With more than 90,000 different government organizations included within the SLED (state, local, education) market, including more than 36,000 cities/towns/municipalities, more than 12,000 public school systems, and more than 2,000 higher education institutions, there are immeasurable opportunities for partners to introduce new and valuable technological solutions. Navigating this complex market, however, can be challenging, especially when it comes to identifying the right contacts and leveraging the vast array of available resources. That’s where the TD SYNNEX Cisco SLED Accelerator program comes in—offering partners a streamlined path to success through targeted guidance, relationship-building, and access to essential tools.
Empowering Partners Through the SLED Accelerator Program
Partners in the SLED market often report their biggest challenge is knowing who to talk to at Cisco. The TD SYNNEX Cisco SLED Accelerator, an invite-only program led by industry experts Bridget Hobbs and Cam Geelan, Strategic Business Managers, Cisco SLED Accelerator, has two main areas of focus: aiming to be a consistent point of contact, connecting robust partners with Cisco sellers to collaborate and pursue deals together and providing guidance and introducing partners to resources (people, tools, and business information) that will allow partners to rapidly ramp up their SLED sales.
“Our goal is to be the consistent point of contact for partners in the SLED space, connecting them with Cisco sellers to collaborate and pursue deals together,” explains Geelan. The program starts by assessing partners’ capabilities and needs, then equips them with the necessary resources and tools to succeed. Business intelligence tools within the program allow partners to uncover specific opportunities and target them effectively.
Meet the Leaders Behind the SLED Accelerator Program
The success of the TD SYNNEX Cisco SLED Accelerator program is rooted in the expertise of its leaders. Bridget Hobbs has been a key member of the TD SYNNEX Cisco team for over six years, with the last two and a half focused on the SLED vertical. Her deep understanding of this sector has made her instrumental in helping partners increase their SLED bookings.
Cam Geelan, who recently joined the SLED team, brings more eight years of experience as a Cisco partner-facing professional. His career began by supporting distribution and legacy Comstor Commercial partners, and he has since guided partners through the complexities of the Cisco ecosystem across various segments.
Hobbs and Geelan are deeply committed to helping partners thrive in the challenging SLED market. “SLED brings its own set of challenges, and I am excited to assist partners in their Accelerator journeys in our ever-evolving program,” Geelan shares.
Outside of work, Hobbs enjoys hiking in Seattle’s scenic areas, participating in Mini Cooper road rallies, and attending classic car shows with her sons.
Building Strong Relationships and Regular Engagement
The SLED Accelerator program is built on a foundation of strong relationships and regular engagement. Hobbs emphasized that partners in the program can expect frequent interactions, including facetime with key Cisco stakeholders, opportunities to connect with essential resources, and invitations to meet with Cisco executives. This ongoing engagement is the cornerstone of the program, helping partners develop the relationships necessary for success in the SLED market.
As part of the program’s process, Geelan shares, “We begin with an inventory of the partners’ capabilities and needs. From there, we enable them in the most relevant areas, leveraging business intelligence and analysis tools to uncover opportunities. The program then orchestrates collaborative efforts with Cisco and applies marketing resources to support and reinforce the partners’ growth in SLED territory sales. Every activity in the program is designed to achieve this common goal.”
Success Stories
The impact of the TD SYNNEX Cisco SLED Accelerator program is evident in the success stories of the partners involved in it. Those who actively engaged with the program and applied their newfound knowledge saw a remarkable 321 percent growth in overall SLED bookings for Q3 Year-over-Year. Notable examples include a $500,000 Meraki Networking deal for a new middle and elementary school and a $1.2 million Meraki Networking deal for a prison in the Southeastern U.S.
Join the Journey Toward SLED Market Success
The TD SYNNEX Cisco SLED Accelerator program, led by Hobbs and Geelan, is a transformative initiative designed to empower TD SYNNEX partners in the SLED market. By fostering strong relationships with Cisco, providing essential resources, and addressing the unique challenges of the SLED market, the program is poised to drive significant growth and success for its partners.
Now is the perfect time to embrace the opportunity to accelerate your SLED territory sales. Stay informed about future developments and expansions by engaging with the TD SYNNEX Cisco SLED Accelerator program’s ongoing initiatives. Eligibility to participate in the SLED Accelerator can be determined through consultation with TD SYNNEX representatives—don’t miss out on the chance to elevate your business in the SLED market.
Learn more about individual eligibility here.
