238 – The New Era of Chief Partner Officer: Innovation, and Driving Success

Janet Schijns, CEO of JSG, Joins Ultimate Partner®

Today, we’re joined by Channel Legend, Janet Schijns Co Founder and CEO of JS Group. Join us as we dive deep into the evolving landscape of partnerships and leadership in the tech industry. In this episode, we explore a wide array of topics, from the potential pitfalls in e-commerce management to the changing roles of CEOs and CIOs in the age of cloud tech.

Janet Schijns is a dedicated and strategic leader known for her protective and defensive approach in supporting business partners. She keenly understands the delicate balance between shielding partners from disruptive market noise and ensuring management remains receptive to critical feedback. Her leadership focus aims to prevent any slowdowns in partner sales momentum, while also fostering transparent communication channels within the organization.

We’ll unpack the complexities of modern partner ecosystems and the rise of new marketplace dynamics, emphasizing the critical importance of Chief Partner Officers (CPOs) and why they could be the most sought-after CEOs of the future. Janet and Vince will also highlight how companies like Vodafone and Infosys are making substantial commitments to tech giants like Microsoft, and discuss the nervousness surrounding traditional distribution channels amidst these shifts.

Moreover, you’ll hear insightful predictions about the future of marketplaces, how generative AI is reshaping repetitive business tasks, and why an inclusive partner strategy is paramount. We’ll also delve into the economic uncertainties we face, the booming investment in cloud infrastructure, and the critical role of alliance managers in navigating these new terrains.Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a business leader, or someone interested in the future of partnerships, this episode is packed with valuable insights. So, tune in as we explore how to stay ahead in a constantly evolving business landscape and why the next big CEO might just come from the CPO ranks. 

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

00:00 – Introduction 

00:00 – Overprotection hindered feedback; significant channel change.

04:17-  Decreased customer interaction with salespeople in purchases.

07:20 – Outdated training, needed skills lacking, partner-focused.

10:51 – Ultimate partner summit: engage, learn, achieve, innovate.

15:02 – Advising boards on market strategy topics.

17:32 – C-suite struggles relinquishing control over channels.

21:18 – AWS became 5th largest distributor with $1B+ clients.

24:12 – Thrilled to announce partnership with Impartner.

26:18 – Power is crucial due to Gen AI compute.

29:21 – Failure prompts crisis responses; opportunity prompts growth planning.

34:08 –  Firms investing in marketing achieve higher growth.36:11 – Join UPX for exclusive insights and community.

https://youtu.be/W63c9MbK4X8?si=XqC0t-JuQlvYYQ9t

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Ultimate Partner LIVE – Executive Summit ’24 – Join Us! Don’t Miss Out – Sign Up Today!

I’m thrilled with the lineup for Ultimate Partner LIVE ’24 Executive Summit in Dallas, TX, on October 22nd and 23rd!

This year’s summit promises to be bigger and better. It will be an immersive experience bringing together over 300+ partners across ISVs, LSPs, and SIs. Join us for two days of insightful discussions, hands-on workshops, and unparalleled networking opportunities with industry leaders and