October 10th, 2014 Newsletter
Intec Communications, LLC
Chris's Corner
Instead of a whimsy motivational paragraph, or a suggestion about what books you should read to motivate yourself, this month’s Chris’ corner is an “Eat Your Vegetables” type of article. This is about benefits.
Our health benefits supplier, Aetna, has provided content to our newsletter this month below, please take the time to read it. Here you will find links to available sites to help you utilize the benefits that you and Intec pay for. Many of these services are included in your coverage at no additional charge, so why not use them? When we are young we all think we are indestructible, and the truth is that we are not. It is time for all of us to start taking our health seriously, if not for ourselves, for the sake of our families. I encourage you to take advantage of these health resources, they will assist you and your family as your strive towards a healthy lifestyle and help you achieve peace of mind knowing that you and your family are covered.
As many veterans of the cable industry are aware, a partner company such as Intec Communications, LLC, offering health benefits is virtually unheard-of. The senior leadership, the owners, and I all felt like we had to provide these benefits because we have the best technicians in the business and they deserve more. This was not an easy pill to swallow, but together we worked through the financial challenges, and Intec has come out of it a much stronger company. Company employee retention is at its highest level since its inception, employee morale is at its highest since 2010 (I visit every market and have seen this with my own eyes). Intec can now honestly say to all prospective employees “Working at Intec is not just a job, it is a career” but, it is ultimately the responsibility of each individual employee to seize the opportunities available to them and make it happen.
In addition, if you don’t already, please consider contributing to the 401K program we offer. We have open enrollment, so you can start contributing at any time. My dad would constantly tell me growing up “it's not what you make, it's what you have.” Investments to the 401K will always be something you have. These investments can rise and fall in value, but most importantly it will be there when you retire. All of you, especially those in the field, have an incredibly tough job, mentally and physically. By contributing as much or little (whatever you can afford), you will guarantee yourself some savings when you have completed your career and are ready to retire. The contributions to 401K can be either be pre-tax or post tax, and there are many investment options to take advantage of. Remember, the money contributed to 401K is yours, not Intec’s. Intec does not benefit in any way by you contributing to your retirement.
Have a benefits question? Send an email to health@inteccommunications.net or 401K@inteccommunications.net.
Thank you for taking the time to look at our monthly newsletter, and please encourage others to do the same. Everyone have a great October, prepare for winter (everyone remembers last year, brrr), and stay safe.
Chris Matatall
Chief Operations Officer
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Take Advantage of your Health Benefits!
I hope you are as pleased as I am on how our first open enrollment for Medical/Rx insurance went this year!
For those of you who enrolled, make sure you are taking advantage of the Aetna member resources available to you, including:
- Preventive Care covered with no cost sharing; get checkups, screenings, vaccines, prenatal care, contraceptives and more with no out-of-pocket costs
- Teladoc: 24/7 access to board-certificate physicians; Teladoc physicians can diagnose, treat, and write prescriptions when necessary for routine medical conditions (consults are $40 or less)
- Aetna Mobile App available for free on iPhone and Android mobile devices
- Aetna Navigator: member website to find doctors, check claims status, track your deductible and out of pocket maximums, and much more
- Aetna Price Estimator: check costs for outpatient procedures first to get the most out of your health plan
- Aetna Discount Programs: save on gym memberships, eyeglasses and contacts, weight‐loss programs, and chiropractor visits
- Simple Steps to a Healthier Life Program: online programs to help you reach your health goals
For all of your Aetna questions, contact the Aetna Member Services phone number on your Aetna ID card or call 1-800-US-AETNA - Hours of operation: 7am – 7pm ET Monday-Friday
For questions about Pharmacy or Aetna Rx Home Delivery, call 1-888-RX-AETNA - Hours of Operation 7am – 11pm ET Monday – Friday, 7am – 9:30pm ET on Saturday, and 8aam – 6pm ET on Sunday
For those of you who are not enrolled or are looking to make a change, next Open Enrollment will be held in March or April for a May 1, 2015 effective date. Keep an eye out for more details to come!
As a friendly reminder, The Affordable Care Act (aka Health Care Reform) has introduced an individual mandate requiring most Americans to have minimum essential health insurance or pay a penalty. The penalty for not having health insurance in 2014 is the greater of $95 per uninsured person or 1% of your household income over the filing threshold and will increase significantly in 2015 and 2016.
Wishing you and your family a healthy and prosperous year!
Megan Williams, CEBS | Account Specialist II
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NATIONAL PROFIT WEEK - OCTOBER 18TH - 24TH!
Any orders received during National Profit week will not be processed until October 27th
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Intec Communications, LLC - Employee Spotlight
In the spotlight this month is a technician working in the Chicago Market:
Kelvin Cruz
A Comcast Quality Control Manager wrote:
One of our customers said that the tech who came out to raise his drop after the storm in their area, did a beautiful job. He wanted to say that it looks better now than it did before the storm .
Kelvin, Comcast appreciates you going above and beyond on this job. Keep up the excellent work!
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What to do if you are in an Automobile Accident
At Intec many of our employees operate auto-mobiles to accomplish their daily tasks. Although we strive to be an accident free company the reality is that accidents are going to happen, and we want our employees to know the appropriate steps to be taken once an accident does occur.
As most of us know it is difficult to think clearly after a car accident. That is why it is important to know before you get into an accident what to do first and what questions may need answered. Hopefully reviewing this checklist will help you know what to do after a car accident.
1) Stay calm
Do not get out of your vehicle angry, take a moment to collect yourself if necessary. This is easier said than done, but getting angry or panicking will only make the situation worse. There needs to be a calm person to determine the extent of damage and to determine if there are any injuries that need immediate medical attention.
2) Make sure everyone is OK
Before concerning yourself with vehicle damage and exchanging insurance information, make sure that all parties involved in the accident are OK. If not, call 911 immediately. Assist injured persons, but do not move unless absolutely necessary.
3) Save the apologies for another time
Yes, politeness is an admirable trait, but in this situation, a simple "I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention," can be seen as an admission of liability. Discuss the Car Accident Only with the Police.
4) Keep Safety First
Drivers involved in minor accidents with no serious injuries should move cars to the side of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leaving cars parked in the middle of the road or busy intersection can result in additional accidents and injuries. If a car cannot be moved, drivers and passengers should remain in the cars with seatbelts fastened for everyone's safety until help arrives. Make sure to turn on hazard lights and set out cones, flares or warning triangles if possible.
5) Call the Police - 911
Even in a minor accident it is important to make sure there is a legal accident report. Do not leave the scene until the police file a full Car Accident Report.
6) Notify Your Supervisor
This does not need to be a lengthy conversation, but it is important to notify your supervisor that you have been involved in an accident, so that appropriate processes can be started to continue business.
7) Exchange Information
After the accident, exchange the following information: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle. If the driver's name is different from the name of the insured, establish what the relationship is and take down the name and address for each individual. Also make a written description of each car, including year, make, model and color — and the exact location of the collision and how it happened. Finally, be polite but don't tell the other drivers or the police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was.
8) Start talking
To witnesses, that is. Get all the relevant contact information of any bystanders that may have seen the accident.
9) Take Pictures
Of damage to all vehicles, and the scene of the accident. Having proof of the damage to the car will help with insurance, and serve as evidence if there is a dispute down the line.
10) Take Notes
Get as much information as possible. Similar to pictures, detailing the accident and the nature of your injuries as soon as possible can serve to expedite the process.
Take a deep breath - Everything is going to be OK!
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Intec Communications, LLC - September 2014 Market Wide Rankings
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Intec Communications, LLC - Employee Spotlight
Also in the spotlight this month are two technicians working in the Atlanta Market:
Raymond Taylor and Richard Phillips
Customer writes:
I just wanted to thank you for finally making my Xfinity install a success tonight.
The leadership that you both provided in pulling together a team for the install is much appreciated!
I would like to commend you both on your attention to communication which made this successful.
I would also like to make a special commendation on the two technicians who provided an excellent and Seamless install. While there were some small glitches in the install by not having all of the necessary equipment or workplan the install was a success.
Both Raymond Taylor and Richard Phillips provided great service working extended hours with a smile. It was the expertise of Raymond Taylor that allowed for the takeover of the security system to happen. He took special effort to make sure that the wiring and adaptation of the system was successful.
I only wish that my initial experience with the Comcast service team was as dedicated and as resourceful as your current team Who came to the rescue!
Again I would like to thank you for making this happen despite the obstacles that I faced earlier.
Sincerely,
Very Satisfied Customer
Intec and Comcast alike want to voice our appreciation for your commitment to quality work, and excellent customer service. Thank you both for being an 'Owners.'
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October 2014 Employee Anniversaries
Please join us in celebrating the following employees with August and September anniversaries:
Roberto Romero - 1 Year with The Houston Security Team
Robert Schwartz -1 Year with The Houston Team
Thomas Miller - 1 Year with The Big South Team
Terrell Buckhanon - 1 Year with The Atlanta Team
Alejandro Gonzalez - 2 Years with The Houston Team
Robert Parsons - 2 Years with The Houston Team
Janelle Thuet - 2 Years with The Houston Team
Luis Munoz - 2 Years with The Houston Team
Kim King - 2 Years with The Corporate / Chicago Team
Michael McGinnis - 2 Years with The Houston Team
Kenneth Todd Duncan - 2 Years with The Houston Team
Zachery Nero - 2 Years with The Houston Team
Michael Perrett - 2 Years with The Houston Team
Amanda Noel - 2 Years with The Houston Team
Victor Gonzalez - 2 Years with The Houston Team
Floyd Winters - 3 Years with The Houston Team
Christopher Matatall - 4 Years with The Corporate Team
DeAnna Matatall - 4 Years with The Corporate Team
Huston Greer - 4 Years with The Corporate Team
Robert Longo - 4 Years with The Big South Team
Nelson Alvarez - 4 Years with The Houston Security Team
Thank you for your countless hours of hard work and loyalty to Intec!
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Intec’s Got your Back!
If your back aches from time to time, you have plenty of company – nearly 80 percent of us will experience back pain at some point in our lives. Certain job categories place us at even greater risk -- for example, jobs that involve a lot of lifting and carrying and - surprise! - seated desk jobs too.
No matter what your occupation, you can help yourself beat the backache odds by learning how to protect your back on and off the job. The following tips will help you:
Keep your weight down -- nobody wants to hear this, but it's one of the most important things you can do to help your back. Extra pounds put your back under constant greater everyday pressure and significantly increase your chance of an injury. It is especially stressful to your back if your excess weight is in the form of a "pot" belly, but even 15-20 evenly-distributed extra pounds force your back to work harder every day.
Stay (or get) in shape. Strong muscles are like the guide wires that support a new sapling -- they provide lots of help, and if they're not present, the chances for problems rise dramatically. Strong abdominal muscles are especially important to back health, but don't forget strengthening and stretching exercises for your other support muscles: the legs, buttocks, and back itself
ALWAYS use good lifting technique. Statistically, the Number One cause of back injury is lifting; therefore, you should always pay attention to the following "Lifting Rules":
- Consciously tighten your abdominals every time you lift to help brace your back. This is the NUMBER 1 TIP -- get into the habit of doing this EVERY TIME you lift.
- Avoid heavy loads: Don’t try to be a Macho Man/Woman split large loads into smaller, more manageable ones, or get someone to help you.
- Size up or test your load to see if you can handle it; don't rush in and assume you can lift it -- you may be in for a painful surprise.
- Bend your knees and stick out your rear -- even a little. Bending the knees takes pressure off your back and lets your stronger leg muscles do the work. Sticking out your rear -- in actuality, extending your hips – relieves lifting pressure on the lumbar discs, plus helps you remember to bend your knees.
- Keep your head higher than your shoulders; this will usually prevent you from leading up with your back (and will encourage you to lift with your legs, which usually are among your strongest muscles).
- NEVER twist! Instead, turn to face the new direction, again using your legs.PUSH instead of pull, every time you can -- you have twice as much power when you push AND it puts less strain on your back. No matter what, try to keep your elbows as close to your body as possible and your head UP.
When sitting: learn to consider your back when you make a move. Observe the following "seat techniques"
Avoid twisting your torso -- move your whole body (shoulders, hips, and feet all facing in the same direction).
Sit in your chair so that your lower back (lumbar area) gets support. If your chair doesn't provide proper lumbar support for you, add a lumbar wedge, cushion, or even a rolled-up towel.
Try not to hunch over your desk to read or write; instead, bring your work up to you by using a slantboard.
Get a telephone headset or neck rest to help save your back and neck, especially if you have the habit of cradling the telephone between your neck and shoulder. If your job requires a majority of time on the phone, a headset should be considered mandatory.
Make sure your knees are level with, or slightly higher than your hips, and your feet are supported. If possible, keep both feet firmly on the floor. If your feet don't comfortably reach the floor, get a footrest (or even a telephone book) to provide necessary support.
Take stretch breaks -- and stand up -- regularly.
Men: keep your wallet out of your back pocket! Sitting on a bulky wallet can cause or aggravate back, hip, and leg pain.
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Check out Last Month Newsletter by following the link below
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Floyd Hammonds - September 2014 Employee of the Month
Intec Communications, LLC is proud to announce Floyd Hammonds as September 2014 Employee of the month.
"Normally Directors are not eligible for employee of the month. I am pulling rank and making an exception. Chicago is a tough market, they all are. We pulled Floyd out of Victoria, and dropped him into a hornet’s nest. 4 months into the adventure and we see light at the end of the tunnel. He and his team improved our KPI metric scores by more than 30%, month over month, which is unheard of in our business. Senior level management is harder on Floyd than any of the other Directors, and he consistently delivers. This not only improves our standing locally, but nationally because Chicago is a high profile market.
Thanks Floyd and the entire Chicago team, your hard work and improvement is noticed, and all of us here at Intec appreciate it."
- Chris Matatall, Chief Operations Officer
Floyd, on behalf of the entire Intec family we would like to thank you and congratulate you on receiving this award. Your proven hard work and dedication to Intec is invaluable, and you truly embody the characteristics of Intec Employee of the Month.
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Employee of the Month
What employee of the month looks like:
- This individual’s efforts have inspired and supported the performance and achievements of others.
- This employee is punctual and dependable.
- Demonstrates a positive attitude toward work responsibilities, co-workers, and customers, and services as a role model for others.
- Commitment to quality in carrying out job responsibilities, and is an asset to Intec Communications.
- A willingness to exercise leadership, take initiative, and accept and carry out additional responsibilities beyond the regular job assignments for the good of the company as a whole.
Please submit your nominations for Employee of the Month by completing the form below. The winner will be included in the next newsletter.
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Get Plugged In
Have a question on a policy? Suggestion on how to improve an aspect of our business?
Please email any questions, suggestions,or concerns to: info@inteccommunications.net