Channel Futures Year in Review – The Top 10 Stories

It’s that time of year when we take a look at the year in review. Yes, most of us want nothing more than to see 2020 disappearing in the rearview mirror. But while the last 12 months have been brutal, they have also included some bright spots. In a counterpoint to the daily COVID-19 reports, there were stories of channel people and companies going above and beyond, of innovative industry responses to the challenges created by the pandemic and of individuals and organizations all across technology and telephony determined that the “new normal” will be inclusive, diverse and equitable.

In preparing this year in review, the editors at Channel Futures went through the good, the bad and the ugh-inspiring articles we posted in 2020 to identify our top 10 stories. We also invited a couple of channel thought leaders to offer their opinions on the year behind us, as well as what they expect — and hope — the new year to bring.

Among the topics we look at in this digital issue are:

• The long-term impact of the pandemic on how businesses operate, such as the acceleration of digital transformation and the rise of work-from-home, and how they are putting new emphasis on the importance of partners’ expertise.
• How the channel is standing up and speaking up in support of diversity, inclusion and equity, both inside and outside our industry.
• The new directions partners will take their businesses — and those of their clients — in the months and years ahead.