Two incidents last week, though seemingly unconnected, brought into focus the growing activism in a section of the channel community and how it can translate into a success story.
On Dec 13 Asus, one of the leading technology companies, announced ambitious plans to scale up its sales, marketing, service support and channel operations beginning early next year. The company had earlier tied up with RT Outsourcing Services as its service partner for its LCD monitor and notebook products across 24 locations in India.
Asus was perceived to have complicated, time-consuming and not a channel-friendly warranty policy. For umpteen times the channel partners relentlessly pursued the warranty and replacement hassles with Asus despite its adamant stance. They even roped in the distributors and associations, and even went to the extent of abandoning the company. Asus has finally decided to alter its service policies. To further gain the channel’s confidence, the company has announced that it will now invest Rs 10 crore in the first phase of its expansion plans in India.
It is a reflection that the channel community is putting its point across to the manufacturers more strikingly than ever before. It is true that more and more partners are coming out of the closet and standing up for themselves.
The other incident concerns the initiative of Computer Media Dealers Association (CMDA) of Pune to observe a total bandh to support the Octroi Protest Movement, along with Federation of Traders Association (FTA) of Pune, and its decision to support an indefinite strike, if necessary, to make the government act. It is heartening as the intensification of the campaign has come at the right time with the BMC polls round the corner. Also this is in stark contrast to the IT community in the state which has been rather lackluster in their campaign against octroi.
The channel has got its act together and is clear in terms of what it wants. This realization of a clear objective has given them the foresight and the strength to address it in unison. Now they are not apprehensive even to go for an indefinite strike, if need be.