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Total Communicator Solutions, Inc. is a technology company created to build solutions based on “contextually Intelligent communication platform”. This platform for platforms is protected by a family of patents further defining event action programming, edge computing, augmented intelligence, AR/VR, smart city and IoT sensors with advanced data storage on a blockchain as part of a common solution. This platform is Spark Compass. The company has partnered with channel partners, joint venture partners, system integrators, as well as marketing and holding companies as distributors and now expanding with dedicated sales teams and support staff to deploy the platform across the globe in multiple vertical markets and
Total Communicator Solutions’ platform includes end user UI interfaces - aka - Mobile Apps that act as interfaces between the platform and the real world data it captures. It is based on an event-action architecture, meaning the company creates real-time actions on real-world data – creating real-time, real-world outcomes. The company’s platform and app provide useful "granular" data so customers actually have the ability to use "granular" level data at the moment.
Nothing is more granular than affecting specific behaviors in real-time.
It is important to start having a conversation regarding data. The company believes data is great and good, but what is so powerful with Total Communicator Solutions’ system is the action it can take on the captured data. It makes use of data as it is collected, and creates the outcomes in the here and now, not 30 days from now after the data has been analyzed. This provides real and measurable results for the users of the system. Further, these users can retain a report as usual, but now knowing their point solutions give them better insight for the future interactions.
This is why framing the conversation around data and about the company’s solution modules, all the feature sets within those solution modules and how they can define specific behavioral components to gain a successful "performance" for a campaign at the moment, is really powerful. These are called “applied intelligence modules.
Total Communicator Solutions can also add customer’s data to augment the knowledge of the operators of the system to deliver even more relevant information and curated content - this becomes another feature set to drive real-time behavior, i.e. their demographic data.
A True Leader with Event-Filled History
Erik Bjontegard is the Founder and President of Total Communicator Solutions. Having been sponsored by the Norwegian government to study in Mechanical Engineering in England, and after a brief stint with underwater robotics in the North Seas, Erik set his eyes to SPACE and left for California to work on the Space Shuttle. Erik jokes, “After that, working as a Rocket Science, it was natural – to me – to expand my horizon into another space - fashion and make-up…. then later I explored the helms of retail and real estate development.” This combined background from NASA to QVC to Westfield led him to pitch a solution to Qualcomm executives, who purchased it and hired him as an executive in corporate R&D. There he was part of the teams inventing new technologies such as 5G, AR and proximity beacons. Leaving on good terms in 2012 to launch a company that could build solutions based on technologies, Erik still maintains a great relationship with Qualcomm – and many other technology giants.
He is the dreamer, the innovator, and the crazy guy who always asks “then what”, “what’s in it for the end user” and “we will do it, who cares if anyone else has done it.”
Valuing Business Relationships
Erik believes in patience, having a great attitude, desire to “never have a dull moment” – and the desire to make this world a better place has helped him immensely. Erik says, “Blessed with fantastic parents, their love and encouragements, a supportive and understanding woman and family, and a team that has an ability to build my crazy inventions – and an excellent network of people that believes in my team and I…Letting people try, fail and try again. Never letting the fear of failure stop me….” has motivated him considerably.
Erik believes in encouraging and rewarding team members, and being honest, even when having to say what’s real, not what they want to hear….”
Attributes of an Innovative Leadership
Commenting on vital attributes that every innovative leader should possess, Erik says, “Never give up. Have a positive attitude. If you fall, get up. Don’t blame others. Wake up with a smile. Smile when talking on the phone. Give others more credit than yourself. Listen, really listen. Repeat what you heard to make sure you heard it right. And, just do it!”
Innovating Differently from Others
To build innovative products and solutions that appeal to the target audience, Erik said, “ASK. What is in it for me – assuming you are them. Think about everything from the opposite view. From above. Ask if you are watching a movie. What can be done differently, better?”
Impelling Ideas to Stand Out in the Crowd
On disruptive technologies that impact today’s innovation, Erik says, “We are investing in these! Making distribution of knowledge is the biggest, from faxes, to mobile phones to email to slack. We believe it is all in the data. Not just capturing data – making action on the data. Real time! Creating solutions that help humans, not replace them – i.e. Augmented Intelligence instead of Artificial Intelligence. This is the future. Communicating ideas is now easier than ever. So, create, innovate, build it, share – get it done!”
Challenging Evolution Over Time
For Erik the biggest challenge he faced during the initial phase of his journey, has been capital. Finding the right and patient investors then dealing with the pain of continuing fundraising.
Unfolding the Future Mission
According to Erik, Total Communicator Solutions will continue to evolve, innovate and build the Spark Compass Platform for Platforms. “We will never stop moving, improving, inventing, expanding. Our product should ever be “finished” – we will continue to improve and share all updates – even after it is sold – this is the power of licensing a platform rather than selling a product” he asserts.
He believes in keep asking the questions, delivering answers, and trying, failing, fixing and get it done.
Word of Advice to Budding Leaders
Erik advices budding entrepreneurs to have no fear. Smile often. Do the right thing, and enjoy the ride – you have one life – make it a blockbuster movie with you as the hero.