Stop Putting The Wrong People In Channel Roles

In the competitive landscape of the IT industry, the effectiveness of a company’s channel strategy can be the difference between success or failure. Channel managers play a crucial role in driving revenue, expanding market reach, and fostering strong relationships with partners. Which is why it is so surprising to me that so many companies hire … Continued

6 Lessons from the Trump-Harris Debate for PAMs

In 2017 I wrote an article about 10 Lessons that Channel Managers could learn from Trump. Watching the Trump-Harris debate a few nights ago prompted me to think about that article, and see what we could learn from this debate. Firstly, I should say that while I’m not a Trump supporter, and believe that Harris … Continued

6 Lessons from Samsung to Lose Customers

In the XaaS and managed services world, we don’t make money from winning customers… we make money from keeping customers. So when I see a company doing everything it can to alienate its loyal customers, I look at what lessons can be learned so that MSPs, vendors and distis don’t fall into the same trap. … Continued

Have We Forgotten How To Present In Person?

As we go back to in-person meetings and events, it’s becoming apparent that one of the casualties of working from home has been face-to-face presentation skills. For the last few years, our presentations have consisted almost entirely of looking at someone’s face over Zoom or Teams. But as we start to present in person, we can no longer … Continued

Navigating Through Crisis: A Modern Approach for MSPs

Picture this: your key client’s company is thrust into a crisis, their systems are down, and the media is swarming like bees to honey. As a Managed Services Provider (MSP), ensuring business continuity in tumultuous times is not just a goal; it’s a commitment. Whether you’re addressing a local hiccup or an international debacle, the … Continued

8 Tips to Unlocking Success with a Partner Advisory Council

We are often asked by vendors about the value of a Partner Advisory Council (PAC). In this dynamic landscape of modern business, where collaboration is often touted as the key to success, we believe a well-run PAC can be a game-changer in shaping the partner relationship. In this article, we will explore the concept of … Continued

Recruit Partners Like You Recruit People

Would you recruit a sales rep for your business just because they were enthusiastic, and knew someone they could sell your product to?  Without an interview? Without references? Without discussing salary or sales targets? It sounds a bit crazy doesn’t it! But that’s exactly what vendors do all the time with their channel partner recruitment. … Continued

Why Partner Management Needs To Change

In the conventional partner-vendor engagement model, partnerships are measured and graded primarily based on revenue generated and certification level attained. This results in a tiered hierarchy, such as Gold, Silver, and Bronze. However, emerging technologies like Cloud and XaaS have shifted the dynamics of the partner-customer-vendor relationship. The largest partners may not always be the … Continued

Subscription Selling Is More Than A Monthly Bill

The move by many businesses across many different industries to engage with their customers on a subscription or recurring revenue basis, rather than perpetual, has had a profound effect on the overall customer sales engagement model, not just the billing model of monthly subscriptions. In this article we look at the differences between the traditional … Continued

5 Tips to Change Your Partner’s Perception

One of the interesting dynamics of our industry is how quickly new technologies (whether they are developed internally or through acquisition) can alter a company’s direction. For example, it can happen when a vendor transitions from perpetual to XaaS, or when a software vendor acquires a hardware company (or vice versa), or when a new … Continued