capable of supporting sub-agents to make their master agent program more stable and dependable in terms of actual operations. This means independent agents have to work with a master agent.

The definition of a master agent has also something to do with a certain number of direct contacts plus W-2 employees, as well as a number of sub-agents who are considered in active status, right?

My businessman friend used to have referral partners and sub-agents but he never called or identified himself as a master agency. Well, I think he could be among them but he does not only like the terminology used. However, even then that he doesn’t like it but the fact remains.

Master Agent on the go!

Telecom Brokerage, Inc is a fastest growing master agent in the telecommunications industry. In fact, just recently the company announced the installation of Mr. Jeff Waschler as National Sales Director.

His new role in the company as an NSD means that he is now responsible for the planning and building of new business partners and to create relationships with them. He will be focusing his role also in channel integration as well as developing the company’s Southwest Office. He is also tasked to identify new partners for the master agent while developing his existing relationships. Before he joined TBI, Waschler has worked as the Manager of Commercial Sales for the Cox Business, especially in the so-called Arizona market. During his stay with the said company, he managed a team of direct sales representatives. The group sells a full range of telecommunications products to midsize and large accounts. He was very successful in his role in the company like developing important relationships with partners, most especially in the marketplace.

Since Mr Waschler is now employed by a master agent firm, the said company is also expected to benefit from the solid experience of this man especially with direct sales, sales team management, as well as his active role in supporting referral partners.

“This is a great opportunity for me to assist in strengthening the already established relationships that TBI has with its many partners,” Waschler said. “I look forward to developing a Southwest office that will have the capacity to focus on the diverse carriers that TBI works with to offer comprehensive solutions to our fantastic partners.”

“The channel has grown significantly over the past several years and the opportunity to focus on acquiring new partners and re-engaging existing partners is truly exciting,” added Waschler.

“Jeff strengthens our cableco relationship and focus,” said TBI Chief Strategy Officer Mike Saxby, in a statement. Currently the master agent has direct access to three cablecos and plans to add more in 2012. It has also developed a dedicated back-office to support the cableco, a major differentiator in the industry.

“With Jeff’s background he adds significant depth to our growing cable focus,” said Saxby.

Just recently, reports have it that TBI has inked a business tie up with TMCnet for the preferred contracts for the company’s array of telecom service providers. This will surely help partners as well as sub-agents to have access with the country’s top carrier products and other resources that are considered helpful, as well as Mr Jeff’s expertise in consultation, product training and back-office support.