Tom O’Hagan, Managing Director at Virtual1, explained the drive behind the launch of the programme. “The Channel has seen a huge amount of change, even in just the last 12 months, and our Partners are looking to us for guidance and support more than ever. We wanted to create an Accreditation Programme that would allow us to continue to treat Partners as individuals, and that would give them support the support they needed, when they needed it most.
“This programme has been designed in consultation with several of our Partners, who have advised on what would really help their business, and I believe it will genuinely provide every one of our Partners with the tools they need to win and retain more business successfully.”
Three entry levels – Accredited, Advanced and Elite – mean that the central benefits of the programme, specifically the training and support materials, can be accessed by all Partners, regardless of size.
O’Hagan went on to explain the significance of the Programme: “This Programme is very important to me and to the whole Virtual1 team. Ensuring that we are a company with which it is easy to do business, that provides the right support for its Partners, that answers their needs and makes their businesses more successful – that is what Virtual1 is about, and this Accreditation Programme underpins everything that we stand for as a company.”
The launch took place at the Investec Spring Derby, where Virtual1 were joined in their private box by some of the leading names in the Channel. As well as sales and product training, the Accreditation Programme will offer Partners access to dedicated resources, including service management and pre-sales; business development and marketing support; and invitations to a series of networking and hospitality events to be held by Virtual1 over the coming year.
O’Hagan concluded “I am delighted to be launching the Accreditation Programme to our Partners and look forward to finding new ways to add value and advantage to those businesses in the Channel who choose to work with Virtual1.”