You have spoken... we are listening: First 6 Month Review of the SBSC in the UK

 

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listen4We are listening...

As we enter a new calendar year, and approach a midyear check point in Microsoft’s financial year, now is as good a time as any to reflect on the Small Business Specialist Community (SBSC) and what we have achieved in 2008.

Over the past 6 months SBSC partners have been very open with Microsoft - sharing their thoughts, issues, concerns and recommendations around the SBSC programme. In response to this  valid feedback, Microsoft has listened and worked to address many of these areas.

This blog post aims to outline the main issues that you collectively raised in 2008 and demonstrates how Microsoft has responded. If you should have any queries around any of the items below, or would like more information please email sbscuk@microsoft.com.

  • SBSC Partners stated a variety of different expectations they have of Microsoft in relation to the SBSC programme.
  • Through the medium of the SBSC User group tour Microsoft responded with a clear set of expectations on what Microsoft can and cannot deliver on this fiscal year (July 2008 – June 2009). If you were not able to attend this session or have not received a copy of the slides please email sbscuk@microsoft.com for further details.
  • SBSC Partners requested Microsoft keep them up to date on product, licensing, partner programme news etc.
  • In response to these requests Microsoft has:
    • Created a Partner Programme RSS Feed for all partners to subscribe with the ability to select which areas are most relevant to them and their business. To learn more, go here.
    • Created an independent SBSC blog / RSS feed. The UK Partner Programme RSS Hub will link to the SBSC blog as this is a forum in which we can provide more details. To access the SBSC blog go here.
    • Conducted a review of the SBSC monthly newsletter and made steps to adjust the style, format and content to better meet the needs of the UK SBSC partner channel.
    • Committed to updating UK SBSC partners will all relevant Microsoft related information as they are empowered to do so through the use of the RSS feed, SBSC blog and SBSC newsletter.
  • SBSC Partners requested Microsoft do more to promote the SBSC blue badge out to end customers and to drive better awareness for the SBSC brand
  • Microsoft has already:
    • Included the SBSC logo on every page of all of our latest Small Business customer collateral, including the new Windows Essential Server Solutions brochures (available mid January 2009) and the Small Business Brochure
    • Promoted the SBSC in relevant PR communications – e.g. SMB supplement that went out to 203K subscribers for big name magazine publications like Vista Magazine, .NET magazine, What Laptop? Magazine etc, plus promotion a “small business challenges” website. Go here for more information.
    • Provided SBSC partners with guidance on how they can assist Microsoft in driving the SBSC brand through publicity. Go here for details.
    • Promoted SBSC through the “Ask the Experts” pages on Microsoft customer communication engines, reaching 800K small business customer contacts. Go here for more information.
    • Promoted SBSC on the Small Business customer facing blog.
    • Promoted the SBSC through the new Small Business News Feed. Go here for more information.
  • As we enter 2009, Microsoft is currently working on:
    • Creating data sheets to use at customer events to raise awareness of SBSC partners and how to find one – ready mid-January 2009.
    • Creating data sheet templates for partners to add their own contact details and print locally to promote themselves as SBSC partner – ready mid-January 2009.
    • Updating the customer facing web page which describes what an SBSC partner is, why they should consider using an SBSC partner and how they find one – ready mid-January 2009.
    • Putting together guidance on how best to promote yourself as members of the SBSC – available in early 2009

 

  • SBSC Partners requested that they be included in the Small Business Server 2008 launch and partner readiness plans.
  • Microsoft embarked on an SBSC user group tour to deliver SBS 2008 readiness. The decision was taken to cancel any large launch event and instead ensure we were reaching all the SBSC partners instead.
  • Microsoft heavily subsidised some SBS 2008 technical training courses which were offered out to SBSC partners first (via the SBSC blog).
  • Microsoft is looking at how we can launch SBS 2008 out to customers and also involve our SBSC partner channel. Further details on plans and progress will be shared over the coming months.
  • SBSC Partners requested assistance with Marketing, in particular a marketing 101 session
  • Microsoft enlisted the help of ResourceiT, a company who specialist in helping businesses with the development of marketing strategies and plans to help you grow your business. The feedback we received from these sessions was incredible, with more partners requesting more of the same. As a result of their attendance at the SBSC user group tour we are delighted to hear that over 17 SBSC partners have already inquired further about ResourceiT’s services and actively looking to address their marketing opportunities.
  • Microsoft is providing partners with marketing tips and guidance as appropriate on the SBSC blog. Go here for more information.
  • SBSC Partners requested help in driving awareness of the SBSC User group and helping attract new members to the groups.
  • Microsoft used the launch of SBS 2008 and EBS 2008 as a means to help double the group attendance and attract new members.
  • Microsoft actively promotes the SBSC user groups on the SBSC Blog and in the SBSC monthly newsletter, actively highlighting one user group in each month’s newsletter edition.
  • Microsoft has assisted the set up of three new SBSC user groups.

 

As you can see, together we can make changes for the better. Here's to continuing to work together in 2009!