Exploring the Channel’s Future With Wine
The 2112 Group and 360Insights will host leading channel executives at an exclusive retreat to delve into the issues of the evolving industry and business models.
By Larry Walsh
The channel is full of anticipation. The industry is becoming more accustomed to the challenge laid down by Ingram Micro’s Kirk Robinson, who says: “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
Issues making channel chiefs uncomfortable are not in short supply. Technology is evolving rapidly and causing changes in the way businesses view, consume, and experience products and services. More companies are incorporating and involving technology in their products and services. Influencers are rising to drive customer opinions and behaviors. And customer expectations are climbing to levels previously conceived.
Channel chiefs know change is coming – and coming quickly. They want to plan for “what comes next.” Understanding what’s coming, anticipating when those changes will hit, and knowing what’s needed today to prepare for the evitable is what keeps channel chiefs awake at night.
Vendor clients frequently ask The 2112 Group what they need to do and when they should implement changes. Everyone wants to know how to get ahead of the channel evolution curve so they can have a competitive advantage. At the very least, they want to make sure they don’t miss out on the next opportunity.
While we can see the future coming, divining answers isn’t easy. The future is contextual for nearly all vendors. Nevertheless, they can learn from the thinking, strategy, and early work being done across the industry in preparation for the digitally transformed channel. Collaboration, information sharing, and thoughtful exploration among peers is often the first step on this journey.
The 2112 Group is partnering with 360insights, the global leader in channel incentives and insights, for the first Channel Chief Meet-up at Paraduxx Winery in Napa Valley. The event, to be held on July 18, 2019, will feature several of the industry’s leading channel executives and thinkers who will explore cutting-edge topics, such as:
- Defining channel evolution and successfully anticipating inflection points
- Achieving success with existing and emerging partners
- Mapping the partner’s journey to the new buyer’s journey
A special live, on-site Webinar will recount the workshop discussions and share the insights, conclusions, and next steps of the day. The event promises to start more discussions on how channel leaders should address the most vexing challenges related to digital transformation and channel evolution.
The 2112 Group prides itself on its history of open community collaboration. We’re proud to partner with 360insights on this worthy endeavor to bring top executives together to tackle current and emerging channel issues.
If you’re interested in attending the Channel Chief Meet-Up, visit https://go.360insights.com/achieving-partner-success-webinar.
To sign up for the live Webinar on July 18, register here: https://360insights.zoom.us/webinar/register/6515608739042/WN_QF-PtSnwQRiNGCFNV5kwyA
Larry Walsh is the CEO of The 2112 Group, a business strategy and research firm servicing the IT channel community. He’s also the publisher of Channelnomics, the leading source of channel news and trend analysis. Follow Larry on Twitter at @lmwalsh2112 and subscribe to his podcast, Pod2112, on iTunes, Google Play, and other leading podcast sources. You can always e-mail Larry directly at lmwalsh@the2112group.com.