PHONE, PHONE ON THE RANGE

Ever wondered what it would be like to be THE ‘GO TO' PERSON ON THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY AND GaDGETS? From running training sessions and events, to offering technical advice over the phone, the rangers make sure Gen-i applications and Telecom devices are tailored to the specific needs of clients. Michael Chang tells actv8 all about the job:

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF MICHAEL CHANG - PHONE RANGER

6.00am - My new Sony Ericsson W705 woke me with a tune called ‘Tear you down' by the Brooks Brothers. It's a cheeky little drum ‘n bass number so I use the W705's awesome Track ID function to record a sample and then search a database to find out what it is. At the gym I enjoy a mix of new stuff I've found and downloaded. With 4GB memory - my iPod has lost its job. 

8.00am - Office, shower and ready for the day ahead, starting about 8.30am.

I kick off by checking what's ahead. Anyone with a training need contacts Ranger Dispatch who allocates and plans our time. I check my schedule and call ahead to make sure my external clients are still good to go. As Phone Rangers we need to be up to speed on all the new devices so we get to play with all the toys first. 

10.00am - The Mobility Café in Gen-i Tower opens for a special session. It's booked to host clients, showcase our new devices and explain all the potential with Telecom's XT Network. Mobility Café is a funky space with Telecom's XT Network ads playing on plasma screens, cool interior design, touch screen technology and of course the Telecom's XT Network phones. I talk to clients to understand how they use their current phones and explain the difference new devices will make to their businesses. Our clients love it. There's great coffee too.

12.00pm - I get a message from Chris, our CEO, on my BlackBerry. Through functionality that works like instant messaging, we talk in real time. He asks about his new BlackBerry Bold so I whiz round and talk in person. Being there is everything!

1.00pm -Over lunch I host a training session for six Gen-i people on the Nokia 3120. They learn quickly and discover the flexibility of ‘life in the SIM' with full roaming capability. Being able to keep their existing numbers brings smiles to their faces.

In the afternoon I head off to Westpac for more BlackBerry training. These are Westpac people who are learning what our new XT Network can do for them. All training ends with inputting feedback into Customer Central (Gen-i's client database) so the client's experience is properly documented for all to see.

The day ends with Ranger Dispatch letting us know what's ahead for tomorrow - for a Phone Ranger every day is different and there's never a dull one!