Channel Partner Strategy—Motivate, Motivate, Motivate

I own a small startup company, and I can confidently say that a channel distribution network is an effective way to sell products and services and at the same time generate significant amount of revenue. It involves the committed and dedicated efforts of my channel partners, who play vital roles in the transportation of my company’s products down the pipeline to the end consumers. From my experience, I realized just how important it is to have a channel partner strategy to ensure the proper management of my affiliates so that they will willingly perform at their very best for the benefit all the members of the channel.

Partners are not employees of a parent company. They are individual businesses that have their own objectives and philosophy. This is important to take note of because this means that they will not sell some random product if there’s nothing in it for them. Manufacturers are therefore faced with the challenge of providing these affiliates with the support, incentives and information they need to become motivated to work for the channel optimally, and develop a certain degree of loyalty to the parent company.

And so, my greatest advice to all other companies out there who intend to utilize channel management as part of their business process is to motivate, motivate, motivate! Motivation can make all the difference in the world when it comes to channel productivity and profitability. It is also an essential part of channel partner strategy that will serve both your goals in the long run.

There are a lot of ways to motivate channel members. In fact, the internet provides countless of sources that offer tips and guidelines in proper and effective partner management. One of the most important tips you can follow is to understand the business relationship. As I’ve mentioned, these companies are separate from your own business. This is why it is important to clarify where everyone stands and then build and establish a partnership that makes sense for everyone involved.

‘Eating’ Local Culture—Experiences Outside Small Hotel

I’m one of the many people who believe that a great way to experience and intimately familiarize oneself with a foreign country is through its local cuisine. You get to use majority of your senses—sight, smell, touch, taste. My friends call it cultural food porn; I firmly insist that it’s an out-of-this-world pigging out experience!

I recently went to Barbados with a couple of closest friends and we checked in a Barbados small hotel. I must say that our accommodations were more than extraordinary as it offered many different kinds of amenities as well as its own restaurant. My friends may have found the little nook to be convenient and satisfying, but I did not allow my taste buds to be limited to just one place (although their food was quite excellent, indeed).

And so, I constantly left our Barbados small hotel in search of my out-of-this-world pigging out experience. I am happy to say that I discovered authentic Bajan cuisine and fell instantly in love with it! The color, flavor, and texture were so intensely delightful that every bite sent me on gustatory overdrive.
Some of the best dishes I had were from the local restaurants and cheap eateries. The more upscale establishments had tasty versions of local food as well, but I think the Bajan taste was infused with international flavors, so I wasn’t entirely convinced that I was wolfing down a bowl of authetic Cou Cou.

And yes, my favorite food there is their national dish—the Cou Cou. The lady in one of the eateries happily informed me that it is easy to make. It consists of okra, corn meal and other easy-to-find ingredients in various supermarkets. The mashed potatoes-like dish is usually eaten with flying fish and beef stew. What I loved about it was its simplicity and heartiness.

The national dish pretty much reflects the island itself: simple, laidback and hearty. I highly recommend everyone to check in a Barbados small hotel and explore the island for a chance to experience a wonderful culture.