Julian Dent

Technology Distribution Channels (eBook, ePUB)

Understanding and Managing Channels to Market

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

Using numerous real-life examples from global technology corporations, and with a foreword from Tim Curran the Chief Executive Officer of the Global Technology Distribution Council, Technology Distribution Channels explores the chain that makes technology products and services available for market and explains how to make the most of each step of the process. By defining the role and significance of the various partners involved, including distributors, wholesalers and final-tier channel players, it provides a clear understanding of the entire go-to-market process, whilst also explaining channel partners' business models and how to engage with them for effective market access.

Technology Distribution Channels covers both the tactical and strategic dimensions of channel economics as well as containing information on accessing and servicing markets and customers, controlling brands, integrating web and online channels, building the value proposition and creating differentiation.

As the only approved text book for the Global Technology Distribution Council's Accreditations, Technology Distribution Channels contains expert guidance for both the Certificate and the Diploma programs.

Comprehensive and clear, Technology Distribution Channels provides readers with the knowledge needed to improve their business model to ensure maximum market exposure and successful product delivery.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Kogan Page
• Seitenzahl: 352
• Erscheinungstermin: 3. August 2014
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9780749472184
• Artikelnr.: 41838424

Autorenporträt

Julian Dent is Chairman of VIA International, a specialist routes-to-market consulting firm. He has over 25 years of experience in distribution throughout the world, specializing in channel strategy and implementation. His clients have included Barclays Bank, BP, IBM, Microsoft, Nokia, Subway and Xerox.

Inhaltsangabe

Foreword by Tim Curran
Preface
Acknowledgements
PART ONE Introduction
01 How to get the best out of this book
Who this book is for
What do we mean by business model?
How the book is set out
02 The business of getting technology products and services to market
Distribution matters
Challenging business dynamics
Business models are key to value propositions
A structured approach to positioning your value proposition
Be careful with comparisons
PART TWO Distributors and wholesalers
03 The role of the technology distributor
Distributors/wholesalers
Customer role - core functions
Supplier role
Vendor role - core functions
04 How the technology distributor business model works
Role defines business model
Profit is a very small number between two very big numbers
Managing working capital is a balancing act
The measures that matter and how to manage with them
05 Margins and profitability
Multiple margins
Gross margin and value add
Margin mix or blended margin
Contribution margin
Net margin and operating margin
06 Working capital
Working capital management
Vendor credit
Inventory
Customer credit
Working capital cycle
07 Productivity
Earn and turn
Contribution margin return on inventory investment
Returns on working capital
08 Sustainability
Sustainability - longer-term business health
Return on net assets and return on capital employed
Return on invested capital
Value creation
Managing value creation on an operational basis
09 Managing growth
Growth dynamics
Internally financed growth rate formula
Economies of scale - profitability
Economies of scale - working capital management
Risks of growth - diseconomies of scale
10 The technology distribution landscape
The global landscape
Special characteristics and capabilities
Recent trends and future outlook
11 How technology vendors can get the best from distribution
The engagement process
Managing the account relationship
Some rules of thumb for making compelling business cases
Summary
PART THREE Final-tier trade channel players
12 The roles of the final-tier trade channel players
The final-tier trade channel players
The possible roles of final-tier trade channel players
Matching channel roles to channel players
Different roles command different compensation models
Customer advocates and sell-with players
Sell-with players and strategic alliances
Applying this framework to your sector or channel
13 How the business model of the final-tier trade channel players works
Role defines business model
Services come from people, either directly or indirectly (eg web-delivered)
Managing a service business
The web-based service business model
Overview of service business model measures
14 Sales and utilization
Sales
Utilization
15 Gross margin and recoverability
Gross margin
Recoverability
Measures for the web-based service model
16 Working capital management
The cash-to-cash cycle
Improving working capital
17 Value creation and growth
Value creation and improving the numbers
Managing growth - the integrated product and service business model
18 How to sell to final-tier trade channel players
What we mean by selling to final-tier trade channel players
Segmenting the final-tier trade channel
What the final tier looks for in a vendor
What the final tier looks for in a distributor
Managing the account relationship
Some rules of thumb for making compelling business cases
Selling 'with' the final tier in an advocacy role
Conclusion
PART FOUR Retailers
19 The role of retailers
Retailers and retailing
Online retailing and catalogue
20 How the retail business model works
Role defines business model
Earn and turn
Layout and planogramming
Ranging and merchandising
21 The measures that matter and how to manage with them
Sales (or takings or revenues)
Margins
Direct product cost (DPC) and direct product profitability (DPP)
Turns and productivity
22 How to sell to retailers
What we mean by selling to retailers
The sales process
Retailer challenges and their implications for suppliers
Managing retail relationships at a strategic level
Managing retail relationships at a tactical level
Selling in to the retailer's buying cycle and open-to-buy
Should you deal with retailers direct or through a wholesaler?
Summary
Key ratios
Glossary of technical terms
Index