The good times are finally back. Meetings with key distributors recently seem to indicate that the channel is all set to do roaring business in 2004. Manufacturers too are an optimist lot of people these days. The years of struggle are finally paying off.
p____p The feel good factor that seems to be prevalent in the rest of the economy is reflected in the channel community too. With India boasting of one of the highest growth rates in the APAC region, more and more vendors are consolidating and strengthening their position in the Indian market.
p____p Where vendors are focused on tapping new markets and increasing their geographical presence, distributors are concentrating on enhancing their service support offerings, as they realize that this is the one key factor that will give them a key competitive advantage.
p____p However, this does not mean that the ills that plague business practices in the channel have been done away with. In fact, the fear is that the return of the bullish trend might sideline the growing incidence of business malpractices, as the channel concentrates on rebuilding its business. Its therefore more important now than ever before, that partners implement a proper code of conduct that has to be followed by all.
p____p To ensure that history does not repeat itself, stringent entry barriers and transparent business dealings are the need of the day. The groundwork of setting these norms in place has already been done, now its time to start the implementation.