Changes in Softline Pastel's strategy, such as the increase of transparency and the sharing of information, is all for the greater good of the entire Softline Pastel channel as a whole, said Softline Pastel MD, Steven Cohen.
At the Softline Pastel channel award evening, held at Summer Place, in Johannesburg, Cohen, along with sales director Darryl Blundell, spoke briefly about some strategic changes the company is in the process of implementing.
The company is placing a focus on acquiring new clients, Blundell said, but the retention of current clients also remains a high priority. The company will continue to “fish where the fishes are”.
Another change on the cards is the increase of information flow from Softline Pastel regarding the state of the industry, as well as the progress and growth of all channel partners throughout the channel.
Cohen said this will assist channel partners to measure and benchmark themselves against each other and assist in creating drive and competition. “By sharing this information, which we have never done before, we believe we will enable our channel partners to find lots of potential revenue.”
On the eve of the company's 20th birthday, it is also launching a new training school for channel and reseller partners. “This new school will not be a normal placing agency only. We will also train partners in every aspect of the product portfolio. This is very important for our business strategy and means more than just the money it will bring in,” Cohen said.
Ivan Epstein, CEO of the Sage group, noted that Sofline's growth is the highest within the group. “Softline exceeded our expectations, and September 2008 was recorded as the highest turnover for the company's history.”
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