Marketing for Microsoft Partners

Changing Blog URL - Please Update Feed Subscription

Hi, please update your bookmarks..  I am migrating the partner marketing blog to the following address:

Subscribe:  http://feeds.feedburner.com/mheald

Blog Address:  http://blogs.msdn.com/mheald

Thanks and apologies for the inconvenience

Visit the Partner Hub and get up to speed on the biggest launch event of the year!

With the Australia-wide Heroes Happen {2008} launch events about to kick off in Sydney in February, you’ll want to make sure you’re up to speed on the new server products – Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008. The WAVE hub is designed to be your one-stop-shop for all the training, sales and marketing materials you need to make the most of the launch opportunities. The hub also features a Blog Aggregator displaying the latest information and commentary from around the world including webcasts, case studies, tools, playbooks and personal opinions. Use these valuable resources to make sure your expertise is up to scratch so you can offer the best possible business solutions to your customers.

>>Visit the Heroes Happen {2008} hub now!

Improving the Windows Vista experience for you and your customers

Microsoft is always looking for ways to improve our programs and products to help Partners sustain business profitability for long-term success. We have been working hard to improve Microsoft Windows Vista, culminating in the upcoming Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Here’s what you can expect from us over the next few months:

· Delivery of Microsoft Windows Vista Business with SP1 via a Special Action Pack shipment to Partners soon after SP1 RTM. The kit will include full-install licence keys (not upgrade)

· One full-install licence key for Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1 for internal use. We plan for this software to be delivered in your regular Action Pack quarterly update (April/May 2008).

• A set of readiness resources to enable you to sell and support Windows Vista solutions for your SMB customers as Windows Vista momentum builds with the release of SP1.
• Exciting incentives and promotions that reward you for learning, using and selling Windows Vista.

Now is the time for Windows Vista, for both Partners and your customers, and we’re making it easier than ever for you to learn, use and sell Windows Vista.

How Can Partners Get Ready for Windows Vista SP1?

· Download and install Windows Vista SP1 RC1.

· Learn more about Windows Vista and SP1 here. <link to: https://partner.microsoft.com/global/productssolutions/windows/vista>

*Windows Vista Release Candidate will install only on systems already running Windows Vista. For more information on installing the Release Candidate, click here. <link to: https://partner.microsoft.com/global/productssolutions/windows/vista

Are You On the UC Bandwagon?

For a summary view of Microsoft Unified Communications please follow the link below:

Microsoft Unified Communications technologies can help our customers integrate telephone-based tasks such as phone calls, voicemail and conferencing with computer-based tasks such as documentation, spreadsheets, instant messaging, email and calendars. It's simple, streamlined and highly scalable. Read More

blu. Connect With Your Marketing Peers

blu. is a platform developed specifically for the marketing professional as a single interface to manage a diverse suite of digital and interactive marketing solutions.

Developed by BlueArc and powered by IgnitionSuite,  BlueArc’s flagship Web Content Management System, the blu. platform enables advertisers and publishers to collaborate with internal teams and external suppliers on the development and analysis of digital marketing campaigns – from strategy to design, mobile and email campaigns, search engine optimisation and marketing, as well as analytics.

The scalable and sophisticated .NET based architecture of IgnitionSuite, together with the highly skilled team of BlueArc developers provided a platform on which blu. could seamlessly integrate BlueFreeway’s extended technology offerings.

Register for blu.

MarketingSherpa Offer Now Available to all Certified and Gold Certified Partners

This is a great resource and covers some great articles including:

• Special Report: Viral Marketing 2006 - Benchmark Data, Practical Tips & Biggest Change
• How to Use Geotargeting to Find Your Best Customers - 5 Strategies & Pitfalls to Avoid
• How to Market Yourself & Your Company on Facebook - 11 Steps & Strategies

We have opened this offer to ALL Certified and Gold Certified Partners.  Visit the MarketingSherpa Portal page for more details on how to join before 31 January 2008.  You may also refer 3 other people in your company to join.

What is Marketing Sherpa?

Since 2000, MarketingSherpa has been tracking what works—and what doesn't―in all aspects of marketing to help subscribing business leaders improve their results. Hundreds of companies have leveraged MarketingSherpa's case studies and extensive research to help them create effective campaigns and maximize customer reach.

For a limited time, Microsoft Certified and Gold Certified partners are eligible for a free one-year online subscription to MarketingSherpa. Take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to boost your marketing efforts and drive more revenue before January 31, 2008.

As a valued Microsoft Certified or Gold Certified competency partner, your company is eligible for up to three online subscriptions to MarketingSherpa. This offer will end January 31, 2008. Sign up today to take advantage of this exclusive opportunity.

Register for Heroes Happen {2008} – THE biggest launch event of the year! (Australia Only)

The launch of Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 represents the largest outreach to IT professionals and developers in the history of Microsoft.

As a Microsoft Partner, the launch represents an opportunity for you to become a "hero" to your customers, who will be relying on your expertise to help guide them through the implementation of these three products.

The upcoming Partner Heroes Happen {2008} launch event is a complimentary evening session that has been created exclusively for Partners and will follow the daytime Customer event across six capital. The Partner event is designed to highlight the benefits of the much awaited new products and provide guidance to help you capitalise on launch opportunities. It will feature a keynote and three optional tracks which you will be asked to select from based on your business priorities.

Places are limited, so secure your spot today!

Register Here

Viral Marketing: Spread Your Business Name Like Wildfire

What is viral marketing and how do companies benefit from this strategy? Viral marketing is strategy that works well in the Internet, where a marketing message can easily and quickly grow from small to very big without spending as much for advertising purposes. This article talk about how you can spread your business name on the Internet - using viral marketing:

Read More

Happy New Year!!

Time Management Strategies that Work

Although our world can seem cash rich and time poor, in reality we have more than enough time.

Find out more.

Martin Gregory, Director of Server & Tools discusses the Server 2008 opportunity - Podcast

“Microsoft’s Director of Server & Tools, Martin Gregory, was recently interviewed by Ian Yates of ITRadio regarding the latest updates around some of Microsoft’s newest technologies, including Windows Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2008. With the recent availability of Windows Server 2008 RC1, the focus of the interview is the latest features and capabilities of the new server, with Martin highlighting the four key pillars of the new technology – web, security, virtualisation and the solid foundation for enterprise workloads.”

Listen

Innovate On Windows Mobile Has Gone Live!!!

Innovate On Win Mobile features great benefits such as up to $800 worth of testing vouchers and 5 hours of Email-based support.  The navigation and initial enrollment form have been streamlined and provide easy access to great content.

ACTION:  Please visit http://www.innovateonwindowsmobile.com

Fastlane in Brisbane - Marketing with Techies

What a night..  as part of our December Partner Marketing Roadshow (now called Fastlane) our focus is around Server 2008 technologies.  Agenda included Bruce Rasmussen from Carpe Diem who focused on how to sell and position 2008 technologies.  I came on stage and presented sales and marketing i.e. campaigns, launch etc.  Then we had Dean Calvert on stage presenting the bits and bites of Server 2008.  Overall it was a good session with approximately 50 attendee's.. and these people were very technical in nature but I believe adding marketing in the mix provided good variety - and will hopefully help them create demand - increasing their bottom line.

Stay tuned as we will be promoting the 'Server 2008 partner roadshow' kicking off in Sydney on February 28th.  You will need to RSVP fast as we only have room for 1,700 attendee's across Australia.  So stay tuned via the partner portal:  www.microsoft.com/partner/australia

Here are a few photos from the night:

Kim Partridge - Hats off to her as she organised the event and did an amazing job!
yes, this is me presenting the sales and marketing session for Server 2008
Dean Calvert from Calvert Technologies.  One of our MVP partners who volunteered to travel on the road with us and present Server 2008 from a partner perspective - great session and feedback!

Trying to Find a Partner Event in Australia?

We heard your feedback!  We recently launched a one stop shop to find partner events i.e. marketing etc.  Give it a go - click your state and look at the upcoming events.

https://partner.microsoft.com/Australia/40040462

WIN $10,000 of marketing collateral with Unified Communications

According to Frost & Sullivan, demand for Microsoft Unified Communications technology is already enormous in Australia - with the market anticipated to be worth AUD$415million in FY08* ensure you're ready to make the most of this promotion, Microsoft has developed a wide range of online collateral - including training modules, customisable sales and marketing resources and more.
* "Frost & Sullivan Enterprise Telephony Market 2006"
>> Check out the campaign website