Dell Direct Dude Joins Channel Organization

The VAR guy enjoyed reading a recent blog entry from Sean Phelan, a former Dell Direct evangelist who is now helping the PC giant to build its partner network. Here are some quick thoughts from Phelan.

In the blog entry, Phelan writes:

“In my 10-year career at Dell, I had never seriously considered joining the channel organization because it had not been strategic or resourced like the direct businesses. However, the combination of Michael Dell telling us it was OK to do business with partners for mutual profit, the purchase of EQL [EqualLogic] and the launch of a strong channel program, this seemed like the perfect time to explore the new opportunities in the Americas Channels Group.”

Still skeptical? Hey, even Anakin Skywalker eventually escaped from The Dark Side.

And Dell is smart to start promoting the names and faces associated with the company’s channel programs. The effort will humanize Dell’s partner effort — assuming Phelan and other channel team members remain loyal to the initiative.

So, how’s the effort going so far? Dell recently warned that its current quarter isn’t going too well, but the PC giant has managed to certify more than 150 managed service providers, and there are signs that Dell’s channel program is winning over big skeptics.

Welcome to the channel, Sean.