Channel Incentive Playbook

The partner and customer relationships your company manages through its distribution channel sales and marketing efforts are among the trickiest to establish and grow. In 30+ years of working with channel sales organizations, we’ve picked up a few ideas on how to optimize these relationships. This report attempts to synthesize and consolidate our insights, best practices and advice on strengthening channel sales relationships and achieving mutually beneficial results. We call it our "Channel Incentive Playbook".

Use the table of contents below to browse through the rich collection of proprietary research and observations we’ve included in the "Playbook".

	Introduction		Points-Based Incentive Programs
	Do Channel Incentive Programs Pay Off?		Point Program Participant Segments/Personas
	Channel Incentive Program Objectives and Applications		Incentive Program Study and Benchmarks
	Channel Incentive Program Application Examples		Incentive Program Performance Indicators
	The Psychology of Incentives and Motivation		Channel Incentive Program Best Practices
	Cash vs. Non-Cash Incentives		Program Considerations and Conclusions

Next: Introduction

01. Understanding Channel management Managing a winning channel incentive program is challenging and requires patience. Find out what the building blocks of a successful program are.

02. Do Channel Incentive Programs Pay Off? Learn how channel programs can help you make the most out of your partnerships and yield lucrative ROIs

03. Channel Incentive Program Objectives and Applications Learn how your program goals and objectives will define your program design and guide you along the way.

04. Channel Incentive Program Application Examples These case studies showcase how companies are successfully using channel incentive programs.

05. The Psychology of Incentives and Motivation Get to know your audience and how do you go about designing a program that speaks to participants’ values?

06. Cash vs. Non-Cash Incentives Cash always seems like an attractive reward. But does it carry the same long-lasting trophy value?

07. Points-Based Incentive Programs Why choose a points-based program? It allows for a flexible structure, and, most importantly, it is measurable.

08. Point Program Participant Segments / Personas After enrolling in a program, participants assume different personas. Explore the various persona types.

09. Incentive Program Study and Benchmarks Compare your initiative program with industry benchmarks.

10. Incentive Program Performance Indicators A look at channel incentive program KPIs and redemption rates.

11. Channel Incentive Program Best Practices A list of best practices that will aid you in launching and maintaining a successful program.

12. Program Considerations and Conclusions Before embarking on a program take these final considerations into account.