To get more from channel managers, companies should 1) prepare them for their complex role with product, market, sales, and partner enablement training, 2) provide productivity and effectiveness tools like quick scorecards and business planning tools, 3) develop business consulting tools to help managers become consultants who can summarize partner needs and goals and match them to resources and actions, and 4) align manager incentives with partner success metrics like sales, capabilities, profitability, planning, and satisfaction.