AcumatiCares
Exceptional female leaders abound in the IT channel and CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, acknowledges their accomplishments, thought leadership, and channel advocacy with their annual Women of the Channel list. CRN’s 2022 Women of the Channel List recognizes nearly 1400 women, and we’re pleased to announce that Acumatica’s Jessica Pidgeon, Senior Partner Programs Manager, is once again an honoree.
For those of us who have had the privilege of working with Jessica, it’s no surprise that this is her second time making the list. Her nine years of experience as the enablement, operations, and programs manager for various software vendors has equipped her with remarkable leadership skills and real-world knowledge, which, combined with her passion for serving partners and the channel’s needs, has immeasurably improved the Acumatica Partner Program.
We sat down with Jessica to find out what motivates her to make Acumatica partners’ experience better every day.
Jessica In Her Own Words
Question: Tell us a little bit about your background. How did you get started in the technology sector?
Jessica: Before pursuing my career in the technology arena, I had the opportunity to live and work abroad for eight years. When I returned to the United States, I focused my attention on organizational behavior, processes, and programs in technology and was able to translate my expertise into a career that serves the IT channel, and more importantly, partners.
Question: Why is partner success so important to you?
Jessica: Working for Acumatica, which is a company solely dependent on its partners (Acumatica VARs) for selling, implementing, and supporting its cloud ERP solution, your success is tied directly with your partners’ success. By offering straightforward business practices, processes, and policies to Acumatica VARs, they have what they need to serve our mutual customers. And when our customers are served well, they’re happy, which, in turn, makes our partners—and us—happy.
Question: Can you share some of the things you’ve done to help Acumatica’s partners prioritize care of mutual customers?
Jessica: Yes! As you know, I believe that clear communication and genuine connection are critical components to operational success. This interconnectedness establishes trust between community members, and it requires engaging in meaningful discussions about what does and does not work across an organization. With this in mind, my team and I, under your direction as Acumatica’s Chief Revenue Officer, hosted an offsite meeting in 2021, where we discussed the many aspects of partner recruitment, enablement, and sales.
My SWOT analysis revealed strengths and weaknesses in Acumatica Partner Program processes and in its structure. In 2021, and now in 2022, we’re using the data to improve how we serve our partners, including reassessing the types of partners Acumatica recruits, streamlining the case submission process, and reducing the red tape, so that partners can keep their focus on our customers.
Question: You’re obviously dedicated to the channel’s success, and it takes a lot of work and energy. What motivates you to keep going?
Jessica: I’m energized by Acumatica’s customers and partners. Their excitement and dedication to running successful businesses motivate me to provide them with the best tools, training, and resources available. Plus, I love that no two days are the same and that I have the opportunity to work with different teams across Acumatica. These varying perspectives and insights provide me with a holistic understanding of Acumatica, thus helping me improve our partner and customer experiences.
Question: As a successful woman in the channel, do you have any words of advice for other women in the channel?
Jessica: I believe in dreaming big, believing that you can, and always staying true to who you are. I also believe that being a woman in the workforce means understanding that competition is an undeniable aspect in the workforce, but you can still embrace your strength without compromising or feeling like you need to “put on pants.”
It’s vital that you find a company that emphasizes women in leadership roles. Here at Acumatica, we’ve established AcumatiCares. It’s a program focused on reducing our environmental impact and advocating for sustainable business practices, which include inclusion, diversity, and gender equality. The annual Women in Tech Luncheon during Summit is a perfect example of our commitment to building a community of women leaders, and we have plans to expand our Women in Tech program for years to come.
Question: What are your goals for 2022?
Jessica: Well, on a personal note, I intend to once again study one of the three languages I speak (Spanish, French, and Mandarin). I haven’t had many opportunities to use those skills since I’ve been back in the U.S. Professionally, I’m excited to continue growing and strengthening my strategic thinking skills as my expanding team takes on tactical support responsibilities. I also plan on honing my HTML skills.
Question: With such a full professional life, what do you do to relax when you’re at home?
Jessica: My dog, Chewbacca, and I go for long walks in the woods. It’s a way to de-stress, and I set aside time during the weekend to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. And loving on my cat, Mr. Tuna Fish, is a great stress reliever as I work from home.
What the Future Holds for Jessica
Her inclusion on CRN’s 2022 Women of the Channel List is a well-deserved honor, as evidenced by her efforts on Acumatica’s behalf. They include revitalizing the Acumatica Partner Program (and contributing to Acumatica receiving a 5-star rating in the 2022 CRN Partner Program Guide), working as a project manager during our rollout of a new element of our reseller program, and helping align internal processes with Acumatica’s strategic focuses—among many other things. Jessica’s passion for the channel, her authentic personality, and her outstanding skills all play a part in Acumatica’s success.
The Acumatica team anticipates Jessica’s continued success in helping partners navigate unexpected challenges while collaborating with them to provide our mutual customers with an innovative, industry-specific, and business-enhancing cloud ERP solution.
Contact our team today to learn more about the Acumatica Partner Program, becoming an Acumatica partner, and our award-winning cloud ERP software.
