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A heartfelt thank you to our partners for a fantastic FY23, and welcome to FY24! As we enter a new fiscal year, let’s remember that our success is interdependent and continue to support one another, celebrate our achievements, and learn from our collective experiences.
By staying true to our shared vision, we can achieve our individual goals and leave an indelible mark on the industries we serve. Let’s raise a virtual glass to a remarkable FY23 and the promise of FY24! Thank you again. May the journey we embark upon today be filled with growth and endless possibilities!
– Nina Harding, CVP, Americas GPS
Register here for the new Americas Partner Insiders Call on August 16 at 10:00 AM PT to hear about key solution area plays for FY24. You can also register to watch previous calls on demand.
If you weren’t able to attend Microsoft Inspire, you can watch the sessions on demand to learn more about our plans for FY24.
The Americas Partner Insiders Newsletter highlights key messages from Microsoft for the month. Use these Quick Links to go directly to the content that’s most relevant to your business:
Quick links
Modern Work and Security
SHARPEN YOUR SURFACE SELLING SKILLS WITH EXPERTZONE
ExpertZone is a learning platform comprised of quick gamified missions and stories built to get and keep you up to speed with the Surface for Business portfolio. From 101 introductions to the devices in our portfolio to deep dives into security, there’s something for everyone who wants to start or grow as a Surface seller. Check out what’s available!
Azure
START FY24 STRONG WITH THESE AZURE SOLUTION PLAY RESOURCES FOR SMB CUSTOMERS
Our Azure focus in FY24 remains on helping customers migrate and secure their Windows Server + SQL Server workloads. Get started by exploring the latest resources to help you understand the customer opportunity and train your staff how to pitch Azure. A partner best practice is to target your existing Modern Workplace customers and pitch them Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) solutions and Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD).
Business Applications
CHECK OUT THESE DYNAMICS 365 COPILOT ENABLEMENT RESOURCES
With Dynamics 365 Copilot, we introduced the world’s first AI copilot natively built-in to our CRM and ERP applications. We’ve created some awesome enablement resources for you on our enablement portal to guide any Dynamics Presales, Technical Evangelists to enable these capabilities and incorporate into customer and prospect conversations. To learn more, register for these Dynamics 365 Copilot training events today!
Enabling an Inclusive Economy
JOIN OUR MICROSOFT INSPIRE 2023 INCLUSIVE GROWTH SESSIONS
Learn how we can collectively enable inclusive growth as a Microsoft partner ecosystem. Register for our on-demand breakout sessions and live community discussions on:
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- Driving accessible digital transformation and innovation.
- Enabling supplier diversity and bringing impact solutions to market.
- Leveraging community partnerships for GTM.
- Nurturing inclusive leadership, diverse representation, and allyship within our organizations.
See the catalog for a full list of inclusive growth sessions.
UNLOCK THE SECRETS TO BREAKING THROUGH ON THE LINKEDIN FEED
Powerful creative can help businesses generate 10-20x more sales! Improving your ability to stand out on the LinkedIn feed can have a significant impact on your revenue. Read this blog to learn 10 tips and best practices for creating content that engages your audience.
Transformation
AZURE SAVINGS PLAN IN CSP AVAILABLE IN PARTNER CENTER AS OF JUNE 15
Customers benefit from an Azure savings plan for compute, which can help them:
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- Save compared to pay-as-you-go prices on select compute services.
- Automatically optimize savings across select services globally up to the hourly commitment.
- Save on their terms by customizing the plan’s term length, billing frequency, and hourly commitment to fit their needs.
Azure savings plan for compute is an easy and flexible way for customers to save up to 65 percent on compute costs. Visit the readiness gallery to learn more.
STAY UP TO DATE ON THE CSP IN NCE JOURNEY WITH THE PARTNER TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY MAP
Download this journey map to see a list of the key milestones in our journey to Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) new commerce and guidance on the actions that partner organizations should take. You’ll find information about CSP new commerce capabilities that are available now and what’s planned over the coming months.
ACHIEVE MORE WITH THESE ESSENTIAL PARTNER SUPPORT RESOURCES
As a valued partner, you have access to a wealth of Microsoft resources to help you accelerate your business and achieve your goals. Read this blog in the series for details on the essential partner support resources to help you achieve more.
JOIN OUR DEDICATED INSPIRE SESSION TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE MICROSOFT CLOUD PARTNER PROGRAM MEANS TO YOU
The Microsoft Cloud Partner Program has seen tremendous growth this year and continues to evolve. We’ve been in active listening mode and have heard how partners want the program to develop to help them better serve their customers.
Register for this on-demand Inspire session to learn how Microsoft is continuing to deploy new offers to meet the unique needs of all partner types. You’ll be among the first to hear about the upcoming changes and find out how to seize this opportunity to innovate and grow a successful business.
LEVERAGE THESE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW YOUR BUSINESS
Read this blog for guidance on what you need to learn, what to assess, and how to prepare to activate the changes ahead; and continue to leverage the following resources to grow within the Program:
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- Unlock the possibilities and learn how to grow your business with the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program Playbook! As a comprehensive guide, the Playbook gives you an overview of the Program, its requirements, benefits, and partner incentives to help you take the next steps.
- Join the conversation between Microsoft and other US partners through your journey to the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program.
- Visit the training gallery for the resources outlined in the Playbook to learn more about the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program, including Solutions Partner designations, benefits, capability score, Partner Center dashboard, and frequently asked questions.
Have questions or need support? Create a request in Partner Center.
KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A SECURITY STRATEGY IN YOUR BUSINESS
Cybersecurity continues to be one of the top challenges of our digital age, and Microsoft partners play a key role in securing cloud transformations around the world. Today’s organizations need a new security model that more effectively adapts to the complexity of the digital age, embraces the hybrid workplace; and protects people, devices, apps, and data wherever they’re located.
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- The Zero Trust framework is a highly effective security model that assumes all activity—even by trusted users—could be a breach.
- Strengthen your security posture and navigate the evolving threat landscape with Microsoft cybersecurity tools and resources, including the technical training “Security Through the Lens of Zero Trust” that’s recommended to all Microsoft partners.
- Read this announcement to learn about the steps you need to take today to help secure your business, the partner ecosystem, and upcoming milestones and updates.
Have questions? Join these weekly Q&A sessions on security-related changes and key calls to action.
Voices for Innovation
MICROSOFT RELEASES MILESTONE AI POLICY WHITE PAPER
Governing AI is the tech policy issue of the moment, with state and federal policymakers considering the potential benefits and challenges of this rapidly evolving technology. Microsoft recently added to the conversation by releasing a white paper, “Governing AI: A Blueprint for the Future,” which includes five key recommendations for addressing many current and emerging AI issues through public policy, law, and regulation. Learn more and access AI policy resources.
Be part of the conversation about AI and other tech policies by signing up for Voices for Innovation, the Microsoft-supported issue education and advocacy community for partners.
Partner Resources
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- Microsoft is a national member of the Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA).
The SBDA provides small businesses with free tools, training, networking, and other resources—the keys to helping you innovate, grow, and succeed. Learn more and get started today! - Microsoft Cloud Partner Program provides the resources to help you stay engaged with your customers and take your business to the next level. Get the latest partner resources and news tailored to our Americas partners.
- Microsoft is a national member of the Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA).
Join Us for Events and Activities
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- Partner Academy webinars. Register here for upcoming and on-demand webinars designed to help you have richer conversations with your customers.
- Partner Training Calendar. Register today for upcoming training events that will accelerate your Microsoft skills. Filter by solution area or solution play, among other options.
For more upcoming events, see the August 2023 Hot Sheet.
