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Channel Voices is The Podcast for Future Channel Leaders, where we learn the ins and outs of partner ecosystems through casual conversations with channel professionals from a variety of industries, partner types and geographies.
57 Episodes
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We talk with Pablo Hanono about how partner programs move from metal tiers to value motions, and why modern partner ecosystems need clearer economics, better data, and stronger infrastructure. We also unpack how AI shifts partnership work away from manual execution and towards judgement, analysis, and trust-based relationships. • Building a global partnerships career from Buenos Aires • Turning Books of the Channel into a learning hub and course • Moving beyond silver and g...
We pull back the curtain on partner operations and show how clean data, clear processes, and the right tools turn channel strategy into outcomes. From onboarding to MDF and deal reg, we share practical steps to reduce friction and make results measurable. • Defining the role of partner operations in channel programmes • Why fragmentation across teams caps growth • What good looks like for onboarding, deal reg, and MDF • Treating partner data as a product with shared definitions • Designing p...
We explore how generative AI changes channel strategy when treated as an operating model shift rather than an IT upgrade. Justin Trombold shares practical ways to reduce risk, improve cross-functional execution, and turn partner sprawl into a coordinated advantage. • Defining first principles for partner ecosystems • Layering orchestration to manage data, quality and risk • Shifting mindset from tools to operating model change • Finding and fixing cross-functional bottlenecks • Focusing GenA...
We unpack how to make co-selling irresistible to sellers using specialised partners, scarcity-led door openers, and playbooks that slot into daily workflows. Alex Buckles shares tactics for ISVs, SIs, and platforms, plus smarter recruiting, incentives, and a sane way to use AI. • Why sellers ignore partner intros and how to fix it • Building co-sell playbooks from executive priorities • Crafting a door opener with clear monetary value • When exclusivity and specialisation create loyalty • Ke...
We unpack how to design partner tiers that reward real capability, align MDF with specialisations, and give partners a transparent ladder to grow. Clear criteria, meaningful benefits, and ongoing iteration turn tiers from labels into a strategy tool. • When tiers are useful and when to skip them • Examples of three to four level models across vendors • Shift from volume-only to balanced scorecards • Criteria that mix revenue, growth and capabilities • Benefits that ladder meaningfully at eac...
We show how linking MDF to partner tiers and specialisations turns a blunt perk into a strategic lever for capability and pipeline. Clear ladders, maturity-based activities, and simple operations make funds work harder and prove ROI across segments. • Shifting from volume-only MDF to capability and outcomes • Segmenting partners into strategic, growth and long tail • Mapping MDF tracks to competencies like cloud and security • Matching activities to partner maturity for higher impact • C...
We break down accrual, proposal-based, fixed, activity-based, and hybrid MDF models, then map each to vendor maturity, and growth goals. The result is a simple path from starter funds to a hybrid mix that drives utilisation, focus, and measurable ROI. • Core MDF models and what they suit • Pros and cons of accrual and proposal-based • When fixed allocations help activation • Activity-based menus that drive outcomes • How hybrids balance reward and growth • Aligning MDF to partner landscape •...
We cut through MDF confusion and show how to prove ROI with clear targets, clean attribution, and partner enablement. The conversation moves from spend reporting to outcome-based funding that ties every Dollar and Euro to pipeline and revenue. • Why MDF measurement is hard and why it matters • Shift from discretionary spend to outcome-based models • The four-step loop from spend to revenue proof • Concrete ROI example with pipeline and payback • Fixing data plumbing and platform integrations...
We break down the real difference between partner enablement and partner engagement, why the words get mixed, and how that confusion hurts growth. Then we map a practical system that unites capability with commitment using segmentation, incentives, trust, and better measurement. • Enablement as capability across technical, sales and marketing tracks • Engagement as motivation shaped by trust, incentives and joint planning • Segmentation-driven journeys for emerging and strategic partners • O...
We lay out why co‑sell has become non‑negotiable for vendors and partners and how to make it work with hyperscalers and marketplaces. Clear roles, aligned incentives, shared data, and trust turn scattered efforts into a repeatable revenue engine. • Buyer shift to cloud marketplaces and committed spend • Why resale margins thin and solution bundles grow • What co‑selling is versus lead trading • Hyperscaler programs, quota retirement and marketplace paths • Common fail...
This Channel Chewsday, I bite into a topic suggested by our listener, Maria. I explore how partner training evolves from long seminars to microlearning, AI personalisation, and simulation based practice. I share a high-level roadmap for channel leaders to build motivation, track impact, and turn partners into trusted advisors in 2026 and beyond. • Shifting from legacy sales tactics to continuous learning • Adding soft skills alongside technical depth • Adopting microlearning for recall...
This Channel Chewsday, we unpack how channel partners can replace shrinking resale margins with recurring revenue and usage-based incentives that reward real customer outcomes. We share models, incentives, systems, and culture shifts that turn adoption and retention into predictable growth. • Margin decline across product and software licensing • Shift to subscriptions, cloud, and API consumption • Mechanics of tiered and volume-based pricing • Services as a margin engine for partners • Outc...
We explore how AI can actually help partner programs today, where it still falls short, and what data foundations are needed to turn dashboards into decisions. Margaret Adam, Director Product & Partner Marketing at Channelscaler shares practical wins in co-sell matchmaking, MDF automation, and personalising enablement at scale while keeping trust central. • AI use cases that already work in channel • Data readiness and workflow standardisation • PRM as the real-time window for partners •...
We challenge the doom narrative that AI will replace channel managers and show how the role expands when automation takes the grunt work and humans focus on trust, coaching, and strategy. Practical examples walk through insights, personalisation, and predictive tools that make partnerships stronger. • What AI automates across reporting and campaigns • How insights flag risk and opportunity for partners • Why relationships, empathy and negotiation remain decisive • How leading vendors use hyp...
This episode of Channel Voices Podcast has been sponsored by Meter. We explore how networking is shifting from hardware refreshes to daily value, why trust must be proven with evidence, and how partners can bridge from Capex to resilient recurring revenue without losing top‑line margin. Adam shares tactics for trials, enablement, roadmap transparency, and rules that reduce channel conflict. • Defining partner value as daily outcomes, not one‑off sales • Three partner mindsets: detractors, sk...
This week on Channel Chewsday, we’re diving into how to turn raw partner data into sharp, personalised coaching that actually moves the needle. If you’ve ever felt your partner enablement relies more on instinct than insight, this one’s for you. We’ll walk through how to go from intuition to evidence—choosing the right KPIs, designing dashboards that drive action, and guiding your team through a 90‑day rollout that turns analytics into outcomes. Here’s what we’ll cover: Why data‑driven coachi...
This Chewsday, we chew on how to make channel ROI undeniable with aligned goals, clean data, and human stories that win over finance, boards, and partners. From MDF benchmarks to advisory boards, we share practical tools you can use this week. • Aligning channel activity to broader business goals • Building real-time dashboards for pipeline and velocity • Using case studies to turn skeptics into supporters • Creating partner advisory boards and feedback loops • Quick-win metrics like deal re...
We share a no-fluff playbook for channel leaders to turn chaos into momentum through honest communication, smart activation, and practical AI enablement. We cover partner fit, metrics that matter, and how to lead with both heart and rigour. • Clear, timely, transparent communication that builds trust • Segmenting partner needs and matching enablement • Streamlined onboarding, fast access, simple incentives • Activation as early wins and ongoing support • Practical AI guidance with training a...
Ashby Lincoln, with 35 years of IT industry experience, shares how honesty and technical expertise have been the foundation of his channel business for over two decades. • Building a successful channel business requires bringing value to both customers and OEMs • The Verinext approach focuses on truth-telling ("veri" = truth in Latin) and understanding customer needs before recommending solutions • Channel ecosystem will transform through AI from transactional to business outcome-driven expe...
How do you build a thriving channel ecosystem? When does a partner become truly valuable? And what's the real story behind AI in cybersecurity? Alex Glass brings his wealth of experience from Dell, Rapid7, Duo Security, Tessian, and now Expel to tackle these questions head-on in this conversation about partner strategy and cybersecurity trends. With a career spanning individual contributor roles to leading global channel organisations through IPOs and acquisitions, Alex offers a unique pers...
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