Channel Chat Podcast

Marc Sumner is joined by the MD of Westcoast, Alex Tatham.   On today's episode they discuss the affect the current situation is having on the supply chain as well as some of the things Westcoast are doing to try and make the supply chain work as efficiently as possible, despite being being on lock-down.

Today Marc has been joined by the CEO of Quantiq, Stuart Fenton in the virtual studio. They focus on how best to manage when working with a remote team as well as the importance of focusing on the well-being of your people in these challenging times.

In this special edition, Nigel Dunn from Jabra, shares his experiences of how Jabra has adapted to working life after lockdown.  Nigel has some great advice about:- How to best adapt to the current changes that everybody is experiencing to their daily routine. The use of technology and how to adapt to home working, as well as Nigel's take about how the market will change as a result of the recent government lock-down.

Today Marc Sumner has been joined in the Channel Chat Studio by Raoul Monks the founder of Flume Training. This episode was recorded before the recent lockdown however Raoul and Marc talk about:- The importance of training and self development in tough times The dynamics of the sales decision making process How a different perspective might be required by lots of sales people to gain better results. Raoul is running a series of free webinars during this lock-down so contact him on LinkedIn to find out more.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/raoulmonks/  

In this weeks episode Marc is joined in the studio by Scott Dodds, the CEO of Ultima. As well as exploring Scott's fascinating career journey, from working within inside sales in a distributor to heading up one of the CRN's Top 100 VARS, Marc and Scott also discuss recent developments at Ultima - their recent private equity 'acquisition' and their use of automation tools to make themselves and their customers more efficient.

Today guest presenter Calum Lyle was joined in the Channel Chat studio by Sean Doggett and James Kavanagh from cyber-solutions provider Cyber Vigilance. Both Sean and James come very much from a technical background so it was interesting to hear about their challenges of starting and growing a new business with limited sales experience and how they work with the channel to help drive sales and their plans for growing the company moving forward.

Today Marc and Calum have been joined in the studio by 2019's CRN "Industry Achievement" award winner Softcat's Graeme Watt. They discussed the reasons behind Softcat's success, the challenge of recruiting in the channel and the role technology businesses can play in helping in the wider community. Sit back, listen and enjoy.

Today Marc was joined by Mark Butcher from Posetiv IT. He talks about his journey from being a highly successful individual contributor to where he is today running his own Cloud focused business.  

Today Marc Sumner was joined in the Channel Chat studio by Alex Tatham, MD of Westcoast. Marc and Alex discuss: - the story of Westcoast and how they have grown to become one of the largest privately owned businesses in the UK today.  The state of the IT channel in the UK today and why the future is looking so bright at Westcoast The importance of encouraging the younger generation in getting involved in the IT market place. Sit back listen and enjoy.

On this weeks Channel Chat Marc Sumner was joined in the studio by IT industry legend Dave Allen, former MD of NetApp and more recently VP of Palo Alto Networks. "It was great to spend a couple of hours in his company, his personality was infectious! On today’s episode we covered a lot of ground including; Dave’s journey at NetApp from individual contributor to MD in less than 5 years How he moved from traditional infrastructure into the disruptive world of cyber-security. The importance of planning your negotiations The art of self-belief and empowerment and avoiding the ‘victim’ mentality How to best prepare for interviews and what he looks for when he is hiring Sit back, listen and enjoy! Marc"