I want to invite you to get involved with the ChannelLine Advisory Council.

Not A Member: Send an email to Sharon Ashfield for a FREE membership.

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Please let Sharon Ashfield know which Task Force(s) you want to get involved with.

CLAC "Managing the Paradigm Shift" Task Forces:

•    Trusted Business Advisor: Multi-Vendor VAR business education and certification.
•    Channel Advocacy and Partner Locator: Why SMBs need VARs.
•    IT Biz: vendor education on how to successfully do business in North America and leveraging the IT channel (in conjunction with the American Chamber of Commerce, Canadian and US Consulates, etc.).
•     Channel Communities: providing education and collaboration tools that will bring the industry together.
•    Channel Enablement: providing channel members with the tools and vehicles they need in order to sell IT-focused solutions to SMBs.
•    Channel Affinity: providing Trusted Business Advisors with discounts and special offers that will help them to be more profitable.

If you have questions or just want to talk about the channel and how it can be more profitable for you, please call me at 1-905-763-1200.

Together we are making the channel more profitable for everyone.

I think this is a great project! As far as certifying the individual or the company, my feeling is it will require both. Some prior credentials, such as the Microsoft SBSC, should be required if we are talking only about small businesses. The other major issues center around anti virus and backups, so some credentials from a major vendor in these areas should also play a part. Another thought would be that the consultant be bondable or complete a background check. Recertifying should require maintaining these requirements plus some kind of continuing education - maybe where you would need x number of CEU's per year. Posted by Joe Senick of Senick Consulting, LLC at 10:09am