Channel Voices
Channel Voices is The Podcast for Future Channel Leaders, where we learn the ins and outs of partner ecosystems through casual conversations with channel professionals from a variety of industries, partner types and geographies.
Channel Voices
Sharpening Partner Skills For 2026 | Channel Chewsday
This Channel Chewsday, I bite into a topic suggested by our listener, Maria.
I explore how partner training evolves from long seminars to microlearning, AI personalisation, and simulation based practice.
I share a high-level roadmap for channel leaders to build motivation, track impact, and turn partners into trusted advisors in 2026 and beyond.
• Shifting from legacy sales tactics to continuous learning
• Adding soft skills alongside technical depth
• Adopting microlearning for recall and speed
• Using AI to tailor journeys to roles and gaps
• Boosting motivation with gamification and rewards
• Building hands-on confidence with labs and simulations
• Expanding enablement beyond training to coaching and content
• Tracking business impact over course completions
If you've got your own training success stories, challenges, or would like to suggest a topic for the next episode, reach out.
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Until next time 👋
Hello there and welcome back to Channel Tuesday. I'm your host Maciej, here to chew through the freshest channel topics in crisp, quick bites. Today we're diving into a subject suggested by Maria. Thank you Maria for getting in touch and hope that this short chew will help you in your current role. The topic that Maria suggested is around partner training and enablement. If you want your partners sharp, ready, and ahead of the game, this episode is for you. You know, with technology evolving so fast and buyer expectations rising, partners can't just rely on the same skills or old school sales tactics anymore. According to CRN's latest research, partners who commit to continuous learning close deals up to 30% faster and keep customers around longer. It's a clear edge in a crowded market. But what's really new in this space? Well, it's not just about technical know-how anymore. Some point out that the game has shifted. Today, partners need soft skills like consultative selling, digital fluency and customer success capabilities to truly stand out. So what does training look like in 2026? The big trend that's catching fire is microlearning. Instead of boring day-long seminars, partners now prefer bite-sized learning that fits between meetings or while waiting for a call. It's quick, targeted, and scientifically proven to help knowledge stick better. What's really interesting is how AI is stepping up to personalise the experience. Some vendors are investing heavily in AI-powered platforms that craft learning journeys tailored to each partner's role, skill gaps, and vertical market focus. This means no more one size fits all courses. Partners get exactly the training they need exactly when they need it. And here's a fun twist. Gamification is becoming a serious motivator. Imagine tying progress to badges, leaderboards and rewards. This sparks friendly competition and turns learning into a game. Channel pros are loving it and it's not just fluff. Companies report higher engagement and completion rates when they gamify their enablement programs. Beyond that, immersive scenario based learning is growing fast. Virtual labs, simulations, and real world problem solving are becoming fundamental. Partners get hands-on experience in safe environments, which means they can walk into a customer meeting confident and ready, not nervous and guessing. But training is just one piece of the puzzle. CRN stresses that enablement is broader. It's coaching, content sharing, and creating ecosystems where vendors, partners, and even customers collaborate. Tools that enable real-time feedback and social learning plus content optimised for mobile and social are no longer optional. They are must haves. Then there's the big question How do you know your training is paying off? We need to move beyond counting course completions. Instead, focus on business impact metrics. Are more partners getting certified and closing deals quicker? Is time to productivity shrinking? What's the feedback from partners about their confidence and readiness? Smart enablement programs track these closely, helping them pivot and improve continuously. So for channel leaders listening, here's what I would take away. Start by checking where your partners are today. What are their skill gaps, what training is available, and how engaging is it? Then lean into micro learning and AI personalisation. Add gamification to boost motivation, create immersive scenarios to build real world confidence, and ensure everything you do ties back to measurable business outcomes. Partner learning should be smart, efficient, and continuous. When you get this right, you empower your partners to become trusted advisors and growth engines for your business in 2026 and beyond. That's my chew for today. Maria, thanks again for suggesting the topic. If you've got your own training success stories, challenges, or questions, reach out. I'd love to share them in the future episodes. Thanks for listening and see you next Tuesday.
