https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2020 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2020 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Digital Service Providers
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • CHANNEL PARTNERS ONLINE
 Channel Futures

Best Practices


Shutterstock

Celebrating team

CompTIA ChannelCon Online Covers Diversity, Partner Experience, What’s Next

  • Written by Allison Francis
  • August 4, 2020
The first day of the virtual conference hit on several hot industry topics as well as best practices.

Today was the opening day of CompTIA ChannelCon Online 2020, the virtual conference. Sessions ranged from topics such as diversity and inclusion in the tech industry, to what’s next for the channel, partner experience trends, and maintaining (and growing) your sales pipeline in times of economic uncertainty.

Diversity and Inclusion in Tech

Todd Thibodeaux, CEO, CompTIA

CompTIA’s Todd Thibodeaux

CompTIA ChannelCon Online opened with a virtual town hall meeting on “Diversity and Inclusion in the Tech Industry.” Moderated by CompTIA president and CEO Todd Thibodeaux, the session consisted of five executives — all current or former CompTIA board members.

While speakers expressed hope that real change will come from America’s social justice and equality protests, their hope is tempered by a history of past promises gone unfulfilled. However, the conversation shone a light on what has to happen to alter the current course. 

Transformation Lead's Georgette Fraser-Moore

Transformation Lead’s Georgette Fraser-Moore

“We have to have those hard conversations,” said Dr. Georgette Fraser-Moore, founder and CEO of Transformation Lead. “We need to find ways to communicate that don’t make people feel even more separated.”

“The typical blockers are fear and ignorance,” said Eric Hughes, partner of Agio Advisory. “These topics are hard, yes. But in order for us to advance this conversation, we have to get to a place where it’s not just [underrepresented demographics] advocating for these human rights. It has to be the majority.”

Diversity in the Workforce

One of the ways the industry can demonstrate its leadership is to make a true, long-term commitment to diversify its workforce, CompTIA ChannelCon Online panelists said.

Comcast Business' Barry Williams

Comcast Business’ Barry Williams

“There have been plenty of studies that shows the more diverse the company is the better the opportunity you have to be successful,” noted Barry Williams, executive director, indirect channel sales, Comcast Business.

“It’s time for the tech industry to step up, for [venture capital] to step up and start asking the diversity questions,” said Louis Steward, chief innovation officer for the City of Sacramento, California. “You have to have the will to hire to make your company reflect the customers you serve.”

The momentum of the movement for change and the large numbers of people involved have instilled hope, and point to a willingness and want for a shift. 

“This is not just a Black challenge,” said Thibodeaux. “This is a community challenge. You must now do the work. This needs to be a new channel of change.”

What’s Next for the Channel?

Another session dove into the topic of what’s next for the channel. Industry experts discussed the impact the first half of 2020 has had on the channel and asked the question, “Where do we go from here?” 

Experts discussed practical advice and strategies to keep partner businesses moving forward in these unprecedented times. Most solution providers and MSPs have found that their value to customers has increased during the coronavirus pandemic. That’s especially as clients view them as essential partners. Their role as trusted advisers has been critical. So how can one maintain and enhance that role moving forward?

“Many in the channel were trying to tread water in 2008 and make sure they didn’t go out of business, but those that were able to invest were more robust when things got better,” said Carolyn April, senior director of industry analysis at CompTIA, and moderator of the session. “That’s an economic dynamic that exists and hopefully we’ll see that in the channel today.” 

The other panelists wholeheartedly agreed in the sense that …

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
Tags: MSPs VARs/SIs Best Practices Business Models Channel 101 Channel Programs Digital Transformation Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Sales & Marketing Specialty Practices Strategy

Related


  • New Hire
    Cybereason Hires Check Point, Fortinet Channel Leaders in North America Expansion
    The channel leaders will expand Cybereason's endpoint business.
  • Businessman stepping up ladder
    Andy Jassy of AWS Is Movin' On Up: Partners React
    Find out what some of your peers and suppliers have to say about Jassy becoming Amazon CEO.
  • Growth depiction
    UK Channel Expects Big Growth in 2021, Cybersecurity a Big Driver
    Many partners view COVID-19 delays as one of the least important challenges they face.
  • Assessment
    CompTIA Rolls Out New Tech Vendor Assessment Tool
    Vendors may be overestimating their own channel readiness.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Black History Month: Celebrating Tech Pioneers
  • MSPs: Grow the Business with Marketing (While Focusing on What You Do Best)
  • The Top IT Challenges Executives Will Face in 2021
  • The Smart Money’s on a Staged Approach to Security Services Provision

Galleries

View all

Channel Partners Virtual 2021 Is the Hottest Ticket in Town

February 26, 2021

Industry Perspectives

View all

The “Roaring 20s” Are Coming

February 25, 2021

Three Ways MSPs Can Improve Supply Chain Security

February 24, 2021

SASE: The Key to Mitigating Business Transformation Risk

February 22, 2021

Webinars

View all

A Partner’s Perspective on Channel Success in 2021

March 17, 2021

XDR and Why it Matters to MSPs

March 24, 2021

Top Security Trends Impacting Technology Security Providers In 2021

March 25, 2021

White Papers

View all

Ready To Add Cutting Edge IoT Solutions To Your Portfolio?

  • 1
February 25, 2021

What Is The Value Of Distribution For The Internet Of Things?

February 25, 2021

The Internet of Things (IoT): Where do You Begin?

  • 1
February 25, 2021

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Virtual

March 2, 2021 - March 4, 2021

Channel Partners Conference & Expo

November 1, 2021 - November 4, 2021

Videos and Fastchats

View all

FASTCHAT: How SOAR Eliminates Security Challenges and Elevates Service Provider Revenues

January 6, 2021

Happy Holidays from Channel Partners & Channel Futures!

December 21, 2020

FASTCHAT: How Old, Unpatched Technologies Are Creating New Security Threats for MSPs and Their Customers

December 3, 2020

Twitter

ChannelFutures

Amazon WorkSpaces @awscloud DaaS client will be available on @IGEL_Technology virtual endpoint client OS.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

February 26, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@VMware cutting more workers in California as part of ongoing #workforcerebalancing. #layoffs… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

February 26, 2021
ChannelFutures

#CPVirtual is March 2-4. It’s the hottest ticket in town — any town, since it’s 100% online — so make sure you have… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

February 26, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@datto, @ThreatLocker partner to streamline #MSP secure business operations. dlvr.it/RtYvJK https://t.co/nKGnwbblNO

February 26, 2021
ChannelFutures

Infographic: Why Partner with Sierra Wireless and GetWireless? dlvr.it/RtYh1m https://t.co/KcBFzXIx7l

February 26, 2021
ChannelFutures

Infographic: The Sierra Wireless Essential Series dlvr.it/RtYgxv https://t.co/CatxbRHzXr

February 26, 2021
ChannelFutures

#Threatprotection is no small matter for #MSSPs. Find out what vendors say you have to do this year to protect your… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

February 26, 2021
ChannelFutures

Cloud strategies and cybersecurity are key, and #COVID19 will have more impact than #Brexit on U.K. channel, says… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

February 26, 2021

MSSP Insider

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for The Channel Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Newsletter and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Channel Partners Online

Want more? Find more channel news and analysis on our sister site, Channel Partners.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Online
  • Channel Partners Events
  • MSP 501
  • MSSP Insider
  • IoT World Today
  • Webhostingtalk

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X