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Centurylink Sales

To enable businesses to thrive in the 4th Industrial Revolution by becoming the world's most trusted partner for next-generation enterprise technology infrastructure

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Align the strategy

Centurylink Sales SWOT Analysis

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To enable businesses to thrive in the 4th Industrial Revolution by becoming the world's most trusted partner for next-generation enterprise technology infrastructure

Strengths

  • INFRASTRUCTURE: Extensive global fiber network spanning 450,000+ route miles
  • PLATFORM: Integrated Platform for digital services and edge computing
  • PORTFOLIO: Comprehensive suite of enterprise-grade network solutions
  • CUSTOMERS: Strong enterprise customer base including Fortune 500 firms
  • SECURITY: Advanced cybersecurity capabilities integrated with network

Weaknesses

  • LEGACY: Declining traditional telecom services hurting revenue
  • TRANSFORMATION: Slow pace of transitioning to growth products
  • DEBT: High debt levels limiting investment flexibility
  • COMPETITION: Limited competitive edge against cloud-native players
  • INTEGRATION: Challenges integrating acquisitions into cohesive offerings

Opportunities

  • EDGE: Rapidly growing market for edge computing solutions
  • ENTERPRISE: Increasing demand for managed network security services
  • DIGITAL: Accelerated digital transformation across all industries
  • 5G: Expansion of private 5G network infrastructure deployments
  • CLOUD: Growing hybrid cloud connectivity requirements

Threats

  • HYPERSCALERS: Competition from major cloud providers entering networking
  • CONSOLIDATION: Industry consolidation creating larger competitors
  • COMMODITIZATION: Price pressure on traditional connectivity services
  • DISRUPTION: Emerging technologies disrupting legacy business models
  • REGULATION: Changing regulatory environment affecting operations

Key Priorities

  • FOCUS: Accelerate enterprise revenue growth through edge computing
  • MODERNIZE: Transform legacy infrastructure to digital platform
  • EXPAND: Develop integrated security and network service offerings
  • INVEST: Deploy capital toward high-growth next-gen services
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Align the plan

Centurylink Sales OKR Plan

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To enable businesses to thrive in the 4th Industrial Revolution by becoming the world's most trusted partner for next-generation enterprise technology infrastructure

GROW ENTERPRISE

Accelerate enterprise revenue growth through innovation

  • EXPANSION: Increase enterprise segment revenue by 8% through new logo acquisition and cross-sell opportunities
  • EDGE: Deploy edge computing platform to 50 new enterprise clients, generating $15M in new annual revenue
  • RETENTION: Improve enterprise customer retention rate to 95% through enhanced account management program
  • SALES: Increase average deal size by 20% through solutions-based selling approach and enhanced training
TRANSFORM LEGACY

Modernize infrastructure and migrate to digital platforms

  • MIGRATE: Transition 200 enterprise customers from legacy to next-gen network services increasing ARPU by 15%
  • AUTOMATE: Implement AI-powered network management across 40% of core infrastructure reducing OpEx by 12%
  • RETIRE: Decommission 25% of legacy systems, reducing maintenance costs by $22M annually
  • PLATFORM: Launch unified digital experience platform with 90% of services available through self-service
SECURE FUTURE

Expand integrated security and network service portfolio

  • BUNDLE: Launch 3 new security-network integrated solution bundles with target of $30M in new bookings
  • PARTNERS: Establish 5 strategic security technology partnerships to enhance service capabilities
  • ENABLEMENT: Train 100% of enterprise sales team on security solution selling with 80% certification
  • MANAGED: Grow managed security services revenue by 25% through upsell to existing customer base
FUND INNOVATION

Reallocate capital toward high-growth next-gen services

  • INVESTMENT: Increase R&D spending on edge computing and AI by 35% while maintaining overall cost structure
  • ACQUISITION: Complete 2 strategic acquisitions in AI/security space to accelerate capability development
  • EFFICIENCY: Reduce legacy infrastructure support costs by 18% through automation and rationalization
  • TALENT: Hire 75 specialized professionals in AI, edge computing, and security with 90% retention rate
METRICS
  • Enterprise Revenue Growth: 8% YoY
  • Next-Gen Services Revenue Mix: 65%
  • EBITDA Margin: 39%
VALUES
  • Fairness
  • Integrity
  • Honesty
  • Commitment to Excellence
  • Positive Attitude
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Align the learnings

Centurylink Sales Retrospective

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To enable businesses to thrive in the 4th Industrial Revolution by becoming the world's most trusted partner for next-generation enterprise technology infrastructure

What Went Well

  • GROWTH: Enterprise segment showed improved quarter-over-quarter progress
  • EFFICIENCY: Cost reduction initiatives exceeded targets by 4% this quarter
  • RETENTION: Enterprise customer retention rate improved to 92% from 89%
  • SECURITY: Cybersecurity services revenue grew 18% year-over-year

Not So Well

  • REVENUE: Total revenue continued to decline at 4.1% year-over-year
  • WHOLESALE: Wholesale segment underperformed with 7.8% revenue decline
  • TRANSITION: Legacy-to-growth product transition slower than projected
  • CHURN: Small business customer segment experienced elevated churn rates

Learnings

  • FOCUS: Enterprise solutions with integrated security drive higher margins
  • PACKAGING: Bundled offerings outperform standalone product sales by 28%
  • ADOPTION: Edge computing adoption accelerating in manufacturing sector
  • DURATION: Sales cycles for enterprise deals 15% longer than forecasted

Action Items

  • ACCELERATE: Fast-track product development for edge computing solutions
  • SIMPLIFY: Streamline enterprise product portfolio around core offerings
  • MODERNIZE: Invest in sales enablement tools to improve productivity
  • EXPAND: Increase go-to-market investment in security services bundle
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Drive AI transformation

Centurylink Sales AI Strategy SWOT Analysis

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To enable businesses to thrive in the 4th Industrial Revolution by becoming the world's most trusted partner for next-generation enterprise technology infrastructure

Strengths

  • DATA: Extensive network data for AI/ML model training
  • AUTOMATION: AI-driven network management capabilities
  • ANALYTICS: Advanced analytics platform for customer insights
  • INFRASTRUCTURE: Edge computing platform suitable for AI workloads
  • EXPERIENCE: Established AI/ML practices in network operations

Weaknesses

  • TALENT: Limited AI specialized talent in key strategic areas
  • INTEGRATION: Siloed AI initiatives across business units
  • LEGACY: Technical debt limiting AI deployment capabilities
  • ADOPTION: Slow internal adoption of AI-powered tools
  • INVESTMENT: Insufficient R&D spending on transformative AI

Opportunities

  • OPERATIONS: AI-powered automation of network management
  • SECURITY: AI-enhanced threat detection and response
  • EXPERIENCE: AI-driven customer service personalization
  • PRODUCTS: AI-enabled predictive maintenance offerings
  • EFFICIENCY: Cost reduction through intelligent automation

Threats

  • COMPETITION: Pure-play AI companies targeting enterprise customers
  • INNOVATION: Faster AI adoption by more agile competitors
  • EXPECTATIONS: Rising customer expectations for AI-powered services
  • DISRUPTION: AI-driven business model disruption in telecom
  • TALENT: Intensifying competition for scarce AI talent

Key Priorities

  • TRANSFORM: Implement AI-driven network management platform
  • DEVELOP: Build AI-powered security services portfolio
  • ACQUIRE: Strategic acquisition of AI talent and technology
  • PARTNER: Form strategic alliances with leading AI companies