Finding Gavin Critchlow 20 years ago would have required a fast motorcycle, a passport, and the ability to navigate remote villages in South India. For the past decade, however, he has been easily accessible and much closer to home at TD SYNNEX. For the last five of those years, he has been part of the Product Business Manager team, focusing on Collaboration. While life may have calmed down a bit in some ways, Critchlow has not lost his spirit of adventure and wonder, but he is instead channeling those qualities and more into his team at TD SYNNEX.
On November 12, 2022, Critchlow celebrated his tenth anniversary at TD SYNNEX. With five years specifically dedicated to the PBM team focused on Cisco Collaboration, Gavin has witnessed the evolution, challenges, and exciting opportunities that have taken place since the introduction of architecture-specific programs. Despite the changes, “the spirit of who we are and what we represent remains the same,” Critchlow said. “I love this job, helping partners build a trajectory of growth with Cisco, informing them of our tools, training opportunities, and various resources, and supporting them through their journey.” One of the major qualities that he said sets his team apart is how they invest their money into opportunities that help them thrive. He explained, “We are more interested in future investments than winning competitive deals on the day-to-day. We are the distributor that resellers invest in for future gains.”
When he’s not immersed in the world of Cisco Collaboration, Critchlow occupies his time with several diverse hobbies and interests. Outside of his professional life, you might find him indulging in his love for both reading and writing fiction, working in the kitchen, where he shares a passion for cooking with his 11-year-old son, or just relishing time with friends. Critchlow also enjoys snowboarding the Rocky Mountains and the one month a year he gets to escape to Michigan.
In his role as a PBM, focused on Cisco Collaboration, Critchlow handles what he considers the “fun” architecture, involving meetings, messaging, and calling through the Webex Suite. Although it might seem biased, in his opinion, the Board Pro and Desk Pro devices offer an unparalleled meeting experience, unlike any other device available today. They truly enhance the Webex experience.
He takes great pride in helping partners navigate the world of Cisco Collaboration. When helping partners, Critchlow emphasized the importance of understanding each partner’s unique requirements and aligning them with the appropriate solutions. His first step is to identify if they are selling voice solutions. There is a relatively painless specialization process for Webex Calling, which is readily available through VoDs, and the exams come at an affordable cost of $80 per person. Once partners complete this process, they gain access to Webex Suite, where they can internally utilize the platform and offer 90-day trials to their customers. After this, Critchlow said it’s Contact Center, Advanced Collaboration, and other growth and training opportunities.
While specializing in Webex Calling is a great starting point, Critchlow encourages resellers, regardless of their Cisco registration status, to embrace device sales, especially those aligned with Microsoft. With the exceptional native Microsoft Teams experience offered by Cisco boards and peripheral devices, the potential for success is immense. For those who aren’t currently Cisco partners, Critchlow encouraged, “TD SYNNEX has a dedicated onboarding team that will guide you through the process, ensuring a smooth transition and ongoing support.”
Critchlow’s journey at TD SYNNEX has been marked by a passion for collaboration and a commitment to helping partners thrive in the world of Cisco. With a decade of experience under his belt and a focus on the future, he continues to drive innovation and growth for the PBM team. Beyond his professional endeavors, he finds joy in a diverse range of hobbies and interests, balancing adventure and relaxation. Critchlow and his dedicated team are always ready to guide partners through their journey, ensuring a seamless and supported transition into the world of Cisco Collaboration.
Partners looking to connect with Gavin and his team can email edgeprograms@tdsynnex.com or gavin.critchlow@tdsynnex.com.
