The Time is Now.
The Channel Community has been on a collision course with private equity institutions since its inception. Companies like Telarus, Intelisys, AppDirect, Avant, and others were bound to attract the attention of savvy investors eventually. When you think about it, what we've built in this industry is a multi-billion dollar thesis that is proven out year after year. Its growth trajectory alone over the last 20 years indicates it's only going to continue trending upwards.
I read an article a few weeks ago that mentioned just a few years ago, only 20% of technology buyers acquired their services from "The Channel." The article further suggested that in the next few years, that number is expected to flip to nearly 80%!
The market is ripe for growth, and Private Equity has arrived in force. We've seen it in the supplier community for years through mergers and acquisitions. Now, we're seeing it in the consolidation of TSDs as well as the consolidation of the Trusted Advisor community; think BridgePointe, Bluewave, ARG, OneSource, and others.
First, congratulations to those who have benefited from these investments. Yes, I'm congratulating the mini-TSDs, the super-agents, those Trusted Advisors who have sold, the TSDs, but I'm also congratulating you, the Channel Manager at a supplier, the Channel Chief, the Marketing Director.
The reality is, Private Equity has validated our industry. They've put their version of the "Good Housekeeping" seal of approval on it. While we're seeing a lot of change and transition at the moment, this is good for you in the long run, it's good for me, and quite candidly, it's good for the industry. When there are roughly 400 suppliers in the community and an estimated 1200 more looking to get in, this proves and validates what many of us have been doing for years.
With all that in mind, it's time we step it up. If there are an additional 1200 suppliers looking to get into the space, it's time we up our game. Inevitably, some of the 1200 are competition to what it is that we are doing today. It's time to refine our elevator pitch, be present and follow up properly from events, invest in continued education, advance our careers, focus on productivity over busyness.
The tools to grow and mature are out there. This industry is full of people willing to help. The Channel Advisors™ stand ready to support anyone looking to move in the same direction as the industry, up and to the right.
My question to you today is, what are you doing to advance your career? What are you doing to set yourself apart from your peers? What are you doing to be seen as a thought leader in this space?