Partnering with Precision: And the Winners Are…

A Blog Series for U.S. Partners by Jenni Flinders, Microsoft U.S. Vice President, Partner Strategy and Programs.

We’ve all watched award winners on stage tearfully proclaim, “Really, I wouldn’t be up here accepting this award without the support and dedication of…” and then list those responsible for their success. It strikes me as something really special that, as we celebrate the 2012 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference Awards, the reverse is actually true in our Microsoft Partner Network.

For delivering best-in-class solutions that inspire us all to push beyond our perceived business, leadership, and creative limits: congratulations to this year’s winners and finalists, including U.S. Country Partner of the Year, Motion Computing! To flip the entertainment awards show cliché on its head, I believe that it’s our partners that drive Microsoft’s success.

If you didn’t enter your solution for a 2012 WPC Award, there are many compelling reasons to start thinking now about getting your business in the race next year. Think of the doors that open for the Academy Awards’ top recipients; winning is great, but what comes next in the way of opportunity is usually even greater. The same is true for our WPC Award recipients, as they continue to realize new business and customer opportunities through:

• Exclusive marketing support, including customized logos and web banners that help winners showcase their companies as honored Microsoft partners
• Wrap-around public relations and publicity resources, including custom press release templates to help promote award-winning status; trophies (winners) and plaques (finalists) to proudly showcase your success; increased market recognition; and photo opportunities with Microsoft executives at WPC 2012 in Toronto.
• Entry into an exclusive celebration during the Worldwide Partner Conference, where recipients will have valuable networking access to Microsoft executives in key business areas.

While we are impressed by the caliber and accomplishments of this year’s WPC Award honorees, I know firsthand that these partners are representative of the high level of commitment and innovation found throughout the entire Microsoft Partner Network. This is especially significant as we approach our largest year of product releases ever. It’s more critical than ever to have strong partners that have a real passion for exploring how new Microsoft products and technologies will impact and enhance their customers’ businesses, and I’m confident we have just that.

I love hearing how you plan to make the most of your time at the Conference—share your thoughts with me on Twitter @Jenni_Flinders. Next year, it might be your business getting an on-stage shout out! And, if you have not yet registered for WPC 2012, what are you waiting for?

WPC 2012 Awards – United States Winners

This year, U.S. partners won in 39 Partner of the Year Awards categories, plus the U.S. Country Partner of the Year. Congratulations to these companies and their employees!