Q.
What are the PartnerWorld Industry Networks?
A. The PartnerWorld Industry Networks offer a rich set of marketing, sales, and technical benefits to all members of PartnerWorld who want to more effectively go to market with IBM, optimized by the industries you target. Whether you serve a single industry or multiple industries, whether you serve small companies or large enterprises, IBM has the technology and resources to help you more effectively meet your clients' needs and grow your business.
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Q.
What changes have recently occurred within the industry networks?
A. All members of PartnerWorld now have access to an expanded portfolio of benefits to help you market and sell your solutions, and collaborate with other Business Partners in your industry. You also may now select as many industries of interest as you like; however, we do encourage you to select only the key industries that you serve in order to help us better meet your needs and those of your clients'.
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What PartnerWorld Industry Networks are currently available, and what if I focus on an industry that does not have a PartnerWorld Industry Network today?
A. PartnerWorld Industry Networks are currently available for these industries:
Additional networks are considered for industries that have major markets and appropriate customer demand. Let us know if you would be interested in participating in an industry network for any other industries so that as we continue to expand the PartnerWorld Industry Networks, we may contact you.
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What benefits do the PartnerWorld Industry Networks provide?
A. PartnerWorld Industry Networks leverage IBM competitive advantages to provide five types of industry-focused benefits to help you:
Marketing
Utilize marketing benefits tailored to help you identify opportunities, create awareness, and generate new customer opportunities with resources and support provided throughout the marketing cycle. For example, use the IBM Business Partner Application Showcase to generate leads.
Selling
Progress and close your transactions faster. Leverage resources, such as the client events package and IBM Sales Connections, a consultative service designed to connect with you the right IBM sales representative or Business Partner to close opportunities more quickly.
Technical
Access the help you need to build and deploy solutions. Use the Virtual Innovation Center to access a complete set of technical support resources. Key resources include product guides, online courseware, chat and e-mail support, and access to advanced support with architectural engagements and IBM Innovation Centers. New virtual resource managers are now available to guide your technical project definition and execution.
Training
Build your skills using an extensive set of learning tools. Through the Virtual Innovation Center access a personalized education portal with award-winning sales and technical courseware. You can get just-in time information or develop a personalized skills plan that links you to virtual and in-person educational opportunities.
Collaboration
Connect with IBM sales representatives and industry experts and network with your peers. Make valuable business contacts through both in person and online collaboration tools, such as connection events.
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Who can participate in the PartnerWorld Industry Networks?
A. Industry networks benefits are available to all IBM Business Partners.
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How can I access industry networks benefits?
A. For you to access industry networks benefits, your company must be registered in PartnerWorld. To access the benefits on the Web site, you must be listed as a contact in your company's PartnerWorld profile, and you must have an IBM ID to sign in. After signing in, you will have access to all benefits corresponding to your company's membership status. View all industry networks benefits by participation level.
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Q.
What is the importance of becoming Advanced?
A. As an IBM Advanced Business Partner, you are recognized for your investment, skills, and commitment to leading with IBM with significantly enhanced sales and marketing benefits that can directly affect your bottom line. Advanced level membership helps you become an integral part of IBM marketing efforts, generating exposure with clients, other IBM Business Partners and the IBM sales force.
Take advantage of the wealth of IBM resources available to help you market and sell your solutions, such as lead generation tools to create interest and selling resources that help you progress and close your opportunities faster.
Learn how to become a PartnerWorld Advanced level Business Partner.
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Q.
What if I am a Business Partner who does not focus on specific vertical markets?
A. You can still benefit from participating in the industry networks. Clients demand industry knowledge and capabilities from all their IT suppliers. The industry networks allow all Business Partners to maximize their relationship with IBM to generate more business in their highest priority markets around the world.
The PartnerWorld Industry Networks provide resources to help all Business Partners stay current on the latest industry trends and customer issues, build industry solutions, and connect with IBM industry sales and marketing teams and networks of Business Partners to close deals in the markets you serve worldwide.
You can also earn incremental benefits through solution specialties and targeted initiatives for areas, such as service-oriented architecture (SOA) and Software as a Service (SaaS). These initiatives center on solution areas and emerging technologies and offer participating Business Partners access to the comprehensive set of industry networks benefits and resources.
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What is the relationship between PartnerWorld Industry Networks and PartnerWorld?
A. PartnerWorld Industry Networks is a part of the PartnerWorld program where incremental sales and marketing resources are available to help you achieve success in the markets you serve worldwide.
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How do PartnerWorld Industry Networks compare to the programs and benefits of other major vendors?
A. No other company matches what IBM provides: a wealth of valuable benefits to help accelerate your success throughout your business cycle — from identifying market opportunities and building your skills and applications, to marketing and selling industry solutions to your clients.
IBM benefits are based on feedback from Business Partners around the world and have been customized to fit your needs. Being an IBM Business Partner also gives you access to IBM open and market-leading technologies, which provide you with the flexibility and performance you need to satisfy your clients.
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Q.
How do I list my solutions in the IBM Business Partner Application Showcase?
A. The IBM Business Partner Application Showcase is open to Advanced and Premier members of PartnerWorld. Business Partners who have earned industry-optimized benefits in the PartnerWorld Industry Networks are also eligible to include sales collateral and product demos in their solutions listings.
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How do I optimize my solutions and receive industry-optimized benefits?
A. Advanced and Premier members of PartnerWorld have the opportunity to qualify for industry-optimized benefits by demonstrating further expertise with IBM products and services.
Upon verification, you can access a special set of benefits that allow you to participate in joint marketing and sales activities with IBM. To qualify for industry-optimized benefits, you must meet specific criteria including achieving or maintaining PartnerWorld Advanced level membership status or higher. Member level Business Partners can also use this process to qualify for Advanced level membership.
If you have previously qualified for industry-optimized benefits, you must re-qualify every two years by renewing their criteria.
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Where can I go to get help or learn more?
A. The PartnerWorld Industry Networks can be found at: ibm.com/partnerworld/industrynetworks. There you will find resources and support in the "We're here to help" section to receive quick answers to your questions.
You can also subscribe to our industry networks RSS news feed to stay up-to-date with new and updated industry networks Web content and know when new benefits, special offers, and podcasts are available.
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