Selling Through Distribution Partners
Channel your expertise with channel management training.
Channel partners, comprising resellers, affiliate partners, distributors, value-added providers, and independent retailers, play a pivotal role in technical sales. Using channel partners allows a business to access markets and customers that would otherwise be impractical or prohibitively expensive to reach through direct sales.
However, effectively collaborating with, managing, and influencing these partners, who operate independently and outside of direct authority, demands a distinct set of skills and processes compared to selling directly.
This training course builds upon a proven program with a decade-long track record, providing individuals selling through partners with the essential skills and processes necessary to drive exceptional outcomes.
Book your place now:
Remote Training: February 2025 - March 2025
Module 1 24th February 14:00 GMT
Module 2 3rd March 14:00 GMT
Module 3 10th March 14:00 GMT
Module 4 17th March 14:00 GMT
Dates coming soon...
How Does It Work?
The training course consists of 4 modules and how you attend the course is totally up to you:
Remote / Online: The modules are delivered in 4 sessions, each 2 & 3/4 hour sessions remotely online.
In Person / Classroom: If you prefer in person training then the course is also delivered in the classroom over 2 days.
If you’re new to a Channel Management role or your sales role demands channel management activity for which you’ve had no formal training, this course is the perfect start to your career in Channel Partner Management.
Module 1 Agenda:
Core Skills in Channel Partner Management
Key topics and learning outcomes:
The responsibilities of channel partner management. Fully understand your responsibilities and the characteristics of a role model Channel Partner Manager.
Leading vs. managing. Appreciate the difference between leading and managing channel partners.
Self-management techniques. Master goal setting, planning, and prioritization to make the most of your own and your channel partners time.
Module 2 Agenda:
Key Processes and Structures
Key topics and learning outcomes:
Comprehensive business planning. Be ready to develop a plan that secures executive buy-in and helps you exceed revenue and growth goals.
Auditing your business. Evaluate your company's readiness for partner-based sales through internal audits.
Assessing routes to market. Confidently conduct market size assessments and gap analysis to analyse your market, identify opportunities, and devise strategies that align with your business goals.
Creating ideal channel partner profiles. Build profiles that help you focus your search and
better assess potential partners – so you waste less time looking at the wrong ones!
Module 3 Agenda:
Effective Management of Channel Partner Performance
Key topics and learning outcomes:
Monitoring metrics. Know what to measure when assessing the performance of your distribution partners.
Targets and goals. Set activity-focused, achievable goals that give you clarity on measuring, tracking and improving your business performance.
Managing multiple sales funnels. Learn processes and skills that help you effectively co-ordinate multiple sales funnels.
Conducting business reviews. Lead reviews that build strong relationships and motivate and inspire your channel partners.
Dealing with underperformance. Understand recovery planning and the key elements to consider when terminating a partner.
Module 4 Agenda:
Influencing Channel Partners to Deliver Great Results
Key topics and learning outcomes:
Assessing channel partners. Apply strategic processes to identify opportunities for growth.
Managing power imbalances. Anticipate power imbalances before they happen and implement techniques that rebalance any skewed power dynamic.
Effective joint visits. Understand how high-quality joint ventures can transform relationships and help you realise the maximum value of your network.
Motivating channel partners. From incentives to empathy and effective communication, learn how create a motivating environment for your channel partners for lasting relationships and maximum returns.
Building trust. Foster trust with your channel partners by managing expectations around forecasting, adding value and investing in continuous development.
“I really enjoyed the training, and it was exactly what I needed! I am already making plans to incorporate what I learned into my plans for the year and I am sure it will have a positive impact on my output. I'd give the session a 10/10 all around as I can't think of anything I would change.”
Who should attend?
Meet the trainers
Jonathan Cooper
Back in 1998, Jonathan Cooper co-founded george james ltd. with business partner Neil Burns. Now, Jonathan’s primary focus is the delivery of sales and commercially focused training, leadership development and one to one coaching and mentoring programs.
Pru Layton
Pru has dedicated over a decade to training, coaching and mentoring individuals and teams in the science and technology sector. Currently, she runs both the scheduled training courses and in-house tailored training programs as well as offers one-to-one coaching and mentoring.
Steve Vaughan
As a senior trainer, Steve runs both the scheduled training courses and tailored training programs covering all aspects of sales and sales leadership. Steve also provides one-to-one coaching.
Pascal Le Floch-Riche
Pascal runs both the scheduled training courses and in-house tailored training programs while delivering complementary individual coaching and mentoring in both French and English.
Jayne Green
As a sales trainer and coach, Jayne takes a holistic approach that isn’t just about transferring knowledge but aims to foster a growth mindset and enable people to continually develop long after training has finished.
Christian Walter
Christian runs both the open program and in-house tailored training programs and delivers individual coaching and mentoring in both German and English.
Debbie Airey
During her time at Halma Group Debbie became a leader known for fostering growth and championing inclusivity within her teams. Now, as a Senior Sales Trainer, Debbie runs both scheduled and in-house training.
As a senior trainer, Steve runs both the open and tailored training programmes covering all aspects of sales and sales leadership. Steve also provides one-to-one coaching.
Before spending 30 years in sales, sales management and general management roles, Steve graduated with a bachelors in chemistry and spent several years working in the synthetic organic chemistry world. This blend of science and commercial experience allows Steve to provide unique insight into life science, analytical instruments, general laboratory equipment and precision industrial sales.
Steve has a particular interest in channel/distribution management and hybrid remote/face to face selling. In addition to his roles and responsibilities at george james ltd, Steve is a co-director of a wedding photography business, which has sparked a curiosity into the power of social selling.
“In my previous life as a sales leader, I discovered that facilitating my team members to grow and develop was a big passion of mine. This led me to a successful career in sales training. I firmly believe that with the right approach and support we can all achieve our potential – and even surpass our own expectations!”
We know the ins and outs of the science and technology industry
Ever attended a commercial or sales training program but felt like the trainers don’t understand the nuances of your industry? Having had thriving careers in the science and technology industry, with decades in similar roles to you, as well as years of experience as successful sales coaches, you can be confident that our coaches know the ins and outs of your market.
Have a question about one of our services?
Not sold on sales training quite yet? If you want a little more information or just fancy a chat about our services, fill in the contact form or send us an email training@georgejamesltd.com and we’ll get right back to you.
“The role playing session was extremely helpful in coaching them to use all concepts earlier training sessions to the end: qualification - NAMTCR, how to develop relationship with KOL's, facing competition, handling objections (APIAC), and making great presentations.”