8 Ways Microsoft Partners Can Collaborate with Microsoft
Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes
Intended Audience: Microsoft Partners
Leverage the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program
The Microsoft Cloud Partner Program (formerly Microsoft Partner Network) is your gateway to building a strong, strategic relationship with Microsoft. As a member of this program, you gain access to exclusive resources, training, and co-marketing opportunities that help you enhance your technical skills, differentiate your solutions, and build customer trust.
By achieving Solution Designations, partners can gain Microsoft recognition and attract customers seeking expert services. You also gain access to Microsoft’s technical resources, such as Microsoft Learn, and tools like Partner Center to streamline sales and marketing.
Maximize Visibility Through Microsoft Marketplaces
One of the most effective ways to expand your reach is by listing your solutions in Microsoft’s various marketplaces. These platforms give you access to global customers actively searching for industry-specific or business-critical solutions. Here’s how you can leverage each one:
- Microsoft AppSource: This marketplace is designed for business applications, especially those related to Dynamics 365 and Power Platform. It allows you to list your solutions for enterprise customers seeking tailored apps that meet their specific needs.
- Azure Marketplace: If your solutions are cloud-based, Azure Marketplace is the ideal platform. It offers a global audience of developers, IT professionals, and enterprise customers looking for services built on Azure.
- Partner Solution Gallery: This gallery showcases Microsoft partner solutions across various industries, allowing you to demonstrate your expertise to a broader audience.
- Teams Store: With Microsoft Teams’ rapid growth, publishing collaboration-enhancing apps in the Teams Store helps you tap into the massive user base and boost adoption of your solutions.
- Microsoft Store: A platform for consumer-facing software solutions that target a global audience of Windows users.
Co-Sell with Microsoft
The Co-Sell with Microsoft program allows you to partner with Microsoft’s sales teams to sell your solutions to mutual customers. This program accelerates growth by providing access to Microsoft’s established relationships, technical resources, and global reach.
By co-selling with Microsoft, you benefit from their global salesforce advocating your solutions to customers, creating faster deal cycles and more closed opportunities. Ensure your solutions are ready for co-sell by aligning with Microsoft’s priorities (such as cloud, security, or AI). Becoming a co-sell-ready partner can significantly boost your revenue.
Join Industry-Specific Partner Communities
Microsoft offers a variety of Industry Clouds for sectors like healthcare, finance, and retail, giving partners an opportunity to develop solutions that meet specific industry needs. By joining these targeted communities, you can tap into sector-specific resources, tools, and best practices.
Aligning with industry clouds helps you build trust with clients in those sectors. Additionally, it allows you to customize your solutions to meet regulatory requirements or business nuances in those industries. Position your expertise in key verticals by co-developing solutions tailored to your target industry’s challenges.
Secure Funding Through Microsoft’s Incentive Programs
Microsoft offers various funding programs to help partners grow their business, enhance customer adoption, and co-sell solutions. These financial incentives ensure you can focus on scaling your business while accessing resources to drive marketing, technical support, and customer engagement.
Here are some key funding programs:
- Microsoft Development Funds (MDF): These funds can be used for co-marketing activities, product launches, and technical initiatives.
- Co-op Funds and Incentives: Earned by achieving specific sales goals, these funds support marketing activities, events, and customer engagements.
- Eligible Workshops, Assessments, and Skilling Programs: Funding for workshops and assessments that help customers adopt Microsoft technologies.
- ECIF (Enterprise Channel Incentive Funds): Designed for customer training, onboarding, and project support.
- Proof of Concept (PoC) Credits: Financial credits to help demonstrate the value of your solutions to potential customers.
Receive Support from Partnering with Microsoft
Partners can access multiple types of support from Microsoft to accelerate their business. These include:
- Monetary: Funds like MDF, Co-op incentives, and PoC credits to support marketing and sales efforts.
- Marketing: Co-marketing materials, go-to-market strategies, and support in running campaigns.
- Technical: Access to Microsoft experts, technical training, certifications, and support for developing innovative solutions.
- Leads: Microsoft often shares potential leads through co-sell programs, marketplaces, and partner initiatives.
Leverage the technical and marketing support to ensure your solutions are competitive and your go-to-market strategy is robust.
Join Memberships and Associations for Greater Reach
Microsoft offers several partner associations that provide resources, networking opportunities, and business growth support. These include:
- Black Channel Partner Alliance (BCPA): A community that champions Black-owned businesses within the Microsoft ecosystem.
- International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (IAMCP): A global network of Microsoft partners focused on business development and collaboration.
- Women in Cloud (WIC): This network supports women entrepreneurs and businesses in the cloud ecosystem, providing resources and funding opportunities.
- The Women in Tech Network (WIT): WIT is a global movement that advocates for women in technology, offering networking and growth opportunities.
- FastTrack Ready Partner Program: This program offers partners early access to new Microsoft technologies and tools to deliver services faster and more effectively.
Assess which associations align with your business goals and take advantage of the opportunities they provide for networking, learning, and growth.
Tap into Paid Media Communities for Visibility
Paid media communities give Microsoft partners access to channels dedicated to the Microsoft ecosystem. By participating in these communities, you can increase visibility and generate leads:
- Redmond Channel: A well-known media outlet providing Microsoft-related news, insights, and advertising opportunities.
- Channel Futures: Offers resources for partners looking to grow their business in the IT channel.
- IT Pro Today: A go-to source for news on Microsoft technologies, providing partners with a platform to showcase their expertise.
- MSDW (Microsoft Dynamics World): A publication focused on the Dynamics 365 ecosystem, offering advertising and thought leadership opportunities.
- The Ultimate Partner: A resource hub for partners looking to expand their Microsoft practice through content and paid media opportunities.
- ERP Software/CRM Software/Cloud Publications: Publications tailored to ERP, CRM, and cloud solutions, where partners can advertise and share case studies to drive leads.
Attend Microsoft and Partner Conferences
Conferences are a great way to build relationships, learn from experts, and showcase your solutions. Microsoft offers several key conferences that partners should consider attending:
- Microsoft Ignite: Microsoft’s premier event for partners, offering insights, networking, and new product announcements.
- DynamicsCon: A community-driven event focused on the Dynamics 365 ecosystem.
- Directions: An essential event for those working with Dynamics 365 Business Central.
- Dynamics Communities Summit: A gathering of Dynamics users and experts to share insights and best practices.
- Microsoft Build: A conference for developers to explore Microsoft technologies and innovations.
- Power Platform/Fabric/Microsoft 365 Conferences: Focused on Microsoft’s cloud technologies and the future of data, AI, and business transformation.
Attend events that align with your strategic goals and maximize your presence by networking and showcasing your expertise.
Make the Most of your Microsoft Partnership
Partnering with Microsoft presents an incredible range of opportunities for growth and innovation. From securing funding and gaining access to leads, to maximizing your visibility through marketplaces and industry associations, Microsoft provides a strong foundation for your success.
Curious to learn more about how other partners are utilizing these incentives? Take our MS Partner Community & Resources Survey for insights – plus, if you complete it before October 31st, you’ll be entered for a chance to win one of five $50 Amazon e-giftcards.
