On January 1, we launched our newly redesigned PartnerWorld program to help you, our IBM Business Partners, develop expertise and higher-value solutions that will help our joint clients disrupt their markets and lead in their industries.

This launch has transformed the way we work together—moving us from a product-centric model to one focused on Competencies, customer satisfaction and revenue—so we can better equip and empower you for the Cognitive Era, delivering on our promise at PartnerWorld Leadership Conference 2016.

Our redesigned PartnerWorld program is simplified and comprehensive, but it also offers more flexibility than ever before. You can achieve benefits through Competencies or by advancing to the next level in the program—it’s up to you. We want to help you drive revenue commensurate with your market, giving you multiple options based on your business model and the geographies and clients you serve. You can learn more about the new PartnerWorld program here.

Here are some key ways we are transforming the way we support and grow our partner ecosystem:

• We launched our new program with 36 initial Competencies to help you grow skills and validate your expertise. Of these, 13 cover technology and services within the IBM Cloud portfolio, spanning in-demand areas such as data, hybrid cloud and cognitive computing.
• We incorporated additional incentives for all the IBM Business Partners across IBM’s diverse ecosystem. This means that partners of all types—consultants and system integrators, cloud service providers, embedded solution providers, managed service providers, independent software vendors and resellers—can participate and reap benefits, regardless of business model. While the objectives are consistent across PartnerWorld, the achievement options, criteria and rewards are tailored to your specific business model, solution area and market opportunity.
• We’ve introduced four tiers of membership—Registered, Silver, Gold and Platinum—to reward and recognize your capabilities and sales success. As you advance to the next level, you receive additional benefits.

Through the new PartnerWorld program, we are set to revolutionize the way the entire industry approaches the channel business by increasing focus on capabilities and client prosperity. Learn more by visiting the PartnerWorld portal ibm.com/partnerworld/go