How to Win the SMB Market with Cisco Secure Networking

If you’ve ever run a 5K race, you know that the last mile often determines the winner. It’s all about timing: You have to choose your moment to accelerate the pace, pull away from the runners around you, and cross the finish line first.

Selling cybersecurity solutions is like running a 5K. You and dozens of other sellers are vying for position to win deals in the lucrative (and highly competitive) small and medium business (SMB) market. But as a Cisco partner, you’ve got a distinct advantage. And right now is your moment to kick into high gear, because Cisco is setting you up to win—with a superior product and fantastic incentives that your competition can’t match.

Are you ready to do this? I’m going to show you how to win the SMB market with Cisco Secure Networking solutions like Meraki MX.

Recognize SMBs’ unique security challenges

SMBs need much more from their security solutions than what they’re typically getting. In 2024, being “small” doesn’t mean you get to fly under the radar: 43 percent of cyber attacks now target SMBs. No wonder that cybersecurity is now the number-one priority for SMB IT teams, according to a TechValidate survey. Organizations need an advanced solution to stop sophisticated threats.

But that’s not their only requirement. An ideal security solution needs to be:

• Simple: Easy setup and intuitive operations are paramount, since SMB IT teams often have limited staff and resources.
• Scalable: Fast-growing SMBs need a flexible solution that can expand with their needs.
• Fast: Security can’t slow down network performance. SMBs need to keep office and remote workers productive to meet business goals.
• Cost-effective: SMBs with limited budgets need to do more with less. They need a solution that provides a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) over the long term.

The bar is so much higher now—and for the sellers pushing inferior security products, that reality is unwelcome news. But for Cisco partners like you, it’s something to embrace.

Lead with Meraki MX, a converged networking and security solution

With Cisco Secure Networking solutions like the cloud-delivered Meraki MX, you won’t just check every box—you’ll exceed customer expectations. Meraki integrates superior firewall security with the number-one SD-WAN networking solution. Let’s unpack why Meraki is the best-in-class converged solution with unmatched simplicity and performance:

• Superior malware protection: Cisco Meraki MX blocks 98 percent of malware threats, according to a 2023 Miercom performance evaluation. That’s 25 percent better than the industry average, and 2x more effective than many standalone solutions.
• Zero-touch deployment: Meraki MX is truly zero-touch, resulting in 30 percent faster firewall deployment.
• Best network visibility: Meraki offers the best network visibility and recognizes approximately 6,000 applications—27 percent more than leading competitors.
• Expandable platform: As your customers’ needs evolve and businesses grow, they can add more Meraki devices to create connected, intelligent workspaces—all managed from a single dashboard.
• Award-winning on-prem option: Do your customers need an on-premises solution? Offer the Cisco Firepower 1010, SE Labs’ 2023 winner for best next-generation firewall.
• SASE architecture, now for SMBs: Many SMB organizations can benefit from a secure access service edge (SASE) architecture, with Meraki SD-WAN as its foundation. SASE can streamline and integrate networking and security in the cloud, and connect remote workers to any application across any network, from anywhere.

Cisco is one of the largest cybersecurity companies with the most comprehensive portfolio of solutions to meet your customers’ needs. We’re also the global networking leader, and that’s why our converged Secure Networking solutions stand above the competition.

Make selling easier and more profitable with Cisco

Beyond its best-in-class status, Meraki offers other tremendous selling advantages, starting with higher profit margins, recurring revenue, and increased lifetime value. Did you know that Meraki boasts a 91 percent license renewal rate? Meraki creates happy SMB customers, 97 percent of whom agree that Cisco is a good solution for SMBs. Cisco Meraki also takes the friction out of your sales motions, with clear product pricing, comprehensive solutions, and world-class support.

Cisco is fully committed to helping partners like you to grow your business and boost profitability. We’re continually enhancing and streamlining our Cisco Partner Program, based on partner feedback. From high-quality sales and marketing resources to the flexible Cisco Enterprise Agreement, we make selling easier to give you an edge.

Ready, set, SELL with new offers and promotions

Now for the final boost to help you win: generous new offers, discounts, and incentives that push your deals to closed-won status. Learn what’s available to you, from the Secure your Future with Meraki MX and our Secure the Edge Firewall Promotion to drive new adoption and better profitability.

The SMB market is highly competitive, but right now the race is yours to win. With superior secure networking solutions and attractive incentives, Cisco gives you the power to accelerate in that last mile—and leave your competition behind.

Visit SalesConnect to get started

Visit the SalesConnect Secure Network page for everything you need to win SMB deals: sales enablement materials, product data sheets, trainings, and the latest offers.

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