Well, as of 9:30 this evening I'm back in town. Tim and I got up early this moring in Greenville, SC and completed our last day of training and then took the FOA CFOT Exam (Fiber Optic Association's Certified Fiber Optic Technician). As of tonight, with a passing score of 93, I am officially a licensed fiber technician for the USA. I know it's not a large step for most people, but after a few years of doing fiber optics anyway, it's nice to have some accreditation to back it up. This also set me up for the next stage, which is becoming an AFL partner in eastern North Carolina, which will allow me to offer a 25 year warranty on all our fiber work, in addition to the 25 year warranty we already offer on our HellermannTyton twisted-pair networking.
END OF BACK PATTING SESSION...
Ok.. the part I want your opinion on.
Ok. I have an opinion question and PLEASE take a moment to respond to this and let me know your opinions. I need to settle on a name for the corporation to be able to accept our partners into our personally owned business. We already have 3rd and Wayne, which is technically a sole proprietorship. However, in my mind, if I were a partner coming in to join the business, I'd prefer to a) Have my name on the letterhead too, or B) Be joining a corporation that isn't specifically representative of any person or persons.
To that end, we have bought and purchased a few different names over the last few months, and now it's time to decide. As primary shareholder, I can technically make the decision on my own and run with it, but I'd prefer to have the agreement of the BoD. There are currently two names on the table for discussion. (PLEASE COMMENT ON WHAT YOU THINK.. AND COMMENT HONESTLY)
Option 1: Twisted Networx (www.twistednetworx.com and www.twnetworx.com)
Pros:
- Twisted Pair networking is what we specialize in, so having the name include that will really help build brand relevance in the SEO market.
- It's "punchy"... it has a lot of intrinsic capabilities for branding and logo ideas.
- I really really like all the ideas that I think I can do with that name.
Cons:
- It doesn't mention fiber, or wireless, or telecom specifically, so some people fear that it may alienate those markets.
- Some people have expressed that the older style connotation of the word "twisted" doesn't suggest a good job... saying "that's twisted" used to mean that somethign was "not right" or "messed up."
Option 2: Fidelit(y) Networks (The "y" is shaded out, but it's there still)
Pros:
- The actual "meaning" of the word stands for loyalty, integrity, honor, attention to detail, etc... basic principles that I believe in personally and that I strive to show my customers in my work.
- It sounds more "old-school" and seems to incinuate longevity, more so than the other option.
- It's not indicative of any particular type of business, so I could offer other services or the company could make a lateral market shift a few years from now and wouldn't be as affected by it from the branding perspective.
Cons:
- Absolutely no "punch".. no "zing".. no "shinyness" to the brand label.
- The word "fidelity" is used throughout the financial industry and may brand us as a financial organization to those that dont' know better.
- The name is actually "fidelit" (without the Y) so we may run into issues with people trying to spell it, or maybe it will come across to others as being pronounded "fiddle-it"..... which is not what we're going for here.
RESPONSES?
Seriously, whoever you might be, take a moment and send me your opinion. Even if you just take a second to make a comment about one or the other, ANY input is welcome. I'm at the point where I need to make a decision, and while I'm capable of doing it fine on my own, I know that I sometimes get near-sighted with my visions for the company so I want to hear what the world at large thinks.
Any and all opinions welcome.
Tommy,
ReplyDeletePeople are right about Twisted Networx sounding unprofessional. But the Fidelty Networks is boring like you said, kinda sounds like a bank, insurance or collection agency.
I have a thought for the name bades on the work I've seen you do myself.
Integrity NetworX
Webster definition of integrity.
Main Entry: in·teg·ri·ty
Pronunciation: in-'te-gr&-tE
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English integrite, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French integrité, from Latin integritat-, integritas, from integr-, integer entire
1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : INCORRUPTIBILITY
2 : an unimpaired condition : SOUNDNESS
3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided : COMPLETENESS
synonym see HONESTY
keep the X in NetworX and illustrate the X as intertwined twisted pair.
I'll think up a few more, and hit you with them when they come to me.
oooops. Pardon my mispelling simple words it's like 5 am.
ReplyDeleteI have a thought for the name bades on the work I've seen you do myself.
should be.
I have a thought for the name based on the work I've seen you do myself.
Dear Tommy,
ReplyDeleteI have been late with my response to you. dont blame it on the inshallah please blame it on the exams and hectic family here.
In any case, I want to ask you some questions before we discuss some of the things that I will be involved with in Libya in the coming months
1) will u be going back? if so when?
2) How is it looking in terms of fiber optics contracts over there?.. I understand that your work is primarily with GPTC (which explains your rough work expereince lol).. is there any demand from the private sector.
3) what is the situation with fibre-optics infrastructure in Libya..?
These questions will help me understand the nature of your needs in Libya. Ill be short to the point right now and we can expand if you wish.
there are three main enterprises that I will begin coordinating starting this summer
1) ethical tourism to Libya
2) using ethical tourism capacity (volunteers) in Libya to create a new elnglish language and ECDL teaching dynamic.. first of it's kind (which will also help us prepare to create a productive international environment that faciliattes skill sharing and spillovers to Libyan students)
3) A business incubation centre. This will be basically a business hub that will offer foreign and domestic businesss (from critical service sectors) the chance at operating in Libya with the mimum fuss. We will be providing 3 things, Accomodation (guest houses, office space etc), Facilities (meeting and board rooms, internet connectivity, (online) conferencing facilities, office and workshop space, warehouse, parking etc) and finally businesses services (access to our specialised lawyers, access to finance, access to professional accountants, transport, recpetion work, marketing and research, clerical and administration, human resource services).. these services will be provided as packages for businesess foreign and domestic for temporary periods (6 months - 1 year) while we help them enter the market , find better accomodation and help them set up in Libya.
those will be the three areas of my activity in Libya.. now I would be extremly delighted if you were to discuss these prposals with me as I feel that we may have a very productive partenrhsip in Libya.
P.s.. please not .. this is nt a state excercise.. its comletely private so the profit motife that commands the incentive for quality, professionalism and productivity is the principa here..
another P.S.. I like Tom's Integrity NetworX :)
hope to hear from you soon
I like Integrity NetworX as well and I have to admit, that while Twisted Networks is punchy as you say, it does not exactly inspire confidence. Especially as right now the word Twisted in its colloquial form does not have good connotations. Just an opinion. Good luck, Cuz.
ReplyDelete