There are many ways to organize a sales force for a software or hardware company. In my opinion, there is no one “right” way. There is only the BEST way for the unique circumstances of your current company. Like most aspects of developing a technology-based company, there are guidelines, but no exact road map to […]
Structuring Channel Discounts for Software and Technology Companies
Selling through sales and distribution channels of various types is very important to many software and hardware companies. Yet channel programs and specifically channel discount structures, are often thrown together quickly and haphazardly, without looking at any real hard data. Let’s examine some of the key items that are advisable to consider when structuring a […]
Dell Computer
Dell has been in the news recently, and like many big companies that have had a glitch in their performance, not in a good way. Slowing revenue growth, accounting scandals and customer service issues–you’ve heard it all before. By the way, where was the seminar that all big company managements attended, encouraging them to cut […]
Marketing and Selling Technology Products through the Value-Added Reseller (VAR) Channel
Selling through multiple channels is one of my preferred strategies in technology marketing. Done correctly, it allows a company to fully exploit its expensive, hard-earned intellectual property to the maximum extent. One of the most popular channels (and one of my favorites) used to sell B2B software and hardware is the Value-added Reseller or VAR […]
Technology Sales & Marketing-Is a direct or indirect approach best?
A question that often arises with early-stage software and hardware companies is “How should we sell our product? Should our technology sales approach be to sell directly, or should we sell through distributors, dealers/retailers, or OEM partners?” Best Technology Sales Method: It depends The answer, like most topics discussed in this forum, is rarely as […]