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Nov 28, 2011 -- Telstra has reaffirmed its commitment to the Clarence Valley with the official opening of a new Telstra Business Centre, backed up by a new business support team helping similar ventures across NSW.

The Clarence Telstra Business Centre - which opened today in Prince Street - is part of a broader national push by Telstra to improve and upgrade its local face-to-face service and advice for small business.

The new business support team of 17, made up mostly of former Grafton Telstra call centre staff, will provide help over the phone to Telstra's growing network of local Business Centres in NSW and south east Queensland.

Telstra Business Group Managing Director Will Irving said Telstra's new service strategy was working, with more businesses now joining or coming back to Telstra. He made a special presentation to Telstra Business division's one millionth customer, Taryn O'Dea of Grafton's Puma Sports Store.

"I am delighted to welcome Taryn to Telstra Business as our one millionth customer and wish her well on what I hope will be a long and successful business career in partnership with Telstra, he said

Mr Irving said the success of Telstra's new strategy was partly based on the fact that Telstra Business Centres were small businesses in their own right, owned by locals who knew how to meet local needs. In Grafton, existing Telstra store licensees Kristen Challen and Adam Smith have set up the new Business Centre.

Telstra has more than 80 Business Centres fully operational and Grafton is part of an expansion that will have 100 in place by the end of the financial year. "Having the Business Centres backed up by the team in Grafton, who together have more than 400 years of experience, is already playing a crucial part in their growth and success, Mr Irving

Having good networks isn't enough - our service has to match. Small businesses are time-pressured and usually don't have their own specialist teams to deal with their needs, Mr Irving said.

"That's why we are removing complexity and making it easier for customers to contact us how, when and where they want, backed up by an experienced support team.

Grafton Telstra Business Centre's Kristen Challen said every small business has unique challenges and requirements.

"Our staff will assist local companies identify solutions, work more efficiently and help manage costs, she said.

Posted by Veronica Silva Cusi, news correspondent
Source: http://www.4-traders.com

About Telstra:
Telstra Incorporated is a global provider of advanced communications services to multinational corporations.