SBSC Promoted in Windows Vista SMB Supplement

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At a number of the recent WESS launch User Group meetings I have talked about how using PR and case studies as a tool can raise the profile of Small Business Specialist partners. I had mentioned to some that a couple of SBSC partners recently contributed to an SMB supplement that has gone out in a number of big name publications including Vista Magazine, What Laptop, PC Plus, Computer Arts, 3D World and .NET magazine. In total these magazines have a subscription base of 203,240 people!

I am delighted to say that the SMB supplement has now shipped and I am able to share with you how the SBSC has been promoted.

Firstly, we have managed to get a whole page dedicated to Microsoft Small Business Specialists, entitled "Meet the Microsoft Business Experts - Microsoft's Small Business Specialists are here to help your business face its IT challenges".

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The article clearly points our that SBSC partners are "highly-trained professionals" who specialise in working with small businesses:

"The advantage of hiring a Microsoft-accredited expert is that you are not only getting someone who is trained to understand your business and software, you're also hiring the combined expertise of a thousand-strong community of specialists with the ideas and know-how to move your business forwards... Next time your business needs help, don't place your trust in and 'IT guy' - contact the Small Business Specialist Community and see what they can do for you."

There are two great case studies contained in the supplement given by SBSC customers. The first customer reference is a double page spread and given by Tim Long's (of TiGraNetworks) customer, St David Recruitment Services.

The customer talked about how Windows Vista search helps them stay on top of their client data. Here's a quote:

"The system at St David Recruitment Services was created by MVP and Small Business Specialist Community (SBSC) member Tim Long. The SBSC is a group of Microsoft-accredited experts who can help small businesses get their equipment set up."

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The second customer reference relating to SBSC partner engagement came from Mandy Thorn, Managing Director of Marches Care Ltd. Marches Care are a customer of SBSC Partner Paul Dadge, PC Paramedic Solutions. In this short piece, Mandy talked about how Paul's company has helped her grow her business and also offered an invaluable support service. This is a great quote provided by them:

"One of the key reasons we chose Paul was because he was a Microsoft Small Business Specialist. This means he came recommended by Microsoft, so we knew we were dealing with someone we could trust."

I would like to thank Tim and Paul for offering to take part in this promotional exercise. Not only have they raised the profile of their customers businesses and their own businesses too, but they have undoubtedly helped promote the community of Small Business Specialist partners to a huge audience. I think you will all agree this is a great benefit to every SBSC partner!