Stay Connected During Busy Season with Steve Tanner

What do businesses need most when things get busy?

For Steve Tanner, it always comes back to one thing—reliability. As a Relationship Manager at Execulink, Steve works with businesses across Ontario to make sure they stay connected during busy seasons and aren’t left scrambling when customer demand is at its peak.

With spring and summer bringing more foot traffic, patio season, and customer calls, Steve helps his clients plan ahead so they’re ready—not reacting. His goal is to make sure they stay connected during busy season, whether that means adding backup options or optimizing Wi-Fi coverage. In this Humans of Execulink feature, he shares the most common concerns he hears, small changes that make a big difference, and one story that shows how the right setup can save the day.

1. What’s one of the most common things you hear from businesses when spring and summer get busy?

A: When spring and summer ramp up, the most common concern I hear from businesses is reliability. My customers need absolute confidence that their internet and phone services will keep pace without skipping a beat. When opportunities arise, seamless connectivity isn’t just convenience, it’s critical for capturing every dollar of business.

2. What’s one simple thing businesses could check or adjust with their Internet or phone setup to avoid issues during busy times?

A: One straightforward step businesses can take to avoid connectivity headaches during peak periods is to ensure they have a redundant connection and a failover strategy in place. Outages are unpredictable, but having a backup ready can make the difference between minor inconvenience and major disruption—keeping your business running smoothly when it matters most.

3. How do you work with businesses to make sure their setup — like Wi-Fi, phones, or Internet — is ready for things like patio season, events, or handling more customer calls?

A: As a Relationship Manager, regular communication is key—I’m always checking in and planning ahead with my customers. By consistently discussing their upcoming needs, from Wi-Fi coverage on busy patios to handling increased call volumes during events, we ensure they’re always prepared well before peak season arrives.

4. If a business hasn’t reviewed their setup in a while, what are a couple of signs that it might be time for a check-in?

A: A sure sign it’s time to revisit your setup is when tasks that used to feel quick and effortless start slowing down—like file uploads taking noticeably longer or cloud software feeling sluggish. Another clear indicator is declining video or call quality during Teams or Zoom meetings. These issues can stem from aging infrastructure or simply because your business has grown beyond what your current solution can effectively support. Regular check-ins can catch these bottlenecks early, ensuring your team stays productive and connected.

5. What advice would you give to a business owner who feels like they’re too busy to deal with phone or Internet problems until something breaks?

A: I’d remind any busy business owner of the classic saying, ‘a stitch in time saves nine.’ Addressing a minor inconvenience today is always quicker, easier, and far less costly than recovering from a full-blown outage tomorrow. Proactive attention to your phone and internet systems prevents small issues from escalating into major disruptions when you’re busiest —and that’s exactly when you need to stay connected during busy season.

6. What’s one success story where a small change to a business’s Internet or phone setup made a big difference during their busy season?

A: One memorable success involved a customer who had recently added a VDSL failover to their primary internet connection. It turned out to be a timely decision—a particularly enthusiastic backhoe operator accidentally severed coax lines in the area just as their busy summer season kicked off. Thanks to their VDSL backup, the business smoothly continued operations without a hitch, keeping customers happy and revenue flowing uninterrupted while repairs took place. Sometimes, a simple backup strategy truly saves the day!

Want to learn more about how Execulink helps businesses stay connected during busy seasons? Explore our Business Internet and Voice Solution options.