The second of our new monthly “Partner spotlight” features. Each month we will talk with one of our partner companies, to demonstrate how we can add value to our offering to you through companies we work closely with across various fields. Today its Carin Jackson from “UW Discount Club” based in the Rugby area. Carin has had a varied career including being an RICS surveyor, developing into a consultant and leader/trainer before joining the Utility Warehouse.
Tell us about the company? (Thanks to Wikipedia)
Utility Warehouse is a multi-service provider based in London, England that uses multi-level marketing to obtain customers through independent distributors.It is a brand name of its parent company, Telecom Plus. It currently handles over 886,000 customer accounts with the help of over 60,000 independent distributors.[4] Utility Warehouse supplies customers with landline telephony, mobile telephony, broadband, gas, and electricity. The Utility Warehouse brand is the primary engine of revenue generation for Telecom Plus.
What makes UW different from other utility suppliers?
The company supplies gas, electricity, broadband, mobile and landline telephony, home insurance and a cash-back card. Their telephony and energy services are often bundled to reduce costs for customers. Utility Warehouse employs a multi-level marketing model that utilizes independent distributors to obtain new customers. Distributors introduce both residential and business customers. Utility Warehouse has no shops and does not advertise on television or in the national press. The company uses word-of-mouth as a primary means of promotion, and offers bonuses to distributors who recruit new customers and distributors.
Who is your best current customer and why?
My best new customer is a family with 2 adults, both working who live in their own home in Rugby, with 3 teenagers all living at home. They found me through a referral from another UW partner who knows and trusts me, but isn’t active in the business at the moment. I was able to help them simplify their quite complicated relationships with multiple utility suppliers down to one supplier & one direct debit. For me they are ideal as they get all the benefits and are very happy to refer me.
Thinking of a Golden Goose, the type of business or person that deals with your target customer, who and what would they be?
The best people who can refer to me are those who are having conversations with households where it is natural for people to talk about utilities, the increase in the cost of living, worries about making ends meet and the need for more income. I know we aren’t supposed to say anyone, but in my case it is true of anyone who has a position of trust and can when someone mentions any of the above
What is your ideal catchment area to attract new customers?
Because I can do everything on-line with zoom & WhatsApp & shared weblinks, I can genuinely help anyone in the UK if they are happy with or prefer online. If people would like an at home/coffee shop visit then within 30 mins of Rugby is ideal, but I will and do go further if necessary.
Are there any signs that members can look or hear out for that would be an opportunity to introduce your business and services?
For household & bill payers; anyone expressing angst or worry about their outgoings or service from their current utility supplier. I am very happy to chat with current UW customers who would like help sorting out any issues or want a personal review to help them get the most out of their account. (See the question to ask them in the Golden Goose box above)
For anyone motivated to try and find a reliable, simple way to add extra income, where you can ‘try before you buy’ and the cost (really a 3 month deposit) is only £10 with all training and unlimited support included. They can work full or part-time, short or long-term to suit whatever they need.
How do you want members to introduce you in to warm leads?
I am very happy to have a chat with anyone on the phone and can set up an appointment with them depending on what they want to know and how they’d like to progress. If its easiest to send an shared email introduction I am very happy with that too – my formal UW email is carin.jackson@uw.partners