{"id":14416,"date":"2024-12-16T20:14:29","date_gmt":"2024-12-16T20:14:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/a-season-of-gratitude-and-growth-partnering-to-build-the-cisco-360-partner-program\/"},"modified":"2024-12-16T20:14:29","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T20:14:29","slug":"a-season-of-gratitude-and-growth-partnering-to-build-the-cisco-360-partner-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/a-season-of-gratitude-and-growth-partnering-to-build-the-cisco-360-partner-program\/","title":{"rendered":"A Season of Gratitude and Growth: Partnering to Build the Cisco 360 Partner Program"},"content":{"rendered":"

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With the holiday season upon us, I find myself reflecting on what has been a truly special year, one that included a milestone birthday for me. It was the perfect reason to embrace new adventures and celebrate with loved ones. From running a 10-mile race with my family to picking up judo again with my boys, and even whale watching together in Quebec, this year became a journey of saying \u2018yes\u2019 to living life fully. It\u2019s been a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful moments come from simply embracing the present.<\/p>\n

These personal adventures have been complemented by an equally rewarding journey at work. I am grateful for the chance to contribute to something truly transformational\u2014building the Cisco 360 Partner Program\u2014a program built with one goal in mind: to help you, our partners, grow your business, deliver more value to your customers, and thrive in an ever-evolving market.<\/p>\n

Why this matters to you, our partners<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Our work began with a clear focus: to create a program that puts your needs at the center. We listened closely to your feedback, collaborated deeply with industry analysts, and made bold moves to align our efforts with what matters most to you \u2014 simplicity, profitability, and differentiation.<\/p>\n

To achieve this, we prioritized your feedback at every step. We engaged with countless partners and industry analysts to understand what\u2019s working, what\u2019s not, and where we can improve. The result? A program that simplifies engagement, focuses on value over transactions, and sets you up for long-term success.<\/p>\n

The journey to building the Cisco 360 Partner Program<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Bringing this vision to life has been a journey marked by relentless dedication, innovation, and collaboration. In March 2024, under the guidance of Rodney Clark, Cisco\u2019s Senior Vice President, Partnerships and Small & Medium Business, we began shaping a program that not only reflects Cisco\u2019s commitment to innovation but also enables your continued success.<\/p>\n

We structured our work into five agile sprints, aligning key milestones with pivotal Cisco events like our fiscal year-end, annual sales conference\u2014GSX, and our premier partner event\u2014Partner Summit. Each sprint began with a clear focus and ended with feedback sessions to ensure we were always improving. Throughout the process, your input guided us, helping us build a program that reflects your needs and the realities of the market.<\/p>\n

This transformation represents a significant evolution, as noted by Shelly DeMotte Kramer from theCUBE Research<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe new partner program\u2019s emphasis on value over transactions represents a fundamental shift, and one that aligns with modern enterprise buying patterns. By moving away from traditional volume-based metrics to focus on customer outcomes and lifecycle value, Cisco is positioning its partners to capture more recurring revenue while building deeper customer relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the progress we made, this journey was not without its hurdles. The past ten months required intense collaboration, including late nights and weekend sessions to ensure we delivered our vision in time for Partner Summit. But the effort paid off. We capped off each sprint with a moment to celebrate, not just to recognize our achievements but to acknowledge the hard work and dedication everyone brought to the table.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, this evolution has been about more than just launching a program. It\u2019s a starting point\u2014one built with intention, lessons learned, and a commitment to continuous improvement. We know the work is far from done. The journey ahead will require the same dedication, collaboration, and openness to learning that brought us here. In the months and years to come, we\u2019ll take these lessons forward, refining and evolving the program to meet your needs and the changing demands of the market.<\/p>\n

The Power of Collaboration and Camaraderie<\/strong><\/h2>\n

What truly set this experience apart was not just the creation of a program, but the deep collaboration and shared purpose that made it extraordinary. As Brian Overmyer, Director of Partner Practice Engagement,<\/strong> beautifully expressed, \u201cThe last few months have been the most fun I\u2019ve had in my career, and it\u2019s 100% because of how close I have felt to all of you\u2014from people I have worked with for years to the opportunity to meet and work with new people that consistently impress me. I have learned a ton from all of you and there is no doubt this is the most talented team in the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ian Anderson<\/strong>, UK Chief Technology Officer<\/strong>, Natilik<\/strong>, agrees and said:<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the joys of partnering with Cisco is it truly is a two-way partnership, each of us benefitting from the collaboration.\u00a0Natilik has thrived in Cisco\u2019s partner program for many years, achieving the highest standard across various technologies that support our business goals and customer digital transformations.<\/p>\n

As technology rapidly evolves, it\u2019s vital for a partner program to remain valuable and relevant. Cisco recognises that partners are pivotal to any program transformation and their commitment to co-creation\u2014listening, sharing, and collaborating\u2014lead to a successful partnership for today, tomorrow, and beyond. We at Natilik are excited to take this journey with Cisco and build a program that rewards innovation and specialisation, delivering successful outcomes for our joint customers.\u201d<\/p>\n

This spirit of teamwork and camaraderie is what made the process so fulfilling\u2014not just because of the transformation we accomplished, but because of the incredible people I had the privilege to work with. Every challenge was met with teamwork, a \u201ccan do\u201d mindset and a shared determination to create something transformational. This serves as a reminder of the incredible things we can achieve together. It\u2019s these moments of growth and collaboration that made every challenge worth it and reminded me why I love what I do.<\/p>\n

Designed for Your Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Here\u2019s how this program delivers value for you:<\/p>\n