What is a Channel Engagement Portal? Before I explain what it is, maybe first I should start by telling you what it is NOT.
- It’s NOT a robust LMS, or a heavy training, certification, and accreditation solution.
- It’s NOT a robust marketing center where partners can co-brand and customize messaging and campaigns on demand.
- It’s NOT a rebate or co-op management and distribution solution.
- It’s NOT a robust CRM system, nor a social networking site.
- It is NOT a Channel Rewards or cash spiff program.
Now, with that being said, here’s what an engagement portal IS:
- It IS the perfect platform for new products readiness & competitive positioning readiness training. And it can totally integrate with those necessary LMS systems to track and reward important accomplishments.
- It IS ideal for serving up the latest and most relevant content to help your partners sell and stay informed.
- It IS an effective tool for creating awareness and excitement for the principal, while also serving up their % to goals and partner level tiers.
- It IS a great way to reward and motivate the partner’s salespeople for KPIs that are being tracked and measured in your CRM.
- It IS a platform that can be used to incentivize social behavior related to a partner’s business.
- It IS an essential part of rewarding your channel stakeholders. It’s what ties all of their good selling behaviors together. While you reward for training, sales, KPIs, social sharing, etc., they can redeem for merchandise, travel, event tickets, or anything else that engages people.
If you can only see Engagement Portals for what they can’t do, then you’re probably ignoring the inherent value that they can bring to any partner program. Maybe it IS time you kicked that glass-half-empty vision and started taking advantage of these platforms’ full potential.
If you want to hear or see more about the power of Engagement Portals shoot me a note here: Contact Us
Move the Channel,
Travis