Sustainability and inclusion have become critical workplace topics and a focus of global strategic initiatives. Those conversations have taken on even more importance in the IT business community where skills shortages remain a major problem, according to Cass Cooper, MHR, a columnist for Inclusive Leadership at CRN, a part of The Channel Company. In episode #40 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC, she discusses some of the biggest obstacles and opportunities for companies looking to develop more sustainable and inclusive workplaces with guest host Kavita May, SVP of Planning and Operations at GTDC

How critical is a work-life rhythm for sustainability? Cooper shares the factors that motivate today’s employees and their desire to be respected for their efforts. Companies that provide time for workers to take walks mid-day or shorten meetings to provide mental breaks between calls are more likely to land prospective recruits.

How can businesses create more meaningful change? What are companies doing to improve retention rates? Listen to this special episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC to find out.

 Check out the GTDC Knowledge Hub to access other podcast episodes and a host of other valued industry resources.  

New technologies are an opportunity for the channel, but not every vendor or solution provider can scale these offerings without the right combination of resources and expertise. That subject was one of several covered by CEO Frank Vitagliano and a panel of top distribution executives at the recent GTDC Summit EMEA. Recorded live from this year’s event in Noordwijk, Netherlands, their collective conversation highlighted some of the latest innovations and business trends, including many of the ways IT distributors reduce the adoption curve for their vendor and solution provider partners. Those speakers included:     

David Grant, CEO, Westcon International  Philippe Jarre, CEO, Mindware  Miriam Murphy, President Europe, TD SYNNEX Klaus Schlichtherle, CEO, Infinigate 

What are the biggest challenges and opportunities for the channel in 2024? How is distribution innovating to drive new technology sales and market adoption? Hear what this esteemed group had to say on those topics in this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC.   

Visit the GTDC Knowledge Hub for access to additional podcast episodes and other valued industry resources.  

With economists projecting inflation and interest rates to stabilize and overall monetary policies to steady, there are several reasons for industry leaders to be optimistic in 2024, suggests Emily Mansfield, Regional Director, Europe, Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). She joins host Frank Vitagliano for an informative dialogue on consumer and business demand and the critical factors impacting both communities in episode 38 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC.

A keynote speaker at the 2024 GTDC EMEA Summit, Mansfield also provides a preview of her presentation, including the new and ongoing issues and key trends that ICT leaders should be watching this year. From potential supply chain disruptors and optimism over the latest technologies to monetary and political policies that could impact the industry, she outlines the likely consequences of a variety of different situations.

 How are China’s struggles, regional conflicts, and political uncertainties affecting global markets? Can AI and the post-pandemic technology refresh cycle fuel a resurgence in 2024?

Listen to this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC for all those answers (and more).   

Visit the GTDC Knowledge Hub for access to additional podcast episodes and other valued industry resources.  

While consumer technology spending continues to lag, consistent demand in the corporate and government sectors provided resiliency to the IT industry. If projected effects of AI-induced refresh cycles and sustainability initiatives come about, prospects for 2024 could be even brighter, according to Alessandro Cattani, Chief Executive Officer, Esprinet Group. In episode 37 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC, he shares thoughts on the latest market opportunities and other critical topics with host Frank Vitagliano.

What economic and compliance factors could affect the EU channel? How will new sustainability initiatives affect distributors, vendors and providers? Check out this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC for those answers and more.

Be sure to visit the GTDC Knowledge Hub for access to all episodes of the podcast and other valued industry resources.

In episode 36 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC, Dave O'Callaghan, Managing Partner of Vation Ventures, leads a best practices discussion on ramping up sales and adoption of AI technologies. This discussion was recorded live at the GTDC Summit NA in Oceanside, CA, with several executives extolling the benefits and challenges of these solutions and the ways distribution empowers their sales and adoption. The guest panelists include:     

Mike Arrowsmith - Chief Trust Officer, NinjaOne

Dan Campbell – former President, Arrow ECS

Darren Williams – CEO and Founder, BlackFog

What incremental sales opportunities could AI bring to the channel? Which skills will help vendors and partners roll out new solutions? How can vendors "lean in” on innovative solution provider partners to spur adoption. Listen to this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC for some insightful answers.

Access more podcast episodes and other resources created specifically for channel vendors and distributors on the GTDC Knowledge Hub.   

From the computer science lab to executive roles with Fortune 100 companies, Cheryl Cook, Senior Vice President of Global Partner Marketing of Dell Technologies understands the challenges and opportunities available in the IT industry. In this episode, the esteemed channel leader who recently announced she will retire in May after 40 years in the industry shares her personal experiences and thoughts on a range of topics with host Frank Vitagliano. From the rapid advances in technologies and business models to the ongoing focus on inclusion, the duo explores several factors reshaping the industry and its people.

How can tech companies do a better job hiring, training and mentoring a more inclusive workforce? What effect will AI have on IT sales and refresh efforts in the near future? How can leaders help new recruits find an equilibrium between social and business skills to boost their chances of success in the channel? Hear those answer and more in this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC.

Check out additional episodes and other valued industry resources on the GTDC Knowledge Hub.

Intelligent platforms are essential to the current and future growth of the IT community, according to Matt Yorke, CEO of the Channel Company. The recently hired executive joined host Frank Vitagliano at the GTDC Summit North America for an engaging conversation on the innovative tools available to the industry, new technology trends and the rising value of distribution. From developing a creative and results-driven business culture to helping customers accelerate growth in global markets, the two industry veterans cover a variety of topics that impact virtually every technology company.

How will the channel respond and capitalize on innovations like AI and hyperscalers? In what ways will Yorke and his team support those changes and address the needs of partners, vendors and distributors? Check out this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC for those answers (and more).

Access our complete podcast library and a host of other industry resources in the GTDC Knowledge Hub.

Transformation can be difficult and costly without effective strategies, team members, and partners. In this episode, Frank Vitagliano moderates an insightful conversation on that topic with a panel of top executives from large global distributors. Recorded live from the GTDC Summit NA in Oceanside, CA, the discussion highlights the latest technology trends and the many ways distribution empowers sales and adoption and reduces the learning curve for vendors and solution providers. The speakers include:

Marty Bauerlein - Chief Commercial & Consumer Officer, D&H Kirk Robinson - EVP & President NA, Ingram Micro Kristin Russell - President Global ECS, Arrow Electronics Patrick Zammit - COO, TD SYNNEX

What challenges and opportunities lie ahead for channel vendors and partners? How can distribution strengthen technology adoption and reduce costs? Hear the answers in this special episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC.