In this episode, Samantha Brown, the Marketing Partnerships Manager at Finale Inventory, discusses the importance of transitioning from spreadsheets to an Inventory Management System (IMS) and the challenges of implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. She emphasizes the need for businesses to move off spreadsheets as soon as possible and highlights the benefits of using an IMS like Finale Inventory. Samantha also shares insights on the key challenges in partnerships and the unique clients that Finale has worked with, including a sweat-inducing cream seller and a fireworks company. She concludes by explaining how Finale solves the problem of inventory management and differentiates itself through its dedicated team and commitment to customer success.

As Partner Marketing Manager at Finale Inventory, Samantha drives partner success in inventory and operations management. With over a decade of experience in SaaS, ecommerce, and marketing, Samantha brings a wealth of experience to helping thousands of brands optimize their inventory operations through the trusted Finale Inventory platform. Residing in Bend, OR, alongside her husband, spirited toddler daughter, and beloved bernedoodle, she keeps life an endless adventure. Whether it's hitting the slopes, paddleboarding the Deschutes, or indulging in the rich offerings of wine country, her family is always on the quest for the next great experience.

You can connect with Samantha on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbrown296/

This week I have the chance to chat with David Lin, the owner of DL & Associates, an MSP that specializes in QuickBooks and data migration. We discuss the role of MSPs and how they work with app partners. David shares his background and experience in software development and working with different accounting systems. We also dive into the three custom apps that DL & Associates has developed: a proof of delivery app, a point of sale app, and an intercompany transaction app. David emphasizes the importance of trust and asking the right questions when working with partners and customers.

David is the founder and CEO of DL & Associates, LLC. After several years as a lead engineer at a large software company, David decided to extend his knowledge and custom programming to the #1 accounting software in the world. David is regarded as one of the top QuickBooks consultants and programmers in the country.

If you would like to learn more about DL & Associates, visit their website at www.dlaexperts.com

This week we sit down with Peter Van der Westhuizen at Linnworks to discuss how to go about building a joint GTM framework with your partners. Peter goes through his 5 pillars of a solid framework and we also discuss the complexities of where to start when you inherit a partnership as the channel manager.

Peter Van der Westhuizen is currently the Senior Partner Account Manager at Linnworks, an ecommerce inventory and order management software that helps retailers automate processes, reduce costs & grow their business. Previous to this role he was a Senior Strategic Partner at BigCommerce. If you would like to connect with Peter and learn more about Linnnworks, you can reach out to him at peter.vanderwesthuizen@linnworks.com.

This week we are joined by Shawn Coultice from Katana and Nav Sandhu from SaaS Direct to discuss partnership challenges and the adoption of ERP solutions in the mid-market space. We highlight the importance of identifying the ideal partner profile and aligning business objectives for successful partnerships. We also discuss the roadblocks to ERP adoption, such as cost, complexity, data silos, and outdated information. Shawn and Nav explain how their companies solve these problems by offering integrated solutions, data migration services, and a best-of-breed tech stack. They emphasize the importance of understanding customer needs and providing seamless integration and user experience. Shawn Coultice is the Head of Channel Partnerships at Katana and has over a decade of experience helping businesses succeed with the right technology in the inventory technology space. Driven to solve complex business problems with cloud solutions, he has built a growing community of experts that can scale with Katana as a trusted partner.

Nav Sandhu is the CEO and Founder of SaaS Direct. He is a technologist with expertise in building financial products and platforms for the largest banks and brokers in the world. Nav launched SaaS Direct to solve SMB and mid-market challenges in the finance and accounting space through a suite of AI products and vertical-focused solutions.