A unique location, fine coffee at a great bar and inspiring rockers. What I experience at my first get-to-know-you meeting with our distribution partner Zibris knocks my socks off. A report on the partnership between Netstream and Zibris.
“I used to think partnerships were always the same and therefore boring. As boring as a classical concert when the music doesn’t speak to you and slow movements drag on for all eternity,” says Björn, our Cloud Solution Sales, as we set off from Netstream’s office in Dübendorf towards Lucerne. “For me, classical concerts are the epitome of boredom – the long notes run through your whole body and you’re paralysed. Walking out isn’t an option. And today? Today I know that partnerships can rock,” he continues.
It is 8 o’clock in the morning. I, Natasa Kovacevic, Marketing & Communications Manager at Netstream, am driving with Björn to Zibris AG in Lucerne. Zibris became our distribution partner for our cloud solutions just a few days ago. It is the first face-to-face meeting between the two marketing departments.
“Here I am. Ba-bam. Ba-ba- Rock you like a Hurricane.” As I sit in Björn’s car, still smiling about his last words, Björn grooves along to “Rock you like a Hurricane” by the Scorpions.
How it all began
“You know, Natasa, Zibris AG is no ordinary distributor. It’s a rock band – just like us,” says Björn in his likeable Dutch accent, using his hands as air drums for a brief moment. Björn tells me how it all began.
“It was important to us to find a distribution partner that suits us. With Zibris, we chose a partner we can grow together with.” Björn turns serious, but keeps on grooving.
A partner that suits us? So can I look forward to a partner who carries out its projects with passion and empathy and is there for its resellers and customers with enthusiasm? “What exactly do you mean by that?” I ask Björn. “Wait until we meet them – you’ll see for yourself,” he replies. Slightly puzzled by his answer, I feel my nerves rising. But I leave it at that.
Dramatic build-up to the first meeting
Arrival in Lucerne. After an hour’s drive and Björn’s dramatic build-up to the meeting, I’m glad the moment has finally come. “Right, Natasa, now prepare to be surprised.” Those are Björn’s last words to me. He says nothing more. We get into the lift and go up to the third floor. I’m curious about what lies ahead.
“Zibris is a rock band. Just like us.”
Woooow! Arriving in Zibris’s entrance area, I’m blown away. What I see is not what I had imagined. I’m greeted by rockers. I remember Björn’s words, which I hadn’t really taken seriously in the car. “Zibris is a rock band.” And now? Now a real rocker is standing in front of me.
Mariano Isek, Managing Director of Zibris AG, greets me with a broad smile. His grey 10 cm beard, his tattoos and his infectious manner grab me.
“Welcome to Zibris. Great to meet you today. Can I offer you something to drink?” Mariano leads me to Zibris’s own drinks bar. I can’t stop marvelling.
I have the barkeeper make me a delicious coffee. Yes – normally I don’t drink coffee. But today I can’t resist.
As I leisurely drink my coffee, I get to know more Zibris people. Among them is Philip Hasler, Zibris’s graphic designer. Although on the outside he doesn’t quite look like a rocker, I sense there’s a rock star inside him. Will that prove true?
Right. Now it’s getting serious. Or is it?
Our meeting starts promptly at 9 o’clock. Mariano Isek and Alexis Caceda, CEO of Netstream AG, stand before us. All eyes are on them. “For us, Netstream is a strategic partner with whom we will grow together with our resellers in the cloud services market,” Mariano Isek begins.
Alexis Caceda adds: “We leave the direct sale of cloud services to Microsoft, Google, AWS, Swisscom & Co. In Zibris we have found absolutely the right distribution partner. Together we’ll rock the cloud market.”
I simply can’t wipe the broad smile off my face. I’m thrilled by the people involved and delighted to be part of a big story.
Over the next few minutes, we discuss the next milestones with extreme focus – always with a clear goal in mind.
Benefits for resellers
“Together we’ll rock the cloud market.” At that very moment, I find out what Alexis Caceda meant by this statement.
The partnership between Netstream and Zibris gives resellers the opportunity to move from the traditional hardware project business to a “retention revenue” set-up. Resellers can now also offer their existing customers cloud solutions and guide them professionally on their journey to the cloud. Netstream AG is always available to support them with its cloud expertise. Resellers also benefit financially from the strong partnership between Netstream and Zibris. Netstream is the only cloud provider that sells 100% of its cloud solutions through resellers and offers healthy double-digit margins.
Benefits for end customers
End customers also enjoy many benefits. If they wish, they can stay with the reseller they trust and also obtain high-quality cloud solutions. Tailor-made solutions are also part of the portfolio. With Netstream as the manufacturer, end customers additionally benefit from data storage in Switzerland and extensive cloud expertise. End customers receive free, supported proofs of concept (POCs). This lets them test directly whether their cloud project works as intended. At the same time, they find out which combination of infrastructure components is optimal for them. This ensures that all the hoped-for benefits materialise.
Thank you, Netstream
I don’t like them! I’m talking about surprises. And yet I had a great day today. The many lively people and the enthusiasm for what we have created together so far will stay with me for a long time. Thank you, Netstream, for letting me be part of the team. And now I’m looking forward to rocking the cloud market together with Netstream and Zibris. To put it in Alexis Caceda’s words: “Together we’ll rock the cloud market.”
