Ambition Mission

The biggest conference (literally) of the year for the IT provider is coming up soon - Micrsosoft Worldwide Partner conference is July 7-10 in Houston.  (other than the Houston in July thing), it’s shaping up to be a good show.  Here are some highlights, what to look for and some tips for maxamizing the conference.  First things first - the conference is at 80% attendance (and already at capacity for certain categories of attendees).  so, if you’re interested in attending, register at www.Microsoftwwpartnerconference.com 

1. My good friend Stuart Crawford will be a speaker at the conference!  Stuart is an expert in leveraging PR and blogging to grow a business.  You’ll definitely want to check out his session.
2. The biggest thing to look for is Microsoft’s S+S (Software plus Services) play.  Many IT providers are not happy, confused, or not sure about S+S.  Look for this to be the main undercurrent of the conference 
3. This is one of the best conferences to network with Microsoft people (see suggestions below) 
4. Sara and I are attending - you’ll usually FIND ME IN THE YELLOW LOUNGE or just look around for “the guy in the suit” its probably me
5. The ISV party will be “the party” but it was invite only and already at capacity - don’t worry there will be PLENTY to do.

This is a small excerpt from my upcoming 2nd book - A Guide to MARKETING Managed Services - faster, easier, & for greater profit (See full table of contents here) - I have an entire Chapter dedicated to Leveraging Microsoft.

Constructively complaining:A Partner’s first interaction with a Microsoft employee is pretty interesting.  It usually involves the Partner complaining and the Microsoft employee smiling and nodding.  When meeting a Microsoft employee, it is important to know that unless he/she is on the development team of the product you’re complaining about – chances are he/she can’t do anything to help you, other than of course to smile and nod and wait for you to stop talking.  FYI – most product team developers and managers are not out and about meeting Partners.   Partners

When meeting a Microsoft employee, ask what they do for Microsoft within the first 15 seconds of introducing yourself. 

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The sooner it is realized what a person does for Microsoft and what that person’s goals are this year, the quicker it can be determined how to best leverage that contact at Microsoft.  Also be sure to offer a solution to any problem that may exist.  So hold that complaint about whatever until:

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1)      You’re communicating with someone in the department that is responsible for those issues

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2)      You have an idea for a solution that you can offer 

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I continue to see Partners find a Microsoft person at a conference or other event and insist on venting about all ways in which he feels Microsoft has not done a good job.  It seems the goal of these folks is to complain to as many Microsoft people as possible.  Perhaps the thinking is that sooner or later, someone will care. 

PartnersSince the chances of meeting the exact right person or manager to vent your complaint to is actually small, why not seek out something positive?  Decide how Microsoft can best help your company’s growth and ask for it.  The more thought out and specific the better.  Not only will you eventually get what you’re looking for (assuming it’s a reasonable request), you’re likely to build a great database of Microsoft employees along the way. 

Happy hunting at WPC!