Truth in Telecoms, Robert Vis Part 1

Summary

In this episode of 'Truth in Telecoms,' the host engages in a candid conversation with Johnny, the 'viz,' discussing his unique views on various topics and his journey in the telecom industry. They delve into the evolution of Bird, reflecting on the company's strategic shift from SMS to CRM, prompted by market changes and the need for innovation. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced by companies like Twilio and CSE, the impact of fraud and corruption in the industry, and the importance of adapting to technological advancements. The conversation is filled with humor and insights, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the telecom world.

Takeaways

• 😀 The host expresses admiration for 'the viz', appreciating his unique views on various topics and his rarity in the industry.
• 💬 The conversation touches on the importance of having a strong online presence and the influence of social media, as 'the viz' is followed for his opinions on platforms like X.
• 🎤 There's a humorous exchange about nicknames, with 'the viz' being a local nickname that reflects the culture of giving nicknames in certain regions.
• 📈 The discussion highlights the significant market capitalization loss in the telecom industry, with companies like Twilio, Cinch, Bandwidth, and Ring experiencing declines.
• 🚀 The guest, Robert, is praised for his company's successful transition from SMS to CRM, escaping the downfall of the SMS market at the right time.
• 🤝 There's a mention of past business dealings and the strategic importance of humor and relationships in the industry, as well as the impact of one individual, Allan, on significant industry events.
• 📱 The conversation delves into the evolution of the telecom industry, with a focus on the shift from APIs to CRMs and the need for an abstraction layer for brands.
• 💰 The script criticizes certain industry practices, such as prepayments to carriers and the funding of corruption in the gateway business, which is seen as detrimental to the industry's health.
• 🌐 Robert discusses the global ambitions of his company and the necessity to move beyond SMS to remain competitive and innovative in the changing landscape of telecommunications.
• 📉 The script reflects on the decline of the SMS market and how it was affected by factors like fraud, the desire for cheaper prices by brands, and the carriers' strategies, leading to a loss of interest from investors.

Q & A

What does the speaker admire about 'the viz'?

The speaker admires 'the viz' for his unique views on various topics such as climate, free speech, Europe, and more. He also appreciates that 'the viz' is not afraid to voice his opinions, even if they put him in the minority.

Why did Allan get a haircut?

Allan got a haircut because 'the viz' showed up, as mentioned by the speaker, implying that 'the viz' has an influence or a level of respect that prompted Allan to make a change in his appearance.

What is the significance of the name 'the viz'?

The name 'the viz' is a nickname that originates from the speaker's local culture where everyone has a nickname. It is not something that was created but is a common practice in the area he is from, reflecting old European traditions.

Why does the speaker believe that CRM is becoming more important in the telecom industry?

The speaker believes that CRM is becoming more important because APIs are becoming less important as businesses prefer to focus on their core business rather than managing multiple APIs. CRM provides an abstraction layer that simplifies the complexity for brands.

What does the speaker think about the state of the SMS industry?

The speaker thinks the SMS industry has seen better days. He mentions that it has become less fun due to increased fraud, carriers raising prices, and brands wanting lower prices, leading to a less profitable and more corrupt industry.

Why did the speaker decide to transition his business away from SMS?

The speaker decided to transition his business away from SMS because of the industry's shift towards multiple channels and the need for an abstraction layer like CRM. He also saw the writing on the wall with the decline in SMS's importance and the corruption within the industry.

What does the speaker think about the role of fraud in the telecom industry?

The speaker believes that fraud has been detrimental to the telecom industry, as it has led to an unsustainable business model where carriers raise prices, while brands demand lower costs, creating a corrupt ecosystem.

Why does the speaker consider the industry's move towards CRM a positive development?

The speaker sees the move towards CRM as positive because it allows for a more customer-centric approach, providing brands with a single point of contact for multiple communication channels, which simplifies their operations and aligns with their core business focus.

What is the speaker's opinion on the role of customer behavior in shaping the telecom industry?

The speaker believes that customer behavior has been a significant factor in shaping the telecom industry, as they are demanding more sophisticated solutions that go beyond traditional SMS, pushing the industry towards more integrated and multi-channel communication platforms.

Why does the speaker mention the importance of abstraction layers in the telecom industry?

The speaker mentions the importance of abstraction layers because they allow businesses to focus on their core operations without getting bogged down in the technical complexities of managing multiple communication channels and APIs.