This document discusses why resellers and channel partners would be interested in joining an online community created by the organizations they work with. It notes that the community allows them to connect with senior executives and other resellers, access important information, track shipments, and provide feedback. The document also explains why organizations would want to set up these communities, such as to reach more resellers, create a sense of community, provide vision and direction, and exchange ideas. Finally, it outlines the key functionality resellers expect, like single sign-on, access to information, direct responses from company representatives, and ability to connect with and form groups of other members.

1. Reseller & Channel Communities 1o1
for Organizations
Jamshed Wadia
CorridorConversations.Com

2. Why would Resellers & Channel be Interested
in joining your Online Community
 It’s a sign of association with principal org
 Connect with senior execs of principal org
 Connect with other resellers & channel owners
 Community provides as a great source of Information
 Digital medium of ordering & tracking of shipments
 A good feedback mechanism to principal org on
product, services and channel policy
 To get support both pre & post sales

3. Why would organizations be keen on setting up
Online communities
 Reach out to more resellers & channel via online in a
well structured manner
 Create a sense of community among their partners
and make them true brand ambassadors
 Great medium to provide vision & direction
 Exchange ideas and get feedback from channel
customers
 Effective medium to distribute information

4. What do Resellers & Channel expect in terms
of functionality in Online Communities
 Single sign on community pages preferably using
their existing Social networking profiles
 No more restricted areas after one login
 Information that can be repurposed and easily
shareable if necessary
 Direct responses & conversations from org reps and
in some cases senior reps
 Ability to connect with other members but only who
they want to.
 Ability to form their own groups

5. Enterprise Community Components
 Personal channel profiles connected to master
profile by default
 Main feed page that aggregates other channel and
principal org’s feeds.
 Content Section or tabs on main page
 Pre Defined forum’s and discussion boards
 E commerce engine
 Polling Applications for quick feedback
 Share content functionalities