Developing a Reseller Strategy for WindStream, Leader in MicroWind
Anyone who’s ever used a reseller channel (dealers, retailers, VARs, distributors, mass merchandisers, etc.) knows that this whole approach to marketing and sales is the ultimate “double-edged sword.” The most obvious benefits include an enormous and more-or-less instant expansion of your sales force with very little overhead, and thus a huge amount of leverage in terms of reaching your target end-user customer segments. Where it would require eons for you to develop these relationships from scratch, resellers come with them neatly tucked into place.
The most obvious downside is lack of mind-share. These people don’t work for you; you cannot manage them directly, so if you don’t provide them adequate training – and, more importantly – incentive, you’re headed for certain failure. (more…)
It looks like I’ll be taking on some marketing responsibilities for my client WindStream, a start-up with a fabulous breakthrough in “microwind,” i.e., small, inexpensive, easily installed wind turbines. I certainly won’t be able to publish every aspect of the strategies I evolve for them, but I don’t think they’ll mind if I provide an example of my current thinking, so here goes:
It is not too difficult to convert your house in a solar-powered one. If you have made up your mind about installing solar energy panels, then the first place to start with would be to check your roof for inclinations. If your roof is not inclined or oriented to make optimal use of the sun’s rays then, the solar panels would have to be inclined and oriented accordingly. If your house does not receive a lot of sunlight for some part of the year, then the PV solar panels would have to be designed in a way that it provides you electricity throughout the year. 
