Launching a Successful Partner Program: An Interview with Patrick Dafe

As we approached TIMIFY's 10th anniversary in 2022, we were determined to take our business to the next level. With a focus on expanding our markets and diversifying our revenue streams, we began to explore new opportunities for growth. After careful consideration, we came to the realization that launching a Partner Program was the ideal solution for reaching our ambitious goals.

We are happy to be joined by Patrick Dafe, the head of the TIMIFY Partner Program. He will share his personal background and experiences, as well as provide valuable insights and advice for other SaaS companies looking to optimize or launch their own partner programs. Join us as Patrick shares his expertise and helps us understand what it is needed to launch a successful program, as well as sharing some insight about our own program.

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TIMIFY: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, Patrick, and what led you to join TIMIFY?

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TIMIFY: What do you believe is the partnership department's role in relation to other departments?

Patrick: We work to enhance each other’s performances, for instance, we have been able to support the sales team giving them more information and leads that they otherwise would have. We've also worked closely with the product team by sharing important data to help them develop new features and improve existing ones, thereby increasing our competitiveness and meeting market demands. And our IT department by assisting them to find integration partners to enhance their capabilities.

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TIMIFY: What do you believe can be done to prevent any channel sales conflicts?

Patrick: On a company level, it is crucial to have a strategic plan in place. This plan should clearly outline the roles, goals, and responsibilities of each department. Secondly, having a digital tool, not too many, but the right ones, to track leads and determine the best approach can also help prevent conflicts.  But most importantly, effective communication and a team-oriented mindset are key. 

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TIMIFY: What do you believe are the essential requirements for implementing a partner program?

Patrick: To successfully run a partner program, a company must have the capacity and the necessary resources to effectively recruit and manage their partners. This includes providing ongoing training and support to help partners succeed, whether it's through sales support or technical assistance.

Good partner management is critical for keeping partners engaged and maintaining strong relationships. If a company loses its partners, it may be almost impossible to win them back in the future.

Patrick dafe

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TIMIFY: TIMIFY: Do you think it's wise for SaaS companies to launch a partner program in 2023 given the current challenging economic climate?

Patrick: Absolutely! Digitalization is becoming a priority for businesses, and they are allocating more budget towards it. Launching a partner program can be a great way to expand your reach without having to dramatically increase your internal budget. Many companies that I started a partner program in the past are now benefiting from a positive return on investment. 

Before making any commitments, it's crucial to have a market-ready product, analyze the market thoroughly, and create a well-thought-out plan and strategy. In our experience, it took about 8 months to conduct a thorough analysis and develop a solid strategy before launching our own partner program.

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TIMIFY: Could you share your approach to implementing the TIMIFY Partner Program?

Patrick: Before implementation, there were several important considerations we needed to take into account. This included determining our ideal partner profile, identifying our target market, ensuring we met all necessary legal requirements, and creating the necessary documents. We also worked with a consulting firm in the early stages to develop a strategic approach for the program. They provided valuable support and helped us establish a solid foundation for the program.

_{Fabio Nascia (Chief Revenue Officer) and Patrick Dafe (Head of Partnerships)​​​​​​​}

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TIMIFY: Can you tell us who are our ideal partners 

Patrick: We are seeking to collaborate with established companies in the digitalization industry or software suppliers, that operate in regions where our presence is either minimal or non-existent. Our ideal partners are experts in their field and are interested in building a long-term relationship with us. They should also have a solid reputation and a proven track record of success. 
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TIMIFY: Can you describe the benefits that we offer to our partners?

Patrick: Absolutely! Our channel partners have a great opportunity to increase their revenue by reselling our product or by expanding their portfolio with a top-of-the-line appointment booking solution. Additionally, our tech partners can take advantage of our robust development platform to easily create and launch custom applications for our marketplace. On top of these benefits, we have also designed an extremely attractive incentive plan to reward and recognize the efforts of our partners.
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TIMIFY: What are the industries and regions that are being prioritized by the partner program now?

Patrick: Of course! Currently, we are highly focused on connecting with companies in the retail and financial sector. We believe that these industries have great potential for growth and collaboration. In terms of regions, in the short term our program has been running we have spotted a great potential in East Europe, Hong Kong and China, and we're also seeing a lot of promise in South America. These regions are our immediate focus, but we're always on the lookout for new opportunities to expand our reach.

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TIMIFY: In such a short period of time, we have been able to establish channel partnerships with several companies. Why do you think they have chosen us?

Patrick: I believe it's because of our reliability, scalability, and compliance. Our partners' customers are enterprises looking for trustworthy providers with proven experience in handling complex scheduling processes and customer journeys. We have been able to meet these requirements and that's why they have decided to work with us.

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TIMIFY: If anyone is interested in our partner program, what is the best way to reach out to you?

Patrick: easily, just book an appointment with me using my personal TIMIFY booking link https://tmfy.io/863108e or visit our website here.
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​​​​​​​Thanks, Patrick, for sharing your experience with us. We are very happy to have you in our team!