The theme of our 27th podcast episode is Measuring Partner Ecosystem Value: Why 90% of Partner Programs Fail And How to Fix Them.

Joining our host Jeremy Balius to discuss all things partner ecosystems is Chris Messina from Quarq.

Most partner teams are stuck in the shadows—lacking visibility, tools, and buy-in. In this episode, Chris Messina, Founder and CEO of Quarq.ai, reveals why partner programs so often fail and what it takes to make them succeed.

Chris shares his incredible personal journey and how it shaped his mission to bring credibility and accountability to ecosystem strategies.

We unpack why vanity metrics are killing partner potential, how the Shared Value Index (SVI) is redefining how impact is measured, and why empathy, not resentment, is key to aligning with execs.

Whether you lead a channel program or just believe partnerships are your company’s next big growth lever, this conversation offers a roadmap to ecosystem success and the data to prove it.

Key topics covered:

• Why partner programs fail 90% of the time

• The power of measuring shared value, not just sourced revenue

• How to build executive trust and eliminate partner “invisibility”

• AI’s role in surfacing give-get opportunities

• Why the future C-suite may be led by ecosystem leaders

About Chris Messina

Chris Messina is the founder and CEO of Quarq, the first AI platform built to measure the true value of partner ecosystems. After a decade watching partner programs fail due to shallow metrics and executive blind spots, Chris had enough—and built a platform that exposes the real impact partners have on KPIs like ARR, retention, and growth. Think of Quarq as a credit score for every partner, and a portfolio index for your entire ecosystem.

An Army veteran, former police officer, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Chris brings relentless grit, sharp strategy, and zero tolerance for fluff. He’s on a mission to kill vanity metrics, hold partner teams accountable, and prove—once and for all—that partnerships are the most undervalued growth engine in tech.

Whether you’re scaling an ecosystem or just trying to survive one, Chris is here to change the game… and he’s not asking for permission.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn.

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Go-to-Market Playmakers is where B2B Tech and SaaS founders, leaders, and industry playmakers share the strategies that drive real results. Join host Jeremy Balius for winning GTM strategies from the industry’s best.

Each episode unpacks the moves, insights, and lessons from industry playmakers who’ve successfully navigated the complexities of taking products and services to market.

Whether you’re scaling a SaaS company, refining your revenue strategy, or leading a GTM motion, this podcast delivers actionable insights, real-world experiences, and proven frameworks to accelerate your success.

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Connect with Jeremy Balius.