Larry Walsh in a "Just Ask" AI World In this episode of ChannelWaves , host Steven Kellam welcomes channel veteran Larry Walsh for an honest, forward-looking discussion on where the channel is heading and how leaders can keep up. They explore the tension between operational excellence and innovation, why many organizations struggle to scale partner programs, and how AI is reshaping the way vendors engage with their ecosystems.
In this episode of ChannelWaves, host Steven Kellam sits down with Kathryn Rose—founder of ChannelWise, co-founder of the Channel Marketing Association, international speaker, and bestselling author. The conversation dives into the current state of channel marketing, the role of associations in supporting marketing professionals, and what’s coming up at the Channel Marketing Association Summit. The two also unpack one of the biggest forces reshaping channel strategy today: artificial intelligenc...
What happens when AI hype meets the hard realities of channel marketing? In this episode of ChannelWaves , host Steven Kellam sits down with Raegan Wilson of Spur Reply and Matt Crane of Salesforce to unpack the biggest AI takeaways from the past 18 months. But this isn’t just about theory—they dive into what’s actually working in the field, where AI is falling short, and how forward-thinking leaders are turning lessons into leverage. If you're navigating the evolving intersection of AI and part...
In this episode of ChannelWaves , host Steven Kellam and guest Leslie Vitrano Hubright of Schneider Electric explore the shifting landscape of buyer demographics and what it means for channel strategies. Leslie discusses how the evolving expectations of younger, digital-native buyers are driving changes in partner engagement, content delivery, and channel innovation. They highlight the importance of adapting to these demographic shifts by leveraging digital tools, fostering agile ecosystems, and...
In this episode of ChannelWaves , host Steven Kellam interviews Larry Walsh, CEO of Channelnomics, for a deep dive into the evolving role of AI in channel marketing, the challenges of data attribution, and key industry trends. Walsh shares how AI, while often overhyped, holds potential to transform marketing automation, referencing StructuredWeb’s innovative solutions. He also discusses the difficulties in managing channel data and the importance of trust between vendors and partners. The episod...
In this episode of ChannelWaves , host Steven Kellam sits down with Leslie Chiorazzi, managing partner of CMIT Solutions in Manhattan, to dive into the crucial role trust plays in vendor-partner relationships. Together, they unpack how to build and maintain trust, what happens when it breaks, and strategies for rebuilding it. Leslie shares her extensive experience in managed services, offering valuable insights on the importance of clear communication, setting realistic expectations, and underst...
Discover the exciting potential of AI in the channel ecosystem in this episode of ChannelWaves! Join host Steven Kellam and Bryn Nettesheim, VP of Professional Services at Channelnomics, as they cut through the hype and explore practical applications and future opportunities of AI. Learn about the enormous market potential, with IDC forecasting the global AI market to soar from $40 billion this year to $150 billion by 2027. Hear how AI can enhance sales operations, marketing efforts, and partner...
In this episode of ChannelWaves, Steven Kellam hosts Heather Margolis, founder and CEO of Channel Maven, to discuss the importance of end-to-end partner marketing. Heather shares insights on navigating the buyer’s journey, overcoming common challenges, and leveraging tools like SEO, SEM, and AI. Tune in to learn how to effectively engage, educate, and enable partners for better marketing outcomes. Perfect for channel leaders looking to enhance their marketing strategies and stay competitive....
Navigating the Future: Strategic Resets in Channel Management In this episode of ChannelWaves, host Steven Kellam welcomes Rachel Tuller, a seasoned Channel Chief, for a deep dive into channel strategy refinement and innovation. Amidst a landscape of unforeseen challenges and rapid market evolution, they discuss the critical need for channel leaders to reassess and rejuvenate their strategies. Highlighting the importance of simplicity, strategic realignment, and AI integration, this conversation...
In this episode of the ChannelWaves Podcast Steven Kellam and Gina Batali-Brooks tackle the pivotal yet often overlooked impact of data on channel partnerships. They explore the challenge of harnessing actionable insights from disparate data sources and the transformative potential of AI in deal-making. The conversation also touches on the critical role of strategic data architecture, the evolving responsibilities of IT departments, and the debate between centralized and decentralized data strat...
In this engaging episode of ChannelWaves, host Steven Kellam sits down with Meaghan Moore, VP of Channel Partnerships at ServiceNow, for a candid conversation about what channel partners can expect in 2024. They delve into the significance of storytelling, automation, and the groundbreaking impact of generative AI on channel marketing. Meaghan shares insights on the collaboration between ServiceNow and how they are leveraging AI to revolutionize content creation, enabling partners to produce tar...
In this engaging podcast episode, listeners are treated to a candid and insightful discussion among industry experts Steven Kellam, Larry Walsh, and Heather Margolis as they dissect the anticipated challenges and opportunities for the first half of 2024. The trio delves deep into the evolving dynamics of buyer behavior, the pivotal role of nurturing partner relationships, and the strategic implementation of AI and incentives in the channel ecosystem. They also shed light on the importance of str...
Today's CPO (Chief Partner Officer) In this episode of ChannelWaves, Steven Kellam and Asher Mathew, the CEO of Partnership Leaders, explore the evolving landscape of partnerships within the channel. The discussion addresses the significance of the Chief Partner Officer (CPO) role and the necessity of unifying diverse partnership functions across companies. Asher emphasizes the need for cohesion in channel and alliance structures, pointing out the pivotal role of a CPO in navigating this complex...
Five Key Partner Program Challenges in 2023 In this insightful podcast episode, Diane and her guest delve into the challenges that modern partner programs face in an era of increasing demands and limited resources. They discuss three crucial areas of focus for partner programs in 2023: demand generation, partner contributions beyond transactions, and strategic cuts. The conversation explores the changing dynamics of partner ecosystems, the importance of data-driven decision-making, and the role ...
Embracing the Future with Tricia Atchison 🚀 The future of the channel is uncertain, and with digital transformation and AI on the rise, we find ourselves in uncharted territory. Tricia Atchison from Equinix joins us on this thought-provoking podcast episode to shed light on how to navigate these turbulent waters and make it all work together. 💼 As we move forward, we really don’t have a choice, it's essential to learn new technologies and stay motivated, both as leaders and team members. Trici...
If you haven't heard of Generative AI or its consumer-facing offspring ChatGPT, then you may be living under a rock - especially if you're in the channel. It's one of the most transformative technologies to emerge in the last two decades and will impact every industry, from healthcare to entertainment (if it hasn't already). For Channel Chiefs and channel marketers, it's no different. GenAI is already playing a major role in channel operations, partner engagement, and more. While AI isn't going ...
How to do more with less. While "do more with less" in the channel has become a mantra in the tech channel this year, often it is discussed at an ethereal level. So, what are some of the real-world strategies and tactics you can use today to simplify and get more done. Take a listen as Jessica Baker CPO (Chief Program Officer) at Achieve Unite joins ChannelWaves to talk about how you can make your programs more effective, even if you have less resources. And please take a listen to another recen...
Doing More with Less - A Partner's Perspective Everyone, well almost everyone, in the technology channel community has been hit with the less resources in 2023 challenge. So how do you make it all work? How to take care of partners, grow the business and keep everyone motivated? How to you leverage technology, human resources, and collective brainpower to grow you channel business in 2023. Please take a listen as Jamie Mendez, Vice President, Ecosystem Transformation & Programs at Pega Syste...
The Last Marketing Mile The point where marketing hands off to sales is a critical step in the channel journey. If it’s so important, why does that hand-off often get fumbled? Join us as Andrea Sitting- Rolf, Chief BlitzMaster and CEO of BlitzMasters dives into appointment setting and telemarketing to discuss the value of getting on the phone and how tying marketing and appointment setting together helps channel companies drive revenue.
Sales and Marketing - Together at Last: According the industry vet Tina Gravel - they need to be When sales and marketing are working together like a well-oiled machine, driving pipeline and revenue is so much easier. So, why do so many teams still struggle to close that gap and achieve the results they need? Please listen and as Tina Gravel, Vice President, Global Head of Sales at Quantexa, dig into this age old challenge and what Tina considers a great opportunity for everyone in the channel....
Channel Success 2023: Keeping Your Head and Your Heart in the Game Over the past three years, the tech industry has faced numerous challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues. However, the recent wave of layoffs and cutbacks has been particularly disruptive, leading to a reevaluation of priorities and a need to achieve more with fewer resources. As a result, many channel marketers are experiencing a great deal of stress and angst. While automation and efficiency can certainl...
The Evolution of Channel Partnerships There’s a new wave of channel partnership trends and best practices, and with this evolution comes great opportunity and, consequently, new challenges. So how do we manage these fairly new set of challenges and get the most out of today’s necessary, but often undermanaged, partnerships. Please listen as Chris Samila, Co-founder and Chief Partner Officer at Partnership Leaders dive into these issues and talk all things partnerships and the evolution of the ch...
Maximizing Channel Partner Videos Efforts: The top 10 distribution places to invest time and money Video is clearly one of the most compelling ways to get your message across to you buyers. In our last podcast (link) we discussed how to make channel partners effective in the video landscape, and why getting partners up to speed on video execution is crucial for everyone’s success. In Part II, Robert Cassard, author of Video Growth Hacking, and I discuss where to distribute video and why getting ...
The idea of video growth hacking - making video simple and easy to create and distribute - has been around for years, yet too many partners still have not adopted video as much as they wish or should. To hear the reasons why video continues to be a challenge for partners, as well as insights about how to jumpstart a robust video strategy, please listen in to our discussion with Robert Cassard, disruptive communications strategist, content creator, and author of Video Growth Hacking for Channel C...
2023 will be a challenge, but also a great opportunity for those who don’t panic, lean on best practices and key learnings from digital transformation experiences and innovate with new strategies and tactics to help partners connect with buyers. Please join in my conversation with Marc Monday from Sage as we discuss how to embrace the current market landscape, try different creative ideas to drive success, and build trust with your channel partners.
How can you differentiate yourself in a down economy? Where can you invest that will bring both short-term and long-term payoff? Partner experience is a great place to focus, but the key is to know what your objectives are, how to begin executing against those goals and how to leverage the power of hyper-personalization. How do you get there? Where can you start? Please listen in as Rachel Tuller, Head of Global Channel and Alliances at Cloudera, discusses how her organization is investing in th...
There's little to debate - partners need the right content at the right time and in the right place. The question is, however, what is the right content and what is the best way to get that content into the hands of partners and ultimately to the prospect and customers? Cameron Avery, founder and CEO of Elastic Digital, has dedicated his life to doing just that - creating great content for vendors to provide to partners. Please listen in as Cameron Avery and I discuss why the content game has ne...
2023 is rapidly approaching, with no shortage of challenges for channel leaders and marketers. What channel efforts should we focus on most, especially in a down economy with more uncertainty ahead? How do we do more with less? If you ask Theresa Caragol, CEO and Founder of Achieve Unite, it's all about “Marketing, Marketing, Marketing." That is a direct quote by the way. Please listen in as Theresa and I have a spirited discussion around her three keys for success for this coming year and well ...
Marketing is key to driving revenue in a down economy. So how do we get partners to embrace it and then make it successful for their organization? If you ask Meaghan Sullivan, Head of Global Ecosystems and Mid-Market at SAP, partners need to rethink the way they do marketing today. They have to transform beyond their ‘status quo’ strategies and tactics and build a better pipeline and earn more revenue. Please join Meaghan and I as we discuss how partners can and should move beyond Demand Generat...
We all know about Digital Transformation, and that partners must adapt to Digital Marketing or risk becoming obsolete. Bad for the partner and bad for the vendor. So how do we help partners get better at marketing why is this so important in today’s down economy? Why is this such a great opportunity for those that seize it, and what kind of revenue is really at stake. Please join in as I discuss these questions, and find some answers with Jay McBain, Chief Analyst - Channels, Partnerships & ...
