The Technet group has always been able to get to the grass roots and this month is no exception. Check out their latest newsletter for local events, webcasts, tips & tricks. This month they have the latest on the Thrive Series, the Interop Road Show...

Microsoft is giving away 3 FREE professionally-written case studies, written by Wes Rataushk & Associates, one of the vendors available as part of Microsoft’s Ready-to-Go Marketing Services . Partners that register for and attend the May 14th online...

Great opportunity for Chicago area partners! Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, will be the keynote speaker at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Annual meeting on June 18, 2009 @ 7:45am. As an added bonus, we have also just learned that the IL Governor,...

Part 3 of a 3 part series Also Check out Part I and Part 2 Promoting your events requires a plan. Sending out an invitation is not enough, you must leverage all of your resources and promote the event from all angles. Following are 10 areas tI encourage...

Part 2 of a 3 part series - Part I can be referenced here Now that we have the partnering aspect down, the next order of business is the design of a compelling message that will attract the right audience to your event. Remember --- It's all about...

I was reflecting on how I can give back and serve and re-connected to how much Microsoft positively impacts the community. From the top down, all employees give on a very regular basis - whether through regular draws from our paychecks to the organization...

Microsoft is giving away $10,000 in the month of May. Check this out http://www.microsoftgameplan.com/uspartner/ First, you need to check out the Microsoft gamePLAN campaign. I blogged this in early March, it's a new campaign that focus on helping...

1. Connect with your local and corporate Microsofties. 2. Product Roadmaps---experience the latest technology and learn how to sell the value to your customers/prospects. 3. Connect with other synergistic partners to drive business opportunities...

Here is a summary of sales offers designed for small and midsize organizations for May 2009. Please be sure to check www.MicrosoftIncentives.com for all the latest information on Microsoft sales offers. We hear often that partners want a good, current...

As promised in my first blog, I want to call out some exciting new training packages. My Partner Readiness team has developed Microsoft Learning Packages, designed to help our V alue A dded R esellers to grow their businesses. Getting started is simple...

Connecting with other partners is the greatest opportunity for you to grow your business. Consider this your local economic stimulus plan - the IAMCP has driven $6.6 BILLION in Partner-to-Partner revenue since its inception. And by not participating,...

Hi Central Region Partners, I am Scott Akin, Regional Enablement Director for the Central Region. So, what is a Regional Enablement Director and why should partners care? Well, I am responsible for the training programs and events, online and live...

Hello from Chicago O’Hare airport. I’ve been through a lot of airports lately – doing market visits across the North Central Area. From Licensing Boot Camps to Partner Briefings, I have been lucky to meet many of you over the past several months. Last...

I have just come across a new resource that I think all of you partners in the Central Region should be aware of. John Weston, DPE IT PRO Evangelist in the Central Region here at Microsoft and many other TechNet IT Pros have put together a very unique...

Part 1 of a 3 part series Ask any marketer... One of the most challenging pieces of event marketing is driving attendance... Face to face marketing via seminar events gives technology companies an incredible opportunity to drive multiple interactions...

http://mspartners.marketingprofs.com/ This is one of my go to marketing tools at Microsoft. It's the Partner Business Network, it's got marketing resources, tips and tricks, and some great webcasts and articles. Why I like it? A couple reasons, 1-...

I'm Andy McNulty, Microsoft Partner Community Manager for Midwest Area (IL, IN, WI). What I want to share with you today is a great example of how a pipeline deal that was 'dead' was revitalized using new MS licensing options and incentives and closed...

So, I hear you get a lot of mail from Microsoft. I thought I might be able to help you sort, filter and understand some of the mail you receive. First and foremost, the best way to stay connected to Microsoft and receive the communications most...

So last week we talked fame, let's talk fortune! I was hoping in this post, I'd be able to tell you for fortune to spend a weekend in Las Vegas. Sadly, for me, a weekend in Las Vegas was not the solution for fortune. Back to my original plan for sharing...

So – I have two big problems. One – the weather in MN. Two – getting partners to make that first step with Local Engagement. And since I am sitting on the deck of a house in Florida – you know I have taken care of problem #1. But I can’t escape...

When Lesley mentioned getting fame yesterday in her blog by receiving a Microsoft Partner award at WPC it occured to me that we should give you some more information around registering for WPC. It's that time again when the buzz around Microsoft and...

How to achieve Fame in the Central Region: The Central Region Partner team award partners on a semesterly basis for showcasing achievements around areas like partner with other partners, marketing excellence, compete scenarios, sales excellence and...

Welcome to the Central Region Partner blog! My name is Lesley Rubin and I’m a Regional Marketing Manager for the Central Region. I work with the Partner Community Managers and the TPAM’S (Tele Partner Account Managers), to support VAR'S that sell through...

Welcome to the Central Region Partner Blog! We are excited to launch this forum to support your Microsoft business in the Central Region and listen to your feedback. We’ll post regularly, and we hope you’ll visit often. This economy continues to pose...