Sep 26 2024 48 mins
After spending 15 years as a lobbyist on Capitol Hill, Bill Power joined forces with Greg Praske in 1991 to co-found Association Resource Group, or ARG. Initially focused on selling affinity programs to national trade associations in Washington D.C., ARG expanded into telecommunications, where Bill learned the ropes the hard way, paving the way for the creation of the Agent Alliance. What began as a casual 'caring and sharing' group quickly evolved into The Alliance Partners, a powerful collective-buying consortium. Since 2007, Bill has served as the full-time CEO of The Alliance, guiding its growth and influence. In addition, he is a facilitator of several industry peer groups and involved in the formation of TCSP Technology Channel Sales Professionals, a nonprofit trade association for selling agents. .When he's not leading the charge in the telecom industry, Bill enjoys the simple life, tending to his 'gentleman's farm' in South Carolina.
The Wireless Way Ep. with Bill Power: A Career of Uniting and Innovating in Telecom
In this episode of 'The Wireless Way,' host Chris Whitaker welcomes industry veteran Bill Power. Bill shares his journey from Capitol Hill lobbyist to co-founding the Association Resource Group and becoming a pivotal figure in the telecom industry. Known for his hard-learned wisdom and passion for fostering community and cooperation, Bill discusses the formation of the agent alliance and his role as CEO since 2007. He delves into the complexities of the evolving channel landscape, the impact of mergers and acquisitions, and the importance of being adaptable. Bill also introduces the Technology Channel Sales Professionals (TCSP), a watchdog organization he helped establish to protect agents' interests. With down-to-earth charm, Bill emphasizes the value of relationships, customer focus, and maintaining a strong ethical foundation. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone in the telecom or technology sectors looking to understand the industry's past, present, and future.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:18 Bill Power's Early Career and Transition to Telecom
00:59 Formation and Evolution of the Alliance Partners
01:27 Bill's Personal Life and Farm
02:43 Bill's Background and Career Journey
05:06 Challenges and Successes in the Telecom Industry
07:15 The Role and Impact of the Alliance Partners
08:57 Changes in the Telecom Channel and Future Predictions
14:19 Advice for Suppliers in the Channel
19:17 Formation of TCSP and Advocacy Efforts
23:55 The Battle with the FCC
25:26 TCSP: A Watchdog for Agents
25:57 Member Benefit Programs
26:09 Health Insurance and HR Compliance
28:13 Hiring and Training Salespeople
30:05 Peer Groups and Summary
31:30 Affordable Membership Dues
32:54 Emerging Technologies in the Channel
37:41 The Importance of Connectivity
44:19 Final Thoughts and Advice
Learn More about Bill:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-power-a1177410/
Learn more about The Partner Alliance:
http://thealliancepartners.com/
Learn about TCSP
https://www.tcsp.org/