We saw it all happening this year. From notebooks that came with the sub-30,000 price tag to the sub-10,000 PC. From mergers in the distribution industry to takeovers and name changes in the IT manufacturing sector. And from lacklustre consumer buying to robust and healthy demand from both corporate and the home buyer.
We also saw margins getting squeezed to levels that we thought would wipe out the business. We dealt with the lower price points across product categories and burnt the midnight oil trying to understand the working of the value-added tax structure. We overcame the challenges and lived to tell the tale.
Now we take this journey to the next step. If this year was the year of consolidation for the IT channel industry, then next year is projected as being the year of maturation. It’s going to be the year where the much-touted solutions strategy becomes a reality. It will see the retail segment gain momentum and it will see the Indian PC buyer reap the benefits of the new IT wave that will engulf the country.
And in each and every one of these new areas of businesses lies a tremendous potential for every channel partner, irrespective of the geography or the vertical or product he currently focuses on. The bullish trend in IT consumption that started out this year will only gain further impetus in the coming months. The overall economic conditions are conducive to the growth projected by industry pundits. To get a clearer idea of what is in store for the partner, 360 Magazine got leading channel companies to elaborate their roadmap in its December 31st Outlook Special.
There is only one thing the partner needs to understand: the customer has to be King. The solution, the product, the technology – have to be adapted to meet his need. And to do this effectively and in a viable manner, it’s important for the channel partner to fine-tune his own skills. So, if this year you concentrated on sustaining the business, the next year should be dedicated to upgrading your business skills.