Wasting Time with DELL debates
Mark Crall sent me an email today about his postings about DELL and the ongoing debate about their Partner Program. You can read the debates at http://sbsc.techcareteam.com/archives/246. Now this debate is going on for far to long. Do you honestly think DELL really cares what you think of them? Chances are no they don’t. Do they care about how to make their program better by engaging with committed partners? Absolutely. On Tuesday, I am very fortunate to host a call with partners that want to give DELL’s Greg Davis some constructive feedback on how they can make their partner program better. It is not a call to belly ache, again, DELL doesn’t care about your problems with their program, they care about committed partners that want to help them make it better.
I am totally shocked on how much time people are wasting complaining about the program, the complaining may make you feel better however it doesn’t change a thing. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful relationship with DELL in Canada and across the world now. DELL is my chosen vendor to work with, they have come to the plate when I needed things, they have never ever ever gone direct on one of my deals, I openly share my pipeline with them and I meet with them every time I am in Toronto. You see, just like some of my friends who are in HP’s partner program, I am just as committed to work with DELL to improve things as they are to work with HP. You see the world is a much better place.
You can choose to work with whoever you decide.
I love what Beatrice has said here on Mark’s DELL Dilemma posting:
“What issue? This is a free country and everyone can run their business the way they want as long as it’s legal. After all, this is America right?
Are Dell’s actions inconsiderate? Like any other business, Dell is looking to expand market share. This is nothing personal.
I used to be a Dell reseller when I still had my consulting practice, and yes, Dell did call my customers. Did I lose business? No. Did I make Dell sign a non-compete before I sold their hardware to my clients? No. Did I continue to sell Dell? You bet.
The way I look at it, that’s just business. If it’s not Dell today it will be someone or something else tomorrow. This business keeps you on your toes in more ways than one, and all you have to do is to chose what you spend your energy on - being a smart business person or being a luddite. ” - Beatrice Mulzer
It is a free country, just like the US, Canadians are open to work with whomever they want, that is what our country was built on, free enterprise. And also, look in the mirror of your own business, isn’t your business goals to make your shareholders have value in the company (even if it just you), your clients are looked after second, and then your partners. Why wouldn’t DELL be any different than you.
I think it is time some of us focus on making money, have you noticed that the economy is softening a bit, keep debating DELL vs. the World and I will go out and get the business, or DELL just may call on your client when you are not looking!
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Comments
Hi Stuart -
I think the most important thing I see, in your side of the discussion, is your commitment to your own vendor relationships….which is really important. If you’re happy with Dell, and you’re both treating each other well, then why worry? You’ve got a good thing going!
I will say that, while your posting above might have been written in anger, I certainly HOPE Dell cares what VARs think of them. If they are serious about the partner channel, and they certainly seem to be, then I’d hope they are VERY concerned about perception of their relationships in the channel…and I think they probably ARE.
Erik
Hi Stuart,
Thanks for the ping back. BTW, there is no actual debate going on that I know of so don’t worry, I won’t miss the 5 minutes it took to write that blog if one person can make a decision and execute. What I have seen is a fair amount of SMBers stuck trying to decide if they want to do business with Dell. Stuck for various reasong but usually a lack of clarity. I thank you and the other community members whom provided what I hope will be valuable insight that may help those on the fence get back to business.
Mark