Navigating the Future of Cisco Distribution: Insights from the Black Belt Academy

Understanding the Attributes of Cisco Black Belt Distribution Academy

The Cisco Black Belt Distribution Academy is a streamlined and specialized enablement framework designed to support Cisco distributors across all Cisco architectures, including Customer Experience (CX). It empowers distributors to efficiently assist and guide partners who are selling, deploying, supporting, and adopting Cisco’s cutting-edge technologies and software solutions.

1. Black Belt Offers One Simplified Enablement Framework Specifically for Distributors
   • Role-based enablement focusing on key competency areas.
   • Content curated specifically for distributors, ensuring relevance and effectiveness.
2. Distributors Gain Greater Proficiency in Key Skills
   • Multiple stages of enablement ensure comprehensive learning.
   • Assessment tools that lead to individual recognition and certification, validating the skills acquired.
3. Black Belt Provides a No-Cost, On-Demand, Quality Enablement Experience
   • Up-to-date Cisco training content and materials ensure distributors stay current with the latest technologies.
   • Self-service learning with application guidance allows distributors to progress at their own pace.

Key Distributor Roles: A Big Change in the Landscape

Cisco distributors have defined roles in Cisco Black Belt Academy:

• Sales
• Marketing
• Operations
• Customer Experience (CX)
• Engineering

With recent updates, Sales, Marketing, and Operations continue as core roles, while the Tech Specialist and CX roles have now been merged with Black Belt Partners Roles.

One of the key changes in the October refresh is the merging of the Customer Experience (CX) and Engineering learning plans (previously known as Tech Specialist) with partner learning plans.

Why Did We Merge these Disti and Partner Learning Plans?

The migration of CX and Engineering content into the Partner Black Belt Training catalog allows distributors to access the same valuable resources that Cisco partners use. This update ensures that distributors are not only well-prepared to support partners but can also pursue their own specializations in these critical areas. The move is designed to create a more aligned and effective approach to building out Cisco’s technology and customer experience practices, whether within distribution or in partnership with external Cisco partners.

New Updates for the Cisco Black Belt Distribution Academy

We are excited to announce some new updates to the Cisco Black Belt Distribution Academy that will enhance the training experience for distributors across various key areas.

• First, we have added new content, in this October refresh, for Network Experience, Security, and MSP Sales. These updates provide distributors with valuable insights and tools to better support partners and drive success in these critical areas. Whether you’re focusing on network solutions, security offerings, or managed services, this content will help you stay ahead of the curve and offer exceptional value to your customers.
• In addition to these new topics, we’ve also refreshed our Marketing content. You will dive into Marketing Velocity Central and its everyday applications, understand various SMB campaigns, learn how to grow managed services with the Cisco Powered Services Specialization. Additionally, you will gain skills to measure marketing impact, learn advanced SEO strategies, and understand how partnering with Cisco can help you capture market share and leverage your business.
• Lastly, we are introducing a new page experience within Cisco Black Belt Distribution Academy as part of the EMEA Accreditation Program.  The new page is now available through the BB Disti Home Page. If you are an EMEA Distributor participating in the EMEA Accreditation Program, begin your Black Belt training journey here. EMEA Accreditation

Stay updated and take advantage of these exciting new resources to enhance your skills and continue supporting Cisco’s growth and innovation. At Cisco, we are committed to continuously improving the Black Belt Distribution Academy to meet your needs. Your Feedback is Important to Us!

We encourage you to visit SalesConnect share your thoughts, suggestions, and experiences with us. 

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