Upcoming event: Trust and Security in the AI world

Join us on April 24 for this one-hour virtual event exploring the critical role of trust and security in the age of AI. Microsoft leaders will discuss our commitment to ensuring trustworthiness in Microsoft AI technologies and practices. Let’s start building a secure and trusted AI future together!

See the event details and register today.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to:  #AllRoles #Event #GrowSkills #BizApps #CrossSolution

April 9: Americas Partner Insider Call
April 17: Americas Partner Insider Call—Biz Apps Edition

Register here for the next Americas Partner Insider Call, a continuation of our series focused on helping you use Microsoft 365 Copilot to accelerate growth. Featured topics include: Digital Journey Initiative on LevelUp, Going to Market with Microsoft Copilot Chat + Agents, How to Sell Pay-as-You-Go Agents, Preparing for Microsoft 365 Copilot in CSP, and Annual/Monthly Price Adjustments in CSP.

To explore other topics, see the list of previous sessions available to watch on demand.

Register here for the next Americas Partner Insider Call—Biz Apps Edition. We’ll discuss the benefits of migration to customers, followed by a roundtable discussion on best practices and Q&A.

See the full list of upcoming sessions.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to:  #AllRoles #News #GrowYourBiz #Azure

PowerBI SKU to Fabric SKU—a low-hanging fruit

The transition from Power BI Premium per capacity SKUs (P-SKUs) to Microsoft Fabric capacity SKUs (F-SKUs) offers significant benefits, including access to Azure-only features, smaller starting SKUs, and flexible purchase options like pay-as-you-go or reservation commitments. This migration is essential as P-SKUs will be deprecated, with renewals ending on January 31, 2025. Customers are encouraged to proactively transition to F-SKUs to take advantage of these benefits and ensure a seamless migration.

Engage with your customers to educate them about the transition from P-SKUs to F-SKUs. Learn more. Partner guidance.

New sales agents for Microsoft 365

Microsoft recently announced two new sales agents accessible in Microsoft 365 Copilot to help teams close more deals, faster: Sales Agent turns contacts into qualified leads and Sales Chat helps accelerate the sales cycle.

Learn more in this blog.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to:  #AllRoles #DoingBizwMSFT #LearnSolutionAreas #Azure #Security

LevelUp training for Azure and Security

Take your journey as a Microsoft partner to the next level with the self-paced flexible LevelUp learning programs.

To see the extensive offering of Azure and Security courses, including Threat Protection courses, select View all courses and filter under Solution Area in the course catalog.

Partner Audience: #CSP
Relevant to:  #DoingBizwMSFT #GrowYourBiz #Azure #ModernWork #Security

No Better Time video series: Accelerate Secure AI in CSP

As you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology, we’re excited to share the latest updates and opportunities that can help you accelerate your business and stay ahead of the curve. Hear from our Go-to-Market team on how to get started in this series of three short videos.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #SalesAndMktg #DoingBizwMSFT #GoToMarket #CrossSolution

Digital Marketing Content OnDemand

Digital Marketing Content OnDemand provides fresh go-to-market content for multichannel marketing campaigns at no extra cost to Microsoft partners. Unlock expertise that can help drive customer engagement and elevate your business.

Learn more and get started today!

No, no. That wasn’t a question. 

In one of my all-time favorite movies, 2006’s The Devil Wears Prada, the no-nonsense magazine editor Miranda Priestly (played by the legendary Meryl Streep) is ambushed by her publisher.

They’re trying to push her out of her job so they can hire someone younger and less expensive for the role. Then, Miranda has an ambush of her own.

(Mild spoilers for the movie ahead. If you haven’t seen it, go watch it. I’ll be here when you get back!)

During her long tenure at the fictional magazine Runway, Priestly’s built a vast network of collaborators. Writers, designers, photographers, models—these connections are compiled into what she calls ‘The List.’

When the publisher of Runway tries to get rid of Priestly, she brings out ‘The List,’ and reminds him that all these connections in the business are loyal to her, and will follow her anywhere. If they get rid of her, they’re getting rid of all of that talent, too. And, without these talented people, if Runway hires someone else, they will fail.

Recently, I was thinking about this moment in the context of my own work with Microsoft partners. Over the last five years or so, my team has been focused on establishing Partner SuperPowers, those unique talents offered by each business that make them shine and set them apart.

I like to frame it this way: Sure, you can offer the full Microsoft stack, but you can’t be an expert at everything! So, your SuperPower is your specialty. Miranda Priestly’s SuperPower is her ability to build loyalty with the best in the business and anticipate what’s next in the fashion magazine business.

But, how do you determine your SuperPower?

By looking at successful client service engagements, the ones where you were able to solve a customer’s problem in a unique way through your deep industry knowledge, training, technology specializations, or time to implementation.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you specialize within a certain industry or solution play?

• What are you hired to do time and time again?

• Do you have any special training or certifications with Microsoft solutions like Copilot or Power Platform?

• Why do your clients hire you?  Why do they stay with you?

Determining your SuperPower means getting specific. A more generic IT practice that claims to do a little bit of everything isn’t as appealing to potential customers as a Microsoft partner who knows what they do well, and when to collaborate with another expert.

Bolstering your expertise with a recent client case study can go a long way, too. It’s a concrete, third-party example of your ability to solve for a specific type of engagement.

In fact, according to research by Nielsen,¹ 92 percent of customers trust recommendations from other people above all other forms of advertising.

That’s an undeniable number. It means that a Microsoft partner’s biggest selling point, beyond their specific technology skills (or Miranda Priestly’s skills in running a high-end fashion magazine), is their reputation. It’s not enough that you’re an expert in cybersecurity, it’s that you’re known as the go-to organization for security projects by clients, other Microsoft partners, and Microsoft.

A key part of your SuperPower is establishing not only your specialty, but also building a network (a ‘List’ of your own, if you will) of other, different SuperPowers.

You might live and breathe cybersecurity, but one day your client might need a comprehensive data solution. If you build connections within the Microsoft partner network, you can offer a resource that gets your client precisely what they need, while maintaining your status as their first call.

It makes you the single point of contact for everything. And, like Miranda Priestly, you’re indispensable.

That’s all.

Join the conversation

Want to explore this and other topics you care about with Microsoft and other US partners? Head over to the Microsoft Americas Partner Community on LinkedIn.

¹ Newswire | Consumer Trust in Online, Social and Mobile Advertising Grows | Nielsen

Microsoft Security Threat Protection Partner Sales Guide

Leverage this sales guide* designed to support your conversations with customers about Microsoft Security, specifically Threat Protection. Use the navigation to quickly and easily find the information you’re looking for, beginning with the Microsoft Security Story before diving deeper into Threat Protection and customer offers.

*Available in English only.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to:  #AllRoles #Event #GrowYourBiz #BizApps

Cross-skilling bootcamp for Dynamics GP partners

Get started on the journey from Microsoft Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central. At Directions North America we’ll be offering an exclusive training opportunity on April 7–9 designed to help you cross-skill your Dynamics GP employees into Business Central.

Learn more about the bootcamp.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #SalesAndMktg #BestPractice #AccelerateDeals #CrossSolution

Drive sales with Microsoft CloudAscent

CloudAscent is a data-driven tool that utilizes machine learning to provide Microsoft partners with valuable insights into their existing customer base. Use CloudAscent to identify which customers are ready to purchase Microsoft products—and focus on delivering the solutions they need.

Learn more about CloudAscent and check out the training videos available to partners and indirect providers.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #AllRoles #Event #GrowYourBiz #Azure #CrossSolution

Co-marketing webinar: How cloud drives innovation

Join Armanino’s Chris Moore and Microsoft’s Mike Ehrenberg for this March 20 webinar* exploring how cloud technologies and AI-driven innovations are transforming businesses. Don’t miss this chance to stay ahead in the digital landscape!

Learn more and register today.

*Delivered in English only.

Partner Sales Bootcamp for Secure Productivity

Organizations are looking to boost productivity with AI, but face challenges protecting their data while managing multiple productivity tools and complex hybrid environments.

Microsoft 365 E3 helps customers jumpstart their generative AI transformations with AI-powered productivity. Best-in-class productivity apps provide a solid base for the best AI experience with Microsoft 365 Copilot. The recommended zero-trust security foundations help protect identities, devices, applications, and data.

This four-hour virtual bootcamp on March 25 will help you prepare to successfully pitch Microsoft 365 E3 and unlock new business growth potential. Learn more and register today.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to:  #AllRoles #News #GrowYourBiz #ModernWork #CrossSolution

Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat

Organizations of all sizes are looking to scale their AI transformation and realize the enterprise-wide ROI that comes with broad adoption of Microsoft 365 Copilot.

Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat adds pay-as-you-go agents to our existing free chat experience for Microsoft 365 commercial customers. Moving forward, every organization will have a mix of Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot—our best-in-class offering—to drive AI transformation at scale.

Learn more in this blog and check out these partner resources:

• Microsoft 365 Copilot partner page

• Microsoft 365 Copilot Partner Opportunities deck

• Microsoft 365 Copilot FAQ for Partners

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to:  #AllRoles #WinFormula #LearnSolutionAreas #Security

Security Solution Assessment

How much do you know about your cybersecurity posture?

Our data-driven self-assessment will provide answers and actionable insights into your actual Cloud Security position.

Learn more and leverage this Self-Service Security Assessment for your customer today.

Solutions Partner designations recognize partners who demonstrate deep knowledge, extensive experience, and proven success delivering Microsoft solutions. Aligned to specific solution areas, designations are designed to help you stand out from the competition and increase your customer reach.

This blog highlights need-to-know information for Microsoft partners interested in learning how to attain designations and specializations in the following solution areas:

Solutions Partner designations have replaced legacy silver/gold competencies. Note that the last day to purchase or renew silver/gold competencies was January 21, 2025. For more information, see the Legacy silver and gold benefits FAQ.

To learn more about the requirements for attaining a Solutions Partner designation, visit the training gallery, the Solutions Partner designations partner page, and this Solutions Partner designations overview.

Introducing SMB paths for Solutions Partner designation for Azure

Available now, the new SMB paths provide a way for partners serving customers in the SMB space to attain a Solutions Partner designation for Azure within the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program.

Azure partners will be assigned to either the SMB or Enterprise path—never both.

Criteria

• SMB path: Partners who are driving less than USD1 million and have 80% or more of their customers in the SMB/SMC segment will qualify on the SMB path.
• Enterprise path: Partners who are driving more than USD1 million or who are driving less than USD1 million and have more than 20% of their customers in the Enterprise segment will qualify on the Enterprise path.

You will see your aligned path in Partner Center and your progress toward attainment for that path only.

Review the Azure SMB paths walking deck for qualification and attainment details for both paths.

If you attain a Solutions Partner designation for Azure via the SMB path, you will be eligible for all relevant benefits and incentives, including any new benefits added to the Solutions Partner designation.

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Solutions Partner designation for Modern Work

There are two pathways to attaining a Solutions Partner designation for Modern Work: Enterprise and SMB. To learn more, see these campaign assets and this overview.

The latest partner benefits offerings from the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, including Solutions Partner designation, are designed to help supercharge your business growth. Read the blog Grow your business with updated partner benefits to learn more.

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Solutions Partner with certified software designation

There two pathways to attaining a Solutions Partner with certified software designation: solution areas and Industry AI. These designations provide you with differentiation in the market, customer trust, and access to enhanced go-to-market, sales, and marketing benefits.

To achieve a pathway, partners must demonstrate readiness with a transactable offer, a technical review of software, and a demonstrated track record of customer success. Learn more in this overview and follow this learning path.

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Solutions Partner designation for Security

Geopolitics, cryptocurrency, and the cloud are reshaping security—and security is shaping the world. Your customers need end-to-end security to serve a hybrid workforce, so we’ve curated resources and sales plays to help you serve the more than 785,000 customers who trust Microsoft Security solutions.

To attain a Solutions Partner designation for Security, your partner capability score for security must meet the qualification requirements. The partner capability score is measured by partner performance, skilling, and customer success, and is informed by data that is already recorded in Partner Center.

To learn more about how to attain this designation, see the Solutions Partner for Security walking deck and the Security Partner Playbook.

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Solutions Partner designation for Business Applications

Partners who attain a Solutions Partner designation for Business Applications demonstrate a broad capability to deliver solutions with Dynamics 365 and Power Platform. To learn more, see this overview.

Biz Apps Partner Digital Summit is a series of free modules featuring Microsoft leadership discussing initiatives and programs available to partners, along with biz apps partners explaining how they have successfully put these opportunities to work.  Register here to view the Solutions Partner Designations module, or any of the other modules listed, on demand. 

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Join the conversation

Want to explore this and other topics you care about with Microsoft and other US partners? Head over to the Microsoft Americas Partner Community on LinkedIn.

No Slides Attached: Season 2 recap on security challenges

How do you build trust in a world where AI is evolving so quickly? Data is the fuel for AI, but data also needs to be protected. Season 2, Episode 10 recaps conversations with partners from across the Americas about the role security plays in their industry. Revisit these compelling discussions with partner leaders on the security challenges in an age of AI innovation.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #AllRoles #Event #GrowSkills #BizApps #CrossSolution

March 12: Americas Partner Insider Call
March 13: Americas Partner Insider Call, BizApps edition

Register here for the next Americas Partner Insider Call, the next in a series focused on helping you use Microsoft 365 Copilot to accelerate growth. Featured topics include: Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat and the Agent partner opportunity, Understanding the spectrum of Agents and the consumption model, and a Copilot Studio deep dive.

To explore other topics, see the list of previous sessions available to watch on demand.

Register here for our first Americas Partner Insider Call, Biz Apps edition. In this session, we’ll provide a demo of our transform portal, followed by a discussion on Co-op best practices and on designations, specializations, and certifications.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #AllRoles #BestPractice #GrowYourBiz #Azure

AI ROI transaction models

Azure AI offers a robust return on investment (ROI) by enabling organizations to leverage advanced AI models for various use cases, such as writing assistance, code generation, and data reasoning. The transaction models include options like pay-as-you-go billing, allowing businesses to access AI capabilities without the need for extensive infrastructure. By integrating Azure AI into their operations, your customers can enhance productivity, streamline processes, and drive innovation.

Learn more about Azure AI Foundry and get your customers started with Azure today.

Have you noticed our hashtags?

We use unique hashtags across our Microsoft Americas Partner communications channels—including blogs, emails, social posts, and Insider Call presentations—so you know what each communication is about and can easily find content that’s relevant and of interest to you.

Watch this short video to learn more.
Take a look at our hashtag taxonomy.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #SalesAndMarketing #DoingBizwMSFT #AccelerateDeals #CrossSolution

Copilot for Microsoft 365 Excellence Workshop

To help accelerate your sales cycle, these one-on-one Microsoft-led training sessions are crafted for your customers that are eager to expand Microsoft 365 Copilot within their organization and scale their AI strategy. You’re invited to attend as well!

Nominate your customer through the Partner-led Sales Resource (PLSR) form today.

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to: #AllRoles #Event #GrowSkills #Azure

Introduction to Microsoft Fabric

Are you a data professional? A developer? A business analyst?

Join us online on March 13 as we explore the core components and capabilities of Microsoft Fabric, a powerful platform designed to simplify and accelerate the development of analytics applications. Don’t miss this deep dive into how to build robust analytics applications that can transform raw data into actionable insights.

Learn more and register here.

Meet the new Microsoft Americas GTM leader

We’re thrilled to share that Lori Borg has joined the Microsoft Americas GPS team as the new Vice President of Americas Go-to-Market Strategy! With more than 25 years of experience building, leading, and innovating within the Microsoft partner ecosystem, Lori brings a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm to her new role.

Join us in congratulating and welcoming Lori to the team!

Partner Audience: #AllPartners
Relevant to:  #SuccessStory #GrowSkills #CrossSolution

No Slides Attached: Season 2 recap on the ideas shaping tomorrow

What is something that AI hasn’t achieved yet, but we might see in the foreseeable future? Season 2, Episode 9 of the podcast No Slides Attached: AI Stories with Microsoft Partners is a special recap episode featuring insights from our partners across industries in response to this and other common questions surrounding the impact of AI. Revisit their predictions on the groundbreaking potential of AI in various fields, from healthcare to financial services to public safety and more.

Partner Audience:  #CSP
Relevant to:  #DoingBizwMSFT #GoToMarket #CrossSolution

Claim your eligible co-op funds before it’s too late

February 15, 2025, is the deadline for partners to claim co-op funds earned during FY24 H2 (January 2024 – June 2024). Note that co-op funds do not roll over from one usage period to the next.

See the FY25 Co-op blog for more information and other important dates.

Partner Audience:  #AllPartners
Relevant to: #AllRoles #Event #GrowSkills #CrossSolution

Enhance everyday business practices with the power of AI

Join experts from PrenticeWorx and Microsoft for an informative discussion on harnessing the power of AI for cost-effective, efficient data management. Together we’ll explore how customized AI-driven tools from Microsoft can help you overcome fractured data solutions to enhance business operations with a cohesive AI adoption strategy.

Register now for this one-hour digital event on February 20.

Note that this event will be delivered in English only.

We kicked off FY25 with the launch of No Slides Attached: AI Stories with Microsoft Partners, an exciting new podcast designed for partners who want to learn from the inspiring stories of their peers.

Season 1 focused on how our Microsoft Copilots are already transforming businesses. In Season 2, we’re building on that momentum, diving even deeper into AI innovation across industries.

Season 2 features in-depth conversations with some of the brilliant minds behind AI transformations across key industries—from financial services to education, healthcare, retail, and more.

Look for our second recap coming soon on the role of security across industries.

Season 2 recap on the impact of AI

What is something that AI hasn’t achieved yet, but we might see in the foreseeable future? Season 2, Episode 9 is a special recap episode featuring insights from our partners across industries in response to this and other common questions surrounding the impact of AI.

In Season 2, hosts Helane Cohen and Fede Pacheco asked seven partners from all around the Americas to share their perspectives on how AI is transforming their industries. In this recap, we revisit their predictions on the groundbreaking potential of AI in various fields.

Discover how AI might soon be used to prescribe treatments based on DNA, create a more equitable college admissions process, and reduce the number of police fatalities through cutting-edge technology.

To learn more about the ideas shaping tomorrow, see the full list of Season 2 episodes below.

Season 2 recap on security challenges

How do you build trust in a world where AI is evolving so quickly? Data is the fuel for AI, but data also needs to be protected. Season 2, Episode 10 recaps compelling conversations with partners from across the Americas about the role security plays in their industry.

Learn how healthcare organizations are “securing by design” to ensure compliance and protect patient data; retail is combating the rise of cybersecurity threats in the age of hybrid shopping; and government agencies are adopting security principles that support responsible innovation and protect digital evidence.

To hear more about security challenges and other insights from industry leaders, see the full list of Season 2 episodes below.

Season 2 episodes

View all episodes from both seasons.

Take a break

Need a breather from all the emails, meetings, and presentations? Connect on the go to get invaluable insights from industry experts and their inspiring stories.

Subscribe today to listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts:

YouTube* | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | RSS

*With closed captions in Spanish, Portuguese, and French.

Join the conversation

Want to explore this and other topics you care about with Microsoft and other US partners? Head over to the Microsoft Americas Partner Community on LinkedIn.