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John Cordell
Global Channels & Alliances Executive - Enterprise Analytics/IoT/Big Data
Professional Background
John Cordell is a highly accomplished professional with over 25 years of experience in leading software channel sales and partner alliances teams across various emerging and established enterprise software organizations. Notably, his extensive career includes significant tenures at industry giants such as Oracle, Sybase, and Hitachi Vantara. Throughout his journey, John has consistently demonstrated a unique ability to drive revenue growth and foster strategic partnerships that create impactful business results.
Over the years, John has achieved remarkable success in enhancing partner revenue contributions, with his efforts resulting in partner revenue representing more than 30% of total sales during his leadership roles and subsequently growing that figure to over 45%. His strategic initiatives have also played a pivotal role in ensuring that 30% of new customers originated from the partner ecosystem he developed.
In addition to these achievements, John has closed an impressive 55 enterprise deals over a two-year period in collaboration with a major global systems integrator (SI), further emphasizing his effectiveness in establishing significant relationships that boost sales performance. John's career has been marked by his ability to create and nurture partnerships, often collaborating with the largest global SIs to innovate joint solutions that expand market presence and enhance competitiveness.
One of John's signature accomplishments includes a comprehensive revamp of partner programs. This overhaul involved deploying new contracts and partner sales tools designed to support partner enablement, significantly enhancing partner engagement and sales effectiveness. His exceptional ability to cultivate and grow partnerships was also showcased in his work with the world’s largest IT firm, where his leadership directly contributed to the acquisition of his employer.
Education and Achievements
John Cordell holds a Master’s degree in Business Economics from the prestigious University of Colorado Boulder, coupled with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Western Michigan University. His strong academic foundation has equipped him with a deep understanding of economic principles, which complements his hands-on experience in the software and technology sectors.
His career journey began with Oracle Corporation, where he served as one of the early employees. In those formative years, John developed a robust technical knowledge of data and data management while building and leading high-performing pre-sales and product-sales teams. His time at Oracle was crucial in establishing the sales acumen and leadership style that would define his future endeavors, playing a vital role in driving consecutive 100% year-over-year revenue growth for the company.
Notable Experience
John's professional history is dotted with significant leadership roles in organizations recognized for their innovation and impact in the technology sector. Prior to his current role as an Executive Consultant, John served various leadership positions including Vice President of Global Alliances and Channels at Pentaho (Hitachi Vantara), where he was instrumental in developing global strategies that enhanced channel performance.
His previous roles also include:
- Vice President of Alliances at RedPoint Global Inc.
- Vice President of US Federal and North America Channels at Pentaho (Hitachi Vantara)
- Vice President of Global Alliances at Savvion, which was later acquired by Progress Software
- Director of Global Alliances at Savvion, Inc.
- Senior Alliances Management professional at Vitria Technology
- Alliances Management and Sales Consulting at Oracle Corporation
- Application Engineering and Field Marketing Management at GAIN Technology (acquired by Sybase)
- Sales Consulting Management at Oracle Corporation
Throughout his diverse career, John has consistently exhibited a focus on building an influential ecosystem of regional, national, and global partners designed to support direct sales initiatives. His specialty in leveraging strategic alliances to maximize organizational valuation has positioned him as a go-to expert for enhancing operational success through partnerships.
Achievements
- Doubled partner revenue contribution to over 30% of total sales and further increased it to over 45%.
- Achieved that 30% of new customers were sourced from the partner ecosystem.
- Closed 55 enterprise deals with a major global systems integrator within a two-year time frame.
- Effectively revamped existing partner programs, deploying innovative contracts and partner sales tools to enhance partner enablement.
- Successfully grew partnerships with leading IT firms, ultimately leading to acquisitions that validated business strategies.
Conclusion
Through his dynamic career, John Cordell has established a reputation as an industry leader in software channel sales and partner alliances, combining years of experience with a clear strategic vision. His commitment to enhancing partner relationships and optimizing channel execution has made him invaluable to every organization he has partnered with. As he continues to consult and lend his expertise to clients, John's influence in the enterprise software landscape is likely to resonate for years to come.
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