This year’s second annual D&H technology show and fun fair event left partners with a message of staying optimistic despite today’s changing and challenging economy.
By Maxine Cheung of Computer Dealer News
Welcoming and encouraging partners
Distributor D&H Canada held its second annual technology show and fun fair event in Markham, Ont. recently.
This year’s show saw over 300 reseller partners, and also some new vendors in attendance.
Michael Schwab, co-president of D&H Distributing, advised partners not to wait for the economy to “turn around,” and instead, encouraged partners to stay focused, optimistic and innovative in today’s economy.
Growing your business
Presentations were given throughout the day on behalf of D&H Canada manufacturer partners such as Cisco, HP and Microsoft.
Partners were coached on things such as how to “grow your business with Cisco Small Business PRO solutions,” using HP computing solutions, and were also educated on Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 7 release.
Interacting with peers
Greg Tobin, general manager of D&H Canada, said each reseller, regardless of size, has access to a dedicated sales representative.
In addition to providing sales help, Tobin also said the company is continuously working to expand credit offerings and is constantly ensuring that product inventory is available.
The company is committed to helping the partner community succeed and is always ready to go “above and beyond customer care and service” expectations, Schwab added.
Listening to partners
During Schwab’s keynote speech titled, “Opportunities in a changing economy,” he advised partners to use social networking Web sites to help promote themselves and their businesses.
“I urge you to get customer feedback posted (on social networking sites) to get the information out there,” he said.
He also noted that this is an inexpensive way for partners to market themselves.
Activity on the floor
The biggest opportunity for channel partners right now is in the mini notebook space, Schwab said.
Because mini notebook prices are decreasing, Schwab said partners can also take advantage of selling ultra-low-voltage notebooks.
These notebooks often offer bigger screen sizes and more features than netbooks, he added.
Preparing for Windows 7
Tobin said D&H Canada, which just completed the end of the first quarter in its third year, has already seen tremendous growth.
“In year two, we saw 212 per cent growth and we’re planning on growth of approximately 45 per cent for the full year,” he said. “We’re ahead of that growth curve at about 56 per cent growth.”
All eyes on me
Tobin said there are a little more than 2,000 reseller partners that actively do business with D&H Canada.
“Our strategy for the Canadian market is we want to make sure we remain true to our customer, the SMB,” Tobin said. “That will always be within our DNA.”
Eat up!
Once the presentations were finished and attendees had a chance to walk the show room floor, guests were treated to a buffet dinner.
For more coverage from the D&H Canada technology show and fun fair event, please visit: CDN news
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