My Top 10 List – Your Superpower for Customer Success

A Message from the Netformx GM

I’ve always appreciated a good Top 10 list—it helps me focus and prioritize. As someone who’s spent years in tech sales, I know that constantly reaching out to customers just to hit quota isn’t always the best approach. But what if your outreach wasn’t about selling, but about protecting?

Imagine being the hero who ensures your customer’s network won’t fail them at a critical moment—whether in daily operations, integrating AI, or scaling for growth. The truth is, most customers don’t truly know the state of their network infrastructure without a thorough assessment. Simply sending over a list of serial numbers won’t cut it.

That’s why I encourage you to check out my latest blog or download our PDF to learn why a Network Assessment should be your next move. Plus, Cisco is offering $7,500 per customer when you sign them up for the Customer Assessment Incentive Program and meet the minimum requirements.

More Good News

These assessments are also key to your 360 transition to Cisco Partner Incentives (CPI). Success in this new model isn’t just about having the right specializations—it’s about deeper customer insights and stronger relationships and we can help with both. Check out the Cisco 360 Roadmap blog to see how you can prepare.

While Cisco 360 fully launches in early 2026, we’re here to help you maximize rebates today through the VIP 45 program. Don’t miss Mike’s VIP 45 recommendations in the blog below.

Explore all of our articles below for your roadmap to success, and let’s simplify how you capture Cisco rewards while uncovering new revenue opportunities—all while delivering the best service to your customers, both direct and through distribution.

We’re here to help every step of the way. Contact me at mark.bickerstaffe@netformx.com if you are ready to get started.

Best,
Mark Bickerstaffe

Top 10 Reasons to Pitch a Network Assessment

A Blog by Mark Bickerstaffe, Netformx GM

Many customers don’t realize that their network could be the bottleneck holding them back—or worse, an unseen cybersecurity risk waiting to happen. They may not think to call you first, but this is your chance to be proactive, check in, and position yourself as a trusted advisor.

You have two choices: Wait for the phone to ring or take the lead in guiding them toward a resilient, future-ready network. The best part? A network assessment isn’t just about selling—it’s about helping customers prioritize and plan, all while opening new revenue opportunities for you.

Read Mark’s blog to find out the 10 reasons why now is the perfect time to reach out to customers.

VIP 45 Highlights and Recommendations

A Blog by Mike Johnson, Head of Customer Success

With an increased focus on next-generation specializations, new solution subtracks, and broader product coverage—including the integration of Splunk—VIP 45 aligns with Cisco’s strategic vision for the future.

For partners looking to stay ahead, these changes present significant opportunities. From enhanced rebates on high-value solutions to a greater emphasis on lifecycle services, now is the time to refine your strategy and align with Cisco’s evolving incentive structure. In this blog, Mike breaks down the key highlights of VIP 45 and provides actionable recommendations to help you maximize your rewards.

Your Roadmap for Cisco 360 Success

A Blog by Mike Johnson, Head of Customer Success

At Netformx, we’re committed to helping partners navigate this transition and foster more strategic, outcome-driven conversations with their customers. Our tools and insights empower you to align with Cisco 360’s objectives, track your progress, and maximize your Partner Value Index (PVI) and rewards. While Cisco 360 details are still evolving, we’ll continue providing updates to ensure you’re fully prepared when it officially launches in early 2026. Acting now and partnering with Netformx to prepare will set the stage for a smooth transition and long-term success.

Check out Mike’s blog to learn how Netformx will help you adapt to Cisco 360 with data-driven insights and expert guidance.

Strengthen Relationships, Add Value, and Maximize Incentives

A Blog by Mark Bickerstaffe, General Manager

Mark’s January message to Cisco Partners touched on a number of topics that will help them to be more successful in 2025.

For deeper insights on creating business value, read the blog on developing customer relationships, where we share strategies for building trust and securing agreement for full customer assessments.

Additional recommended reading is the blog on building assessment value and handling objections—helping you overcome customer hesitations and demonstrate the true necessity of assessments.

If you haven’t joined other Cisco partners in getting the $7500 Customer Assessment Incentives for Networking, Security, or Collaboration, it’s time to jump on the bandwagon. We make it easy.

Don’t hesitate to reach out, and learn more from all the articles shared in his January Blog.

Why should I do a Network Assessment?