Kevin Birss
About Kevin Birss
Kevin Birss is a seasoned professional in channel sales and business development, currently working at Poly since 2010. He has extensive experience in the technology sector, including significant roles at IBM Canada, and has consistently exceeded sales targets throughout his career.
Work at Poly
Kevin Birss has been working at Poly since 2010 in the role of Channel Sales and Business Development. Over his 14 years at the company, he has consistently over-achieved on sales plans for all nine years in this position. His focus includes developing business models with Gold Microsoft Partners and integrating Microsoft Skype for Business with Polycom technologies. He has also played a significant role in ensuring alignment between Polycom's direct sales team and channel sales teams.
Previous Experience at IBM Canada
Prior to his tenure at Poly, Kevin Birss worked at IBM Canada for a total of 13 years in various roles. He served as Director and Practice Leader for Networking and Unified Communication from 2003 to 2008. Before this, he held the position of Consultant and IT Architect for Networking and Unified Communication from 2000 to 2003. His career at IBM began as an IT Architect for Mobile and Wireless Services from 1994 to 1999. This extensive experience contributed to his expertise in business development and technology integration.
Education and Expertise
Kevin Birss studied Computer Science at York University, where he earned a Bachelor of Computer Science from 1989 to 1993. He also attended Cardinal Newman from 1984 to 1989. His educational background laid the foundation for his career in technology and business development, particularly in the areas of networking and unified communications.
Achievements and Awards
Throughout his career, Kevin Birss has received recognition for his contributions to channel sales and business development. Notably, he received the Real Impact Award, which highlights his significant impact in his field. His initiatives in partner recruitment and the development of sales and marketing programs for System Integrators and Industry Application Providers further demonstrate his commitment to advancing business strategies.
Strategic Initiatives and Contributions
In his role, Kevin Birss has engaged in partner recruitment initiatives aimed at addressing strategic gaps in the channel strategy. He has developed strategies that ensure alignment between Polycom's direct sales team and channel sales teams, facilitating a cohesive approach to market engagement and sales execution.