After today, I’ll be on holiday vacation for the remainder of 2009 and hope to swing back into blogging mode the first week of January 2010. In today’s post, I wanted to highlight ten key initiatives, announcements and/or programs. Five of them will be from the past 12 months, while the others will focus on what to watch for in 2010.

2009

• In January, we launched the Microsoft Dynamics Partner Community team. You can connect with us through our website, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Radio Show.
• Throughout the year, we’ve achieved some great customer wins! Listen to some of them here:
• Century Payments
• Microvision
• Suntron
• Between March through August, new and improved versions of the Microsoft Dynamics Partner Playbooks were published. The ERP/CRM Partner and ISV Playbooks provide partners single source guides with information and links to the most current tools and resources available for Microsoft Dynamics.
• At Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference we announced enhancements to the Microsoft Dynamics partner channel program, a critical step in more fully capturing the existing market opportunity for integrated ERP and CRM solutions.
• In November, we kicked off a new Microsoft Dynamics Advertising campaign designed to build awareness with prospective customers in the Manufacturing, Retail, Professional Services, Government and Financial Services industries about how Microsoft Dynamics ERP and Microsoft Dynamics CRM solutions fit their business and drive efficiencies.

2010

• Microsoft Dynamics GP 11 is expected to launch in the early part of the year. Register for an upcoming web seminar taking place on January 13 to learn more.
• Save the date and join us for Convergence 2010 Atlanta April 24-27. Registration begins on January 6.
• Microsoft Dynamics US Partner Training offers several classes throughout the Winter – Spring 2010 training schedule. We are committed to holding courses with 6 or more individuals enrolled. Additionally, Gold partners receive 25% off and Certified partner receive 15% off on the Partner Academy courses that have a certification tied to it.
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM "V.Next" is targeted for release in 2010. We expect to update the Statement of Direction for Microsoft Dynamics CRM document with further details periodically.
• In the springtime we hope to merge our Microsoft Dynamics Partner Community with the overall Microsoft Dynamics Community to provide partners, customers and prospects with an integrated hub for networking and community generated information.

Well, that’s a wrap. Have a safe and happy holiday season, and we’ll catch up again in 2010!!!

--Kevin

We have several new and upcoming partner classroom training opportunities starting in the new year.

Business Management Workshop

• This intensive 3-day workshop is designed for business owners who want to optimize day-to-day operations.
• Learn about the terminology, methods, and skills you need to effectively manage business strategy, resources, lead generation, sales, and financials on an ongoing basis.

Marketing Workshop

• This one-day hands-on workshop is designed for business owners and marketing managers and staff who want to learn key marketing principles and processes.
• Develop effective marketing strategies to successfully generate demand for your software and services.

Managing Projects with Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step Methodology

• This 2-day workshop is designed to teach project managers, practice managers, and consultants how to use the Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step Methodology and tools to effectively manage Microsoft Dynamics implementation projects.

You can view the complete schedule on PartnerSource.

--Kevin

This one-day class will provide tips and tricks for Microsoft Dynamics GP 11 customer conversations, and help you build the right marketing messages. This class is designed to help you better position and sell Microsoft Dynamics GP 11 and provide customers and prospects details on the product strengths.

This class is not a technical readiness class where implementation issues will be addressed. That training will be available online in March, 2010, on the Partner Learning Center.

You will Learn:

• Key messaging pillars of Microsoft Dynamics GP 11
• Key new functionalities what will help customers collaborate better, make better decisions, and save money
• How to effectively show Microsoft Dynamics GP 11
• How and when to use the latest Demomates
• How to navigate the latest Virtual PC image of the application including related MS technologies like Microsoft Office SharePoint and Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Click here to view the complete training schedule and to register.

--Kevin

We are pleased to announce the availability of Sure Step 2010 to our Microsoft Dynamics partner community! In the spirit of providing continual enhancements in collaboration capabilities, increased partner productivity and improved customer satisfaction, this major upgrade includes the following features that align with Microsoft Dynamics product strategies and roadmap:

• Industry and Cross-Product Content - Positioning and deploying Microsoft Dynamics solutions in a given Industry or its related segments. Industry Pilots for AX Process Manufacturing and CRM Public Sector including the launch of an Industry Playbook for solution selling. Also available will be guidance on xRM platform due-diligence and deployment.
• Agile Project Type – The addition of this project type which will be especially suitable for implementations where the Microsoft Dynamics solution is positioned as a platform rather than as a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) system.
• Organizational Change Management Discipline – New guidance on managing organizational change, to address this common challenge in any ERP or CRM deployment.
• ISV Guidance – New content that applies to ISV solution positioning and deployment and engagement with the VARs and SIs during sales and implementation. Also, introducing Certified for Microsoft Dynamics alignment recommendations.
• Enhancements to the Diagnostic Phase including a link between Sure Step and Unleash Your Potential, an Industry Playbook to assist the Sales Roles focused on selling Microsoft Dynamics solutions catered to a specific industry/vertical, a consolidated set of Decision Accelerator Offerings, estimation tools and an enhanced ROI calculator.
• Enhancements to the Optimization Offerings including further alignment and integration to Support and Services from Microsoft and additional proactive and post go-live offerings.
• Enhanced SharePoint integration provides improved collaboration and project tracking capabilities for Sales, Implementation and Optimization engagements.
• This, in addition, to new, updated templates to support the latest Microsoft Dynamics releases!

Continue investing in Sure Step and get to know and love Sure Step 2010! Visit Sure Step on PartnerSource for updated training and readiness resources to help you get started and continue your adoption of Sure Step.

--Kevin

UPDATE - There are several upcoming Sure Step web seminars coming in 2010. You can check out the schedule on PartnerSource.

We are announcing TWO INCENTIVE OPPORTUNITIES for U.S.-based Sales Account Executives (SAEs) enrolled in the Microsoft Dynamics Sales Professional Community to earn great prizes for your net new Microsoft Dynamics GP customer additions. These incentives are designed to drive sales momentum now and build demand for the upcoming Microsoft Dynamics GP 11.0 release.

• INCENTIVE 1: The first twenty-five (25) SAEs to add a Microsoft Dynamics GP new customer between December 15, 2009 and December 31, 2009 will win a Dell Inspiron netbook preloaded with Microsoft Dynamics GP sales and marketing tools to help you ready yourself for the launch of Microsoft Dynamics GP 11.
  
• INCENTIVE 2: For every two (2) net new Microsoft Dynamics GP customers added between December 15, 2009 and February 26, 2010 your name will be entered into a drawing for a luxury five-night trip for two adults to your choice of one of the following destinations:
• Paris, France
• Putan Cana, Dominican Republic
• Ochos Rio, Jamaica

Both sweepstakes are for US-based partners only and participants must be enrolled in the Sales Professional Community prior to December 31, 2009 to be eligible.

For additional details and the official rules click here.

--Kevin

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Software Advisor "Fuel Your Growth" Program! Grow Microsoft Dynamics CRM revenue more than 10% from October 5, 2009 to February 26, 2010 compared to the same timeframe last fiscal year.

Earn an additional CSA fee of 10% of the underlying eligible revenue for which CSA claims have been made.

Click here for complete details.

--Kevin

Microsoft is happy to partner with Salesworks, Inc, to provide these 3½-day workshops designed for account executives and sales managers who are responsible for closing new customer opportunities. You’ll participate in a highly experiential program of skills development, process improvement, and coaching guidance to develop effective methods of identifying, qualifying, and closing complex ERP/CRM sales leads.

Learn how to:

• Eliminate competitors early in the selling process
• Understand the "Technology Buying Cycle" and its impact on buying decisions
• Identify and quantify prospect pain points in business drivers and applications by functional area
• Convert pain points into tangible business case elements that impact prospect ROI or cash flow metrics
• Create an unfair competitive advantage
• Create a "Strategic Tipping Point" at the front end of the sales cycle
• Move from a "committee" to an "executive sponsorship" engagement model
• Position sales employees as value-added, trusted advisors
• Improve demonstration and presentation skills
• Create and present winning sales proposals

You’ll receive a comprehensive set of course materials, including proposal and presentation templates, sales process action plans, and supporting "best practices" documents, as well as access to interactive Web-based reinforcement tools to support learning integration.

Workshops are conducted in a classroom setting with time for individual coaching and group discussion. To reinforce concepts, the workshop approach uses a realistic case study and fosters a competitive team environment.

Dates and Cities

• January 25 - 28, 2010, in Chicago, IL
• March 22 - 25, 2010, in Irvine, CA
• March 22 - 25, 2010, in Reston, VA
• May 3 - 6, 2010, in Dallas, TX

Click here to Learn More or Register.

--Kevin

Microsoft understands that there are costs associated with adding customers to a new service like Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online. The "No Deal Left Behind" promotion aims to support the efforts of Microsoft Dynamics CRM CSA Certified Partners who are actively investing to establish Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online practices by paying out a minimum of $1,000 in CSA fees for new Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online contracts signed between December 1, 2009 and March 26, 2010.

This is a supplement to bring participating partners’ minimum 12‐month CSA payout up to $1000. The promotion’s objective is to reward partners that engage in all Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online opportunities, big and small.

Click here to view the Detailed FAQ.

--Kevin

Demand for solutions built on the Microsoft Dynamics xRM platform is accelerating exponentially around the world. Customers and partners alike are harnessing the power of Microsoft Dynamics xRM to rapidly build relational line-of-business applications. In today’s economy, understanding the capabilities and value of Microsoft Dynamics xRM is critical to our success. So, we’re here to help

Attend this three day offering to understand the out of the box features and functionality of Microsoft Dynamics XRM. In this course, you will also:

• Learn to apply CRM to varied, unique industry-specific business requirements
• Customize CRM entities, relationships, security, forms, views, workflows, and scripts for different business sectors
• Discuss dashboards, custom reports, views, and use Excel as a reporting tool including Pivot Tables
• Learn how to extend the CRM platform with plug-ins, custom workflows, IFrames and integration with other internal and external applications (e.g. SharePoint and ISV products) to create solutions specific to common industries
• Understand CRM Security and System Administration
• Acquire a high-level understanding of CRM deployment architecture considerations including topology, relationship with Active Directory and Exchange Server, scalability, and failover

Schedule

• January 12 - 14, 2010, in Atlanta, Georgia
• February 9 - 11, 2010, in Chicago, Illinois
• February 23 - 25, 2010, in Irvine, California

Click here to register.

--Kevin

Microsoft is pleased to extend the Business Ready Flexible Pay for Microsoft Dynamics promotion available in United States, United Kingdom, Hungary, Portugal, Italy and Brazil.

This offering reduces your customer’s upfront investment through predictable and affordable annual payments which can help optimize their cash flow and improve IT budget management. Microsoft is listening to customers and is actively enabling them to preserve capital resources while making strategic investments in their future. Implementing Microsoft Dynamics and taking advantage of their Business Ready Enhancement Plan helps customers increase their productivity and maximize their return on investment.

Importantly, based on partner feedback, we’re excited to announce a change in the terms of the program to allow more of our partners to participate in this offer. By providing a new rebate to partners of 50% on Year 1 license as well as new revenue credits for partner discount tier attainment, we hope that more partners will realize the financial benefits to their operations as well as to the customers. Click on the presentations on PartnerSource for more information on the changes to the program.

On PartnerSource you will see a host of marketing materials to help you position this offer to your customers. In these documents you will find the full set of details, terms and conditions. You can link directly to the required agreements and webcast training on the website as well.

--Kevin