Editorial programme

Upcoming features

Responses to our forward features should be submitted to the editor by the deadline shown. Submissions must be attributed to a spokesperson and we advise that the below synopses and questions are just a starting point – the final direction of every feature will be guided by the input we receive.

As such, it’s always worth sharing any additional thoughts that are relevant to the topic, but might not fit into any of the specific questions provided. Similarly, do not feel you must answer every question – pick and choose those that are relevant to you and your company.

All features will include thoughts from various stakeholders and are written by the Comms Business editorial team. As such, please do not send opinion pieces in response to our forward features as they are unlikely to be used.

Editorial input is considered based on the merit of the submission alone and is independent of all advertising or event spend with Comms Business or any of its related publications. This is not negotiable.

Further information on how to get your stories featured in Comms Business can be found here.

Please do get in touch with any questions.

February 2022

Submit to: charlotte.hathway@markallengroup.com
Deadline: 16:00 GMT Friday 7th January 2022

Apprenticeships: Bringing new blood to the Channel

Long-term success in the Channel rests on nurturing the next generation of leaders. Apprenticeships are emerging as one way to bring in new talent and shape their development so future leaders develop the skills they will need. This feature will examine why apprenticeships might be a good option for channel companies, how to develop a great apprenticeship programme.

We will ask:

  • Why might a company consider developing an apprenticeship programme?
  • How should a company go about developing the programme?
  • Are there any organisations that can assist channel companies with setting these up? What support is provided?
  • Any case studies of successful apprenticeship programmes run by channel companies. Comments from existing or previous apprentices would be great too.

Marketplaces: Disruption and opportunity

The popularity of online marketplaces has soared throughout the pandemic and, whilst the Channel is no stranger to e-commerce, the growth of marketplaces over the past few years has been a source of concern for some partners. We will discuss the impact of marketplaces and their place in the channel ecosystem.

We will ask:

  • What risks and opportunities do marketplaces present for the Channel?
  • Will partners need to adjust their business models if they bring marketplaces into their offerings? How?
  • Where do add-on services fit into a marketplace-first strategy?
  • Can partners still have long-term success without getting involved in marketplaces? If so, what do they need to change to remain competitive?

Vertical: Healthcare

This feature will examine the opportunities, challenges and market movements that are impacting partners selling into the healthcare sector. We are looking for insight from vendors, distributors and partners that sell technologies and products to the NHS and private healthcare businesses.

We will ask:

  • What technologies are in demand in the health sector?
  • Are there any technologies that aren’t currently in demand, but you expect healthcare organisations to require in the near future?
  • Has the pandemic changed purchasing habits in this sector? If so, will those changes be permanent?
  • For vendors: Have you seen any partners creatively tailor a product specifically for healthcare customers?
  • Case studies of projects involving a reseller or MSP and a healthcare customer.

2022 features, supplements and focus months

 

Month Market report #1 Market report #2 Market report #3 Supplement
January Selling in 2022 Adding to your portfolio Mental health
February Apprenticeships: Bringing new blood to the Channel Marketplaces: Disruption and opportunity Vertical: Healthcare
March Channel Live Preview Project Gigabit: One year since the launch Creating value: Tackling threats to the Channel ecosystem Channel Profiles
April MSPs Vertical: Finance and banking Mobile World Congress review
May Cloud ESG: The blueprint for Channel success? Data and analytics
June Building powerful partnerships Cybersecurity Vertical: Leisure and entertainment IP Telephony Guide
July Adding value with Microsoft SD-WAN Hardware and its place in the Channel ecosystem
August Master agents: The right fit for the UK? Developing a compelling mobile offering Learning and development
September UC and collaboration APIs Vertical: Education The road to full-fibre
October The future of telephony Billing and monetisation solutions Distributors
November IoT Call and contact centres Vertical: Transport and logistics
December Preview of 2023 5G Corporate finance: mergers, acquisitions and raising finance


Articles in red are FOCUS MONTHS where subjects are also expanded by content and advertising on digital weekly newsletters (x 4 to 16,000+ recipients) and news stories on Comms Business website over the whole month. Extra content allows for extra exposure and involvement with these and extra digital activities to enable lead generation are at a cost. For more information please contact mat.swift@markallengroup.com or call 07919 177099, or moh.lalani@markallengroup.com or call 07766 081822.