Ahead of the 2023 CRN Sales and Marketing Awards tonight, 29 June, CRN (The Channel Company) interviewed Core Marketing Director, Katie Sloan, about why the awards matter and what winning would mean to Core. Here’s what Katie had to say...
Why do you think awards like the SMAs matter? What would winning this award mean to your company?
The CRN SMAs are important to Core as they bring recognition and credibility to our hard-working teams within the IT channel; and help signify that Core has achieved excellence that is acknowledged by industry experts. This recognition can enhance our reputation, as well as increasing visibility and helping give us differentiation in a crowded and competitive market. Winning would serve as a validation of our unique strengths, innovative solutions, and exceptional performance – and we would be thrilled to see that for our deserving #OneCore team! We also love the opportunity to network with our industry peers, and celebrate our hard work at a really fun, well-organised event.
What would you say is your company’s proudest achievement over the past year?
Core has been delighted to experience over 35% organic growth in 2022, which is an incredible achievement in a turbulent market and challenging economy. This has led to increased awareness and interest in Core, which is something we’re very proud of as it helps us attract more wonderful customers and potential investors. We were delighted to be hand-selected by Microsoft for a few programs including Viva Standardised Pilot and Do More with Less, which only a handful of partners in the UK were invited to co-launch. We were also pleased to launch our sustainability initiative in 2022, including carbon reduction initiatives and our tree-planting program to offset carbon usage of our employees.
What have been the biggest challenges of 2023 so far and how have you overcome them? How have your people helped with that?
The market in 2023 has more businesses concerned about risk of a recession, high inflation, and issues relating to the workforce. Fortunately, we are still growing, but we have noticed a change in our customers as well as our main supplier, Microsoft, where budget cuts have certainly had an impact, globally. On a positive note, Microsoft has invited Core to work with them more closely to launch new programs to address these challenges.
One of Core’s greatest strengths is our people and culture, and our #OneCore value that helps everyone work together to innovate and support our customers with new solutions, services, and propositions, even in challenging times. Our ‘Do More with Less’ campaign, in partnership with Microsoft, was a team effort in response to those challenges in the market.
How do you think the channel has changed over the past year and what changes do you think it still needs to make?
Core has been delighted to experience over 35% organic growth in 2022, which is an incredible achievement in a turbulent market and challenging economy. This has led to increased awareness and interest in Core, which is something we’re very proud of as it helps us attract more wonderful customers and potential investors. We were delighted to be hand-selected by Microsoft for a few programs including Viva Standardised Pilot and Do More with Less, which only a handful of partners in the UK were invited to co-launch. We were also pleased to launch our sustainability initiative in 2022, including carbon reduction initiatives and our tree-planting program to offset carbon usage of our employees.
What do you see as the main opportunities for the channel in the coming year? How do you plan to capitalise on those opportunities
Cyber security will remain a key priority for all businesses as the threat landscape increases exponentially with further introduction of AI into business practices. We believe businesses who can improve productivity and cost savings through enhanced managed services, innovative cloud projects and by embracing AI – through the likes of Microsoft Copilot – will do well, capitalising on the demands of the market.
Core is shortlisted as a finalist for five awards in the Reseller category, including Best Company to Work For, Best Sales Team, Best Marketing Campaign, Best New Business Win and the Over & Above Achievement Award for which the Core Marketing Team was shortlisted. Winners will be announced at the black tie event on Thursday 29 June. Stay tuned on Core’s Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn pages for updates!