Channel Voices

AI won’t replace great partner managers, but it will reshape the work by automating the busywork and raising the bar on what partners expect. I focus on why judgement, trust, and context are still the real differentiators and how to use AI to spend more time on the parts of the job that drive revenue. • AI for partner management tasks like drafting emails, summarising notes, QBR prep and performan...

We unpack why channel economics are shifting and how that change is creating real friction between vendors and partners. We get practical about what actually drives partner behaviour, how partners protect profitability, and why simplifying programmes often beats adding more incentives.  • Channel economics changing fast as buyer expectations shift and AI tokens emerge as a transaction currency  •...

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...

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 onboardi...

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 t...

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...

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...

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 competen...

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 t...

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 •...

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, ince...

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  •...

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...

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...

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 c...

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 par...

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. • Def...

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 9...

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 s...

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 i...

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...

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 ro...

Ever wondered why some partner incentive programs drive remarkable growth while others barely move the needle? The answer lies not just in the rewards offered, but in the psychological principles that motivate human behavior. In this thought-provoking conversation with Samer Mihyar, Channel Marketing Leader at Kodak Alaris for EMEA and SEAC regions, we decode the psychology behind truly effective...

What happens when a partner crosses to the vendor side? Brian Hibner brings a refreshingly honest perspective on channel leadership from his journey as a former Deloitte partner who now leads Flexera's global alliance strategy. Brian's guiding principle—"customer first, partner second, Flexera third"—stems from his firsthand experience as a partner dealing with vendors who prio...

Tony De Freitas brings his wealth of channel expertise to Channel Voices, sharing powerful insights on creating exceptional partner experiences that drive real business growth. Having transformed five partner ecosystems throughout his career at Microsoft, Adobe, Salesforce, and now Mimecast, Tony offers a masterclass in treating partner programs as products deserving strategic investment and conti...