Husband, dad, writer, MBA, BBQ judge, kayaker, hiker. Braves, Falcons and Florida State
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Articles by Andy Johns
Table Tennis helps stroke survivor Andy bounce back - Sport Wales
When Andy Johns suffered a stroke and lost part of his sight, everyday tasks – like crossing the road safely suddenly became daunting. But after turning to a sport he had loved as a boy, Andy has rebuilt his confidence. Thanks to table tennis , he has regained vision, improved hand-eye coordination and, just as importantly, found a place where he truly belongs. With every hit growing stronger In the months after his haemorrhage, Andy’s vision started to come back.
The Value Based Approach to Selling Broadband, with Joe Kohegyi
What You’ll Learn Calix’s Joe Kohegyi says competing on price and speed is a recipe for failure. Modern consumers want value in their connection and smart broadband marketers are working to communicate the value they deliver. Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources. StoryConnect, helping communicators discover ideas to shape their stories and connect with their customers.
The Importance of Alignment and How to Get There
What You’ll Learn Clever marketing campaigns are fun, but they are ineffective unless staff and sales processes are aligned behind them. Guest Speaker Vernon Johnson Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources. StoryConnect, helping communicators discover ideas to shape their stories and connect with their customers. Andy Johns: What are some things you can do to make sure your organization stays in alignment?
Strategies for Getting Out of the TV Business
What You’ll Learn Facing increasing costs and angry subscribers, many broadband providers are looking to drop TV service. Ending linear video service in a strategic way can leave customers and broadband providers in a better way—as long as it’s done in a smart way. Guest Speaker Jason Cohen Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources.
Lookout Wild Film Festival Set To Return Jan. 17-19 At The Signal
The Lookout Wild Film Festival and expo is set for the weekend of January 17-19 at The Signal in Chattanooga’s Choo Choo entertainment district. Founded in 2013, the Lookout Wild Film Festival seeks to showcase wild places and the people they inspire by sharing conservation and outdoor adventure films from around the world. Tickets to the three-day festival will go on sale Friday, November 29.
Team ThunderForce: How a Dino-Riding Hero Turns Humor Into Sales
What You’ll Learn Incorporating humor into broadband marketing has skyrocketed sales at Co-Mo Communications over the past several years. How did dino-riding Chip Thunder go from a short-lived advertisement to a beloved character among subscribers? Listen to the story on this podcast episode! Find Chip Thunder Videos on YouTube. Guest Speaker Gene McCoy and Patrick Wood Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources.
Beyond Speed: Key Takeaways from Calix ConneXions 2024
Want your broadband story to stand up to competition? Plan backwards, support outdoor community connections, focus on people over product and ask better questions. Earlier this month, 3,000 broadband storytellers met in Las Vegas to try their luck with broadband marketing ideas at the Calix ConneXions Conference. Calix CEO Michael Weening declared “the era of speed is over.” Broadband providers can’t compete on speed alone.
Major Takeaways from the 2024 Calix ConneXions Conference
What You’ll Learn The era of selling broadband based on speed alone is over. At Calix ConneXions 2024, industry leaders focused on subscriber experience and community connection to drive rural broadband success. From outdoor Wi-Fi innovations to strategic planning shifts, here’s what’s next for rural broadband providers. Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources.
A Scavenger Hunt and Livestream for World Wi-Fi Day
What You’ll Learn Mountain Rural Telephone wanted to educate members about Wi-Fi, broadband and the capabilities they provide. So working with local businesses, they built a campaign around World Wi-Fi Day in June. Guest Speaker Lisa Fannin Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources. StoryConnect, helping communicators discover ideas to shape their stories and connect with their customers.
Is Nextdoor a Good Social Media Option for You?
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Broadband Labels Deadline Insights
What You’ll Learn With about two months to go before the Oct. 10 broadband label deadline, Dounia Chikhoune, from JSI, shares insights about on what she’s seen big and small ISPs do to be ready. Guest Speaker Dounia Chikhoune Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources. StoryConnect, helping communicators discover ideas to shape their stories and connect with their customers.
SEO’s Not Dead in North Carolina
What You’ll Learn SkyLine/SkyBest doesn’t let the fact that they are a member-owned telephone cooperative in the North Carolina mountains stop them from fighting hard against big competitors in the search rankings. Edward Hinson shares examples of what they’ve done to move up in the rankings and why it’s worth it. Guest Speaker Edward Hinson Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources.
Four Paths to Promote Your Pod
Like anything else, if you want people to listen to your podcast you’ve got to spread the word. There’s no harm including a QR code or write-up about your podcast in your print magazine or e-newsletter. But if your goal for the podcast is to engage with new audiences who aren’t engaging with your existing channels, you can’t stop there. 1.
Is This The Most Essential Joni Box Set Yet?
yes, please read the reasoning On 1974's Court and Spark Joni Mitchell cautiously dipped her musical toes into the jazz pool, adding some studio players like Milt Holland, Wilton Felder and Tom Scott to the arranging mix and capping the record with a sly, startling cover of Wardell Gray and Annie Ross's "Twisted" found originally on Lambert, Hendricks & Ross!: The Hottest New Group in Jazz (Columbia CS 8198).
The ‘Rural Mural’ Program
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2024 Rural Broadband Streaming and Social Media Study
What You’ll Learn For the second year in a row, price was not the No. 1 concern for respondents in Innovative Systems’ annual broadband survey. What is it that matters most? This episode also includes notes on bundling, social media platform usage, streaming options and communication preferences. Special: Recorded LIVE at StoryConnect 2024! Guest Speaker Scott Meyer Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Andy Johns: Hi StoryConnect listeners.
Nominate a Peer for the D’Avanzo Communications Leadership Award
When you got your job in the utility world, they were there to show you the ropes. You look for them at every conference, knowing they’ll connect you to the people and ideas you need to succeed. They are our industry connectors, the people who see this not as a job, but as a calling. Help Pioneer recognize servant leaders in our industry by nominating them for D’Avanzo Communications Leadership Award.
Using an Internal Newsletter and Intranet to Engage Employees
What You’ll Learn Allison Young and the Kauai team just won an NRECA Spotlight award for their internal newsletter and intranet. What’s their secret for engaging internal communications? Special: Recorded LIVE at StoryConnect 2024! Guest Speaker Allison Young Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readility. Andy Johns: Hi StoryConnect listeners, this is Andy, and I am here just to let you know about a couple of audio problems we had with these episodes.
Persona Based Marketing
What You’ll Learn In an effort to move beyond features like speed, CL Tel has begun discussing its broadband based on what their service can do for specific customer profiles of personas like gamers, remote workers and families. Special: Recorded LIVE at NTCA Guest Speaker Chris Lovell Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources.
Broadband Labels Rules and Regulations
What You’ll Learn Now that the rules have been finalized, Dereck DeVries, of Vantage Point, shares the latest on what marketers, communicators and executives need to know about the where, what and when of broadband labels. Guest Speaker Dereck DeVries Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Andy Johns: Hello, StoryConnect listeners, this is Andy. Thank you again for listening in on this new episode of StoryConnect: The Podcast. We are glad that you did.
How to Add Broadband Labels to Your Marketing Mix
The Federal Communications Commission mandates all broadband-service providers serving more than 100,000 consumers must provide a broadband facts label to help consumers compare prices and options between internet providers by April 10. Smaller utilities have until October to meet the requirement. Pioneer and Vantage Point Solutions gathered resources onto a new page, broadbandlabels.coop, to help Utility Pioneers quickly put the new rules into place. What are broadband labels?
Photo Tips to Tell Better Stories
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How Self-Editing Can Make You A Better Writer
What You’ll Learn Teddy Feinberg, managing editor at the Idaho Press, gives us a preview of his sessions at StoryConnect 2024, where he will be the writing instructor. In this episode, Teddy focuses on the value of concise writing and gives tips on how to improve your writing by self-editing. Guest Speaker Teddy Feinberg Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources.
Recruitications: Using Communications to Recruit Staff
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‘Marquee Moon’ and The Great Mastering Debate
Can good mastering be musically incorrect? Everyone reading this site has by now probably heard about Rhino High Fidelity’s controversial reissue of Television’s landmark 1977 debut Marquee Moon. This latest edition, cut from the original master tape by Kevin Gray, sounds good but nothing like the original US pressing cut at Sterling.
Lookout Wild Film Festival Returns With Fantastic Outdoor Adventure, Conservation Films
The Lookout Wild Film Festival is thrilled to announce the return of their annual festival with a new lineup of films set for January 11-14 in Chattanooga’s Walker Theater. The 12th annual Lookout Wild Film Festival promises a dynamic selection of films that celebrate wild places and the people they inspire. Film topics include surfing in Norway, rhino conservation, gravel biking in East Tennessee, rock climbing in Afghanistan and more.
How Can Culture Get Your Team Through The ‘Great Transition’
What You’ll Learn Ed Wolff says trust, urgency, empowerment and other elements of strong organizational culture can be the keys for telcos and utilities having to reinvent themselves due to changing demands. Special: Recorded Live at the KYRBA/TNBA Fall Conference Guest Speaker Ed Wolff Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources.
Achieving a 4.8 out of 5 on Online Review
What You’ll Learn How can your utility achieve a 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google reviews? Hunter Communication’s Anne Tetamore, VP of marketing, and CEO Michael Wynschenk tell us how valuing both customers and employees plays a key role into achieving success. Guest Speaker Anne Tetamore and Michael Wynschenk Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources.
Making Your Marketing Campaigns Work
What You’ll Learn Calix Marketing Giant Award winner Lynn Hall at Highline Internet shares her utility’s Go to Market campaign strategy, with tips to prepare staff for action when marketing is successful. Guest Speaker Lynn Hall Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources. StoryConnect, helping communicators discover ideas to shape their stories and connect with their customers.
Making Boring Stories Interesting
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Activating Your Members for Advocacy
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Everything Coming Together to Give You a Competitive Advantage
What You’ll Learn From harnessing net promoter scores to refining your strategic marketing plan, Schurz Communications CTO Tom Williams shares highlights from his speech at Calix ConneXions 2023. Guest Speaker Tom Williams Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources. StoryConnect, helping communicators discover ideas to shape their stories and connect with their customers.
Delivering an Excellent Customer Experience
What You’ll Learn Wi-Fi wizards and tour guides are part of how the Jade Communications team powers up the customer experience. Get takaways from the team’s session at Calix ConneXions 2023. Guest Speaker Josh Wehe and Jordan Wehe Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources. StoryConnect, helping communicators discover ideas to shape their stories and connect with their customers.
Calix Takeaways: Focus on Heroes, Foggy Nights and Service
Highlights from the Calix ConneXions Conference Each October more than 2,800 of the folks bringing broadband to Rural America head to Las Vegas to see what leading equipment providers and marketers are dealing out at the Calix ConneXions Conference. As media sponsors, Pioneer storytellers Andy Johns and Megan McKoy-Noe interviewed more than a dozen event speakers and attendees for “The StoryConnect Podcast.” The duo recorded a podcast episode with their top takeaways from the conference.
What Are Some of the Major Takeaways From the 2023 Calix ConneXions Conference?
What You’ll Learn Make subscribers heroes, find foggy night scenarios and focus on service, not speed. Those are a few of the broadband storytelling ideas StoryConnect hosts Andy and Megan share from the annual Calix software conference. Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources. StoryConnect, helping communicators discover ideas to shape their stories and connect with their customers.
Promote Your Pod: How To Grow Your Listening Audience
What You’ll Learn Blue Ridge Energy promotes its “Unplugged” podcast on streaming audio stations like iHeart Radio and MLB At Bat in an effort to meet potential listeners where they already are. Jacob Puckett describes the approach, as well as his perspective on why “every listen matters.” Guest Speaker Jacob Puckett Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources.
Truck or Treat!
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Is Your Brand Iconic?
What You’ll Learn Bryan Rader discusses what it means for a brand to be “iconic” and how broadband providers can take steps in that direction. Guest Speaker Bryan Rader Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources. StoryConnect, helping communicators discover ideas to shape their stories and connect with their customers. Andy Johns: What does it mean to be iconic, and how can broadband providers get there?
Analogue Productions' "Stand Up" Reissue Stands Up to Time Musically and Sonically
cut all-analog at 45rpm from original master tapes Jethro Tull is this weird guy with an old man fetish, who fronts a rock band playing the flute while standing on one leg. That’s what we thought. He made weird noises too, while playing flute standing on one leg.
How to Stream Stories with Podcasts
Community Engagement, Podcasts Back to School Idea Shopping While parents focus on back-to-school shopping each fall, Utility Pioneers search for fresh ways to engage students all year long. We pulled highlights from four episodes of “The StoryConnect Podcast” to share how your peers start young and keep connecting, create hands-on learning moments and let students lead and train teachers, too. Use these school engagement ideas to help your utility make the grade this year!
Shared Co-op Principles
In our community and around the world, member-owned cooperatives make a difference. Cooperatives are created to fill community needs. These needs could be anything from housing and electricity to health care, telecommunications, banking or insurance. Community-owned utilities formed Pioneer, originally named Ruralite Services, in 1956 to provide communication support. Our shared cooperative principles guide Pioneer Utility Resources and keep us focused on our mission: We serve so you can shine.
Highlights from two dozen Brothers and Teachers
This is a recap of a series of interviews with various brothers and teachers, including many fellow writers, all of which are part of the body of work surrounding my book-length memoir An Ordinary Disaster. Here are some highlights from episodes 11–24. TRUE, AND FUNNY TOO — E24 w/ Michael Mohr — I learned by way of our conversation that is just as honest in direct conversation as he is as a writer—and even more fun to talk to.
(Soft)Serving The Community With A Broadband Ice Cream Truck
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Connecting With Each Other Like Humans Do
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Results of our Utility Pioneers’ Survey Drive Direction of Pioneer’s Growth
Every two years we survey Utility Pioneers to find out if we’re meeting shared needs and to identify how we can better serve members. Respondents to the 2023 Pioneer Pulse this spring made a few things clear: Members are increasingly thinking of Pioneer as one unified brand with multiple solutions to help them. They love our StoryConnect conference. They see digital communication as becoming increasingly important.
Engaging Young People in Youth Programs
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Improving Your Video Storytelling
What You’ll Learn Taylor Holland dishes out tips for improving your video work, from planning and preproduction to software and postproduction. Guest Speaker Taylor Holland Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Introduction: A production of pioneer utility resources story connect, helping communicators discover ideas to shape their stories and connect with their customers. Andy Johns: What are some things you can do to upgrade your video storytelling?
Using SMS Messaging to Improve Your Google Reviews
What You’ll Learn In a rare double-Andy podcast, Andy Henderson outlines a text messaging campaign that took his telco’s Google review score from the 2s to the 4s. Guest Speaker Andy Henderson Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources. StoryConnect, helping communicators discover ideas to shape their stories and connect with their customers. Andy Johns: How can text messaging help your Google reviews?
"Decide Nothing" is now An Ordinary Disaster
I’ve been feeling like it’s been time to update the name of my Substack for a little while now, and after a recent workshop session I found myself just going for it. The change I made puts the name of the memoir—An Ordinary Disaster—front and center. I’m still plenty fond of the original name (Decide Nothing), the origin of which is explained in further detail in this chapter.
Building Relationships Between CSRs, Sales and Techs
What You’ll Learn The relationships between staff on the front line of your operation are critical — and sometimes difficult. Tim Gilford shares ideas on formal and informal ways to build strong connections among CSRs/MSRs, techs, marketing and sales team members. Guest Speaker Tim Gilford Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources.
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