Frequently Asked Questions - All FAQs

The Channel Focus Community is a great place to engage with other like-minded individuals, share best practices, discuss the issues that keep you up at night, and more.  With over 6,000 members, it's no wonder why we are the world's largest and most successful community for professionals in the IT and Telecom industries. 

You can still explore the community without joining.  But if you want to post to the site, download documents, create a blog, or take advantage of a number of other resources you'll need to sign up.  Don't worry!  It's quick and easy.

Nothing - it's free!  

Joining the community is quick and easy.  

1. Click REGISTER in the upper right-hand corner of your screen.

2. Follow the instructions and fill out the required information.

3. Check the box that says, "I have read and agree to these terms and conditions."

That's it!  You are now a registered user of the community.  Within 24 hours you will receive your approval to be a Member or Elite Member.

Don't worry!  Although it is very uncommon, once in a while it may take more than one business day to be approved.  If you have not received approval, please send our Community Manager a quick message here.

As a Member of the community you can:

An Elite Member has all of the Member benefits plus:

1. Make sure you are logged in to the community.

2. In the upper right-hand corner of your screen you should see PROFILE and LOGOUT.  Click on PROFILE.

3. Scroll down until you see EDIT PROFILE and click it.

4. Under the INFORMATION tab and before the General Information area, you will see what type of member you are (i.e.: "You are currently using the default profile type.  If you want to upgrade your profile click here."

5. Click on CLICK HERE and fill out the required information.

6.  You will receive a confirmation once your Elite Member request is processed and approved.

1. Make sure you are logged in to the community.

2. In the upper right-hand corner of your screen you should see PROFILE and LOGOUT.  Click on PROFILE.

3. Scroll down until you see EDIT PROFILE and click it.

4.  There are two tabs: INFORMATION and ACCOUNT.  Click on ACCOUNT.

5.  Update your password, confirm, and click SAVE CHANGES.

No problem!  Follow these few steps and your profile will be updated within the community.

1. Make sure you are logged in to the community.

2. In the upper right-hand corner of your screen you should see PROFILE and LOGOUT.  Click on PROFILE.

3. Scroll down until you see EDIT PROFILE and click it.

4.  There are two tabs: INFORMATION and ACCOUNT.  Click on INFORMATION.

5.  Update your information and click SAVE CHANGES.

6.  You can also change your account settings (username, email, password) by clicking ACCOUNT.  Remember to click SAVE CHANGES when you are done.

1. Make sure you are logged in to the community.

2. In the upper right-hand corner of your screen you should see PROFILE and LOGOUT.  Click on PROFILE.

3. Scroll down until you see EDIT PROFILE and click it.

4.  There are two tabs below the EDIT PROFILE heading: INFORMATION and ACCOUNT.  To add or edit information in your profile click on INFORMATION.  To change your username, email address, or password, click ACCOUNT.

5.  Above the heading you will see a navigation bar with Change Avatar (profile picture), Select Profile Video, EDIT PROFILE, Preferences, and Notifications.  From this bar you can change your profile picture, select a profile video, edit privacy settings and preferences, and view recent notifications.

6. Update your information and click SAVE CHANGES.

7. You can also change your account settings (username, email, password) by clicking ACCOUNT.  Remember to click SAVE CHANGES when you are done.

To change your PROFILE PICTURE:

1. Make sure you are logged in to the community.

2. In the upper right-hand corner of your screen you should see PROFILE and LOGOUT.  Click on PROFILE.

3. Hover your cursor over your profile picture.  A camera should appear.  Click on the camera.

4. Upload your new profile picture and crop it.

5. Click SAVE THUMBNAIL.

To change your COVER PHOTO:

1. Make sure you are logged in to the community.

2. In the upper right-hand corner of your screen you should see PROFILE and LOGOUT.  Click on PROFILE.

3. In the upper right-hand corner of the cover photo you will see a watermarked gear.  Click on the gear.

4. Click on MODIFY COVER.

5.  Click on UPLOAD PHOTO.

6. You may have to reposition the cover photo.  To reposition it, click on the watermarked gear and select REPOSITION COVER.  

7. Move the image as desired.

8. Click SAVE.

Getting around the community is easy.  

SEARCHING: If you are looking for a specific topic try searching for it first.

1. Make sure you are logged in to the community.

2. Locate the search bar in the upper right-hand corner of the page.

3. Type in a question, keyword, or topic and click the magnifying glass to search.

BROWSING: If you would just like to browse through the community and available topics you can navigate around the community from the main navigarion bar.

EVENTS
Stay up-to-date with trending topics with our online and in-person events. Take a look at and register for our upcoming webinars, roadshows, or conferences.

RESOURCES
Content Library - Download from a growing body of best practice resources - whitepapers, documents, infographics, webinar replays and more by leading experts and fellow community members.

COMMUNITY GROUPS
Access and join various groups, read group blogs, download assets, and network with other like-minded individuals.

SUPPLIER DIRECTORY
Good partners are hard to come by.  Check out our robust Supplier Directory and research and learn about products, services, and solutions that are important to your business. Search by name, keyword, or topic or browse through the categories.

HOT TOPICS
Ask questions, post comments share advice and information to get feedback from your fellow community members.

BLOGS
Read through community members' and industry experts' blogs to keep abreast of the latest trends in the industry.  Continue the conversation... commenting on blogs is encouraged!

ELITE MEMBERS
If you are an Elite Member, you can access this area of the community to read super content, register for events earlier, download documents first, and Ask our Experts about the questions that keep you up at night.

1. Make sure you are logged in to the community

2. Go to the HOT TOPICS area.

3. Select a category.

4. Click on NEW TOPIC.

5. Enter a subject (title) and type your question in the message area.  

6.  Click PREVIEW to see how your post will look.  Click SUBMIT to submit your question.

1. Make sure you are logged in to the community.

2.  Click on BLOGS from the homepage.

3. Locate the blog navigation bar below and click on the pencil.

4. Enter a title for your blog.

5.  Don't forget to add a category (or two) and some tags on the right-hand side of the screen.

6.  When you are ready, simply click PUBLISH POST to submit your blog.  

7. Blogs are reviewed by the community management team and will be posted within 24 hours or approval.  If you have not received approval within two business days, please contact the community manager.

All blog posts are reviewed by the community management team and will be posted wihtin 24 hours or approval.  Still waiting for approval?  Email the community manager to find out the status of your blog.

We encourage commenting within the community since it keeps the conversation going.  

1. Make sure you are logged in to the community.

2. Find the blog, Hot Topic, etc. and scroll to the bottom of the post.

3.  You should see your profile picture, name, and a box to type your comment into.

4.  If you would like to subscribe to the post, check the box that says "Subsribe to this post."

5. Click SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT to post your comment.

We would love for you to become more involved in the community and there are several ways to do so.  If you would like to share your thought-leadership and expertise with the community members you can contribute by writing blogs, asking questions, and commenting for a start. If you are an expert in your field then you may consider presenting a webinar, writing a whitepaper, submitting infographics, or speaking at a conference.  No matter how you would like to contribute, we're glad you're here and can provide you with help and guidance along the way.  Learn more about contributing here.

Joining groups within the community enables you to collaborate online, ask questions, debate best practices, and share knowledge with like-minded community members.  Many groups also post valuable resources such as whitepapers, research studies, and infographics that are only accessible if you join the group.

1. Make sure you are logged in to the community.

2. Find a group that interests you under COMMUNITY GROUPS.

3. Click JOIN on the group cover photo.

4. You are now a member of that group.  

5. Feel free to join as many groups as you wish.

1. Make sure you are logged in to the community.

2. Click on the group under COMMUNITY GROUPS that you wish to leave.

3. In the upper right-hand corner of the group's cover photo there is a small watermarked gear.  Click it.

4. Select the option to LEAVE GROUP.

1. Click on EVENTS then WEBINARS from the main navigation bar on the homepage.

2. Selet the webinar you would like to know more about or register for.

3. You can add the webinar to your calendar by clicking ADD TO CALENDAR at the top of the page.

4. Check the box labelled ADD TO CART.

5. Click SELECT REGISTRATION OPTIONS AND CONTINUE.

6. Fill out the registration form.

7. Click REGISTER AND CONTINUE.

8. Click I ACCEPT THE TERMS OF SERVICE FOR THIS EVENT.

8. Click REGISTER AND CONTINUE.

9. You will receive a reminder email the day of the webinar.  

Don't worry...  We've got you covered!

1. Make sure you are logged in to the community.

2. Look through the scrolling banner on the homepage and click on the webinar (replay) that you missed.

3. Enjoy the webinar.

We are always looking for industry experts to impart their knowledge through engaging and thought-provoking webinars.  If you are interested in presenting a webinar head on over to the Contributor's Corner and let us know.

Channel Focus North America with Latin America 2016 is the event for the technology industry that brings together the IT and telecom industries' most effective channel sales and marketing strategists.

Now in its 19th year, Channel Focus North America is recognized as the world’s number one event for Senior Executives Managing the Channel in the leading Companies in the IT/Telecom Industries. It is the conference that defines the strategies and tactics leading vendors are using to grow and develop their businesses.

Over the past 19 years, the conference has built a reputation for sourcing the finest speakers, talking about how they are combining radical new thinking and proven strategies to successfully open up new channels, and redefine existing, channel sales and marketing methods.

In April 2016 over 250 of the leading thinkers in the channel will gather in Hollywood at the event that brings together the IT and telecom industries' most effective channel sales and marketing strategists.

Channel Focus is the most important conference of its kind because it achieves two things: it is the forum that defines the future of the channels and it is also the forum where Channel leaders share actual programs they are using to drive their Channel success today!

If you are involved in any aspect of channel marketing and sales, channel development, marketing communications, or business strategy in North America - you should be there!

Channel Focus is the one place where you can get great ideas about multi-channel strategies and that you can apply to your own situation.

Conference attendees come from all over the technology and consumer products industry. Some are experts who attend to stay current on the latest trends and directions. Others are marketing and sales people interested in extending their programs into this region by learning from the experts. These attendees, plus the speakers and workshop leaders who usually stay and participate in the entire conference, make for a powerful interactive experience!

At Channel Focus you'll learn the strategies and tactics leading companies are using to grow their market share.

At Channel Focus you'll gain invaluable insights into the very latest thinking on the channel.

At Channel Focus, the most knowledgeable experts from the leading computer related hardware, software, peripherals, telecoms and services vendors will share with you how they drive business through a variety of established and emerging indirect and direct channels.

But probably most important of all, as a Channel Focus attendee you'll take away real strategies and tactics that you can build into your programs to increase your sales and improve the focus and effectiveness of your channel partners.

Industry Updates
You'll get the latest quantitative data on buyer behaviors, what products are flowing through which channels, emerging and declining categories, where they're headed for the future, and what that means to you.

Strategic Channel Marketing Presentations
Speakers will present on key issues like the impact of today's economy on direct and indirect channels, new routes to market, multi-channel strategies and suggest how you can adapt your activities to capitalise on the opportunities discussed.

Best Practice Presentations
These are very specific presentations on real world channel strategies that have actually worked, presented by the people who have actually made them work - not just in technology but from other industries we can all learn from. You'll take away dozens of ideas that you can immediately apply to your own situation.

Tactical Presentations
These presentations focus on how to do and how to improve fundamental sales, marketing and operational activities like MDF and co-op, partner training, lead handling and more. You'll come away with checklists of do's and don'ts to implement or enhance these programs.

Conference Speakers
Channel Focus North America brings together the most knowledgeable executives from leading computer related hardware, software and peripherals vendors, channel partners and enterprise customers doing business in the US.

Together with speakers from outside the hi-tech industry they will share information and ideas about what they are doing that we can use. They'll also share with you how they drive business through distributors, retailers, VARs, direct, relationship and internet marketing.

Channel Focus North America brings together the most knowledgeable executives from leading computer related hardware, software and peripherals vendors, channel partners and enterprise customers doing business in the US.

Together with speakers from outside the hi-tech industry they will share information and ideas about what they are doing that we can use. They'll also share with you how they drive business through distributors, retailers, VARs, direct, relationship and internet marketing.

You can learn about the speakers here.

1. On the main navigation bar on the homepage click on EVENTS, then CONFERENCES, then CHANNEL FOCUS NORTH AMERICA 2016 EVENT or click here.

2. Click the button that says REGISTER NOW.

3. Review the registration options and select the one that best suits you.

4. Click SELECT REGISTRATION OPTIONS AND CONTINUE.

5.  If you have a discount code, you can enter it here.

6. Fill in the registration form and click REGISTER AND CONTINUE.

7. Select your payment option and click I ACCEPT THE TERMS OF SERVICE FOR THIS EVENT.

8. Click REGISTER AND CONTINUE.

9. If you are paying by invoice, please submit your payment within 14 days.  If you are paying by credit card, please enter your card information.

10.  Thats it!  We can't wait to see you at the conference!

Finding the right companies to partner with can be a difficult and arduous task.  The Channel Focus Community SUPPLIER DIRECTORY is a robust tool that simplifies finding and connecting with those companies.

What’s available?
The Supplier Directory includes key contact information for a company as well as videos, whitepapers, ratings/reviews, photos, and more, allowing you to see which suppliers offer the best solutions for your needs.  If you would like to connect with a company, you can do so through the Contact Business button on their listing.

How can you use the directory?
•  Search out companies whose products, services, or solutions are of interest to you.

•  Find companies that are compatible with what you are looking for.

•  Research and learn about their specific products, services and solutions.

•  Contact the companies that are a good fit.

•  Partner and grow with those companies.

•  Rate and/or review your new partner.

1. Make sure that you are logged in to the community.

2. Click on SUPPLIER DIRECTORY on the main navigation bar on the homepage.

3. Search for the company using the search bar.

4. Click on the company.

5. You will see a tab called REVIEWS.  Click it.

6. Click ADD REVIEW.

7. You can rate the company with stars - simply click on the desired number of stars.

8. Type in your name and company, email address, and a title for your review. 

9. Write your review.  Click SAVE REVIEW when finished.

The Supplier Directory is such a valuable resource and we can see why you would want to be a part of it.  If you would like to have your company listed, please contact Rod Baptie directly.