Find out what’s new for Microsoft partners. We’ll connect you to resources that help you become market-ready, connect with customers and prospects, and differentiate your business. Read previous issues of our online newsletter.
We provide real-time updates about the topics covered in this newsletter and other partner-related news and information on our US Partner Community Twitter feed.
To stay in touch with me and connect with other partners and Microsoft sales, marketing, and product experts, join our US Partner Community on Yammer and see other options to stay informed.
Top stories
Move your partner business ahead with Microsoft: US Channel Chief, Stephen Boyle
Meet the new Vice President for the US Partner Group, Stephen Boyle, and hear his thoughts on partnering with Microsoft, the opportunities ahead for partners, and his ideas for must-see resources that can enable your team and help increase your profitability.
Read Stephen’s blog post
How Microsoft FastTrack helps you support your customers in the cloud
Microsoft FastTrack is now available to customers throughout their service lifecycle, making it easier to onboard new users and capabilities to the cloud, and opening up your opportunities for advanced workloads. FastTrack is continuing to evolve as the customer success service, and the updates fully leverage the partner-led engagement model with the FastTrack Center.
- Read the announcement about the latest FastTrack changes
- What partners should know about FastTrack
- Microsoft FastTrack on the partner portal
New Drumbeat Start for SMB sales training for Office 365
The new Drumbeat Start for SMB delivers all the tools and information you need to take advantage of the tremendous SMB opportunity. Register today to find resources that can you increase your Office 365 sales to SMB customers.
- Watch the 5 Minute Friday video about Drumbeat Start for SMB
- Sign in to the Drumbeat on Demand website to get started
US SMB Partner office hours for the Cloud Solution Provider program
If you’re selling, or getting ready to sell, Microsoft cloud services, you should know about the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program. The CSP program allows you to sell Microsoft cloud services along with your own offerings and services. In a four-part weekly office hours series that starts October 20, learn about the value of the CSP program to your business, get a sneak preview of the CSP Concierge website that’s coming soon, and learn how to connect to your distributor of choice to start selling.
Learn more and sign up
Windows 10 Masters online workshop series – Identity and Security
Starting November 3, get deep technical training about securing Windows 10 in the Enterprise using Active Directory, PowerShell, and other management tools, in the latest Windows 10 Masters online workshop series. This six-part, weekly training course is developed by Enterprise Security MVP, Hasain Alshakarti, an acknowledged security expert and computer industry speaker.
Use code MPN to register for this technical training series
New US SMB Partner Roadshow: Jumpstart your cloud practice with Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online
This new roadshow starts November 17 in New York City and November 19 in Washington, DC and visits 9 more cities in December and January. You’ll learn the fundamentals of building a profitable practice with Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online; how to position and market your practice to gain new customers; and the next steps to take to capitalize on the opportunity.
Learn more and register for the city nearest you
How to build partnerships for profitability and growth
Microsoft and the IAMCP (International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners) are bringing you a free program that explains how to partner more effectively for business growth and profitability. The P2P Maturity Model Playbook and Training Program will help you master the skills and discipline essential for developing and sustaining successful partnerships.
- Sign up for the November 3 virtual training
- Join the Microsoft Partner to Partner Networking Community on Yammer
New to the Microsoft Partner Network? Let MPN 101 be your guide
The US Partner Team has prepared a narrated presentation that takes you through the basics and essentials of the Microsoft Partner Network. You’ll learn how the program is structured and about the requirements and benefits of participation. In November, there will be an MPN 101 orientation call—look for the details in our MPN 101 Yammer group soon.
- Review the presentation
- Listen to the narrated presentation
- Join the MPN 101 Yammer group
- Stay tuned for MPN 101 orientation call details
Training for all partner roles in the Hot Sheet training schedule
The Hot Sheet is a schedule of partner training courses, webcasts, community calls, and office hours. It’s updated as we learn about new training for all roles in your partner business. The October Hot Sheet includes listings into December, so you can plan ahead.
Visit the current Hot Sheet
Partner marketing resources can help you effectively reach customers, while saving you time and money
Microsoft offers partners a comprehensive set of marketing resources to help you create professional, personalized marketing campaigns and utilize digital and social marketing platforms to best advantage. Here are tools and resources you should know about to move your marketing ahead:
- Smart Partner Marketing
- Marketing SureStep
- Ready-to-Go Marketing campaigns
- Ready-to-Go Marketing event services and Microsoft-led events
- Partner marketing topics on the MPN blog
- Branding and logo usage guidance