Update: New Cloud Competencies Announced
Josh Condie – Reposting of Gavriella Schusters Blog post from yesterday.
Key highlights:
- Microsoft is making it easier for partners to grow Cloud and Hybrid Cloud practices.
- Partner Incentives are focusing more heavily on Cloud
- Increased Performance increases benefits
- 4 Competencies:
- The Small and Midmarket Cloud Solutions competency now has the following requirements:
- 10 new customers over the past 12 months (down from 15)
- 150 net new seats
- 3 customer references
- *Already meet these thresholds? = You’re in automatically!
- Not sure if you qualify? Visit the Cloud is Core site for a snapshot of your eligibility
Here is the repost: https://www.digitalwpc.com/Community/Perspectives/Pages/Continued-investments-in-our-most-valued-resources-our-partners.aspx#fbid=zJilH0sBSbn
Continued investments in our most valued resources: our partners
Gavriella Schuster, General Manager, Worldwide Partner Group
Back in July, I spoke to you from the main stage of WPC and in a blog post about how Microsoft would be investing in one of our most valuable and valued resources: you, our partner network. I promised that we would make changes to make it easier for you to build and grow your cloud and hybrid practices.
One of the biggest, most exciting components of that change is the introduction of new cloud competencies based on performance. I am excited to announce that these competencies are now available, including the Small and Midmarket Cloud Solutions, Cloud Productivity, and Cloud Platform competencies. There is one small change I want to call out: based on insight and input from the partner community, we have determined that the appropriate threshold for the Small and Midmarket Cloud Solutions competency is 10 new customers over the last 12 months, down from the 15 customer limit we announced in July. The other eligibility components remain the same at 150 net new seats and three customer references. CA, CDP, or Small Business partners who already meet the performance eligibility thresholds for the new competency have been granted the competency automatically.
The advantages of this change are available to every partner who meets the performance targets. Not sure if you qualify yet? Visit our Cloud is Core page and log in for a snapshot of where you are on your journey and next steps to help you get there sooner. We are committed to providing the tools and resources our partners need to be successful, and we think these new performance-based competencies will help you get there.
Our investments in you don’t stop there. We’ve also made major improvements to Pinpoint to make it easier for potential customers to find you, for you to showcase your services and secure the leads. Customers will now have better access, more tailored search results, and quick connections to the right experts – you.
The new Pinpoint will go live later today – we’ll continue to share more about the updates in coming months, but I encourage you to visit the new site and update your profile to leverage the power of the improved Pinpoint as this is the first and most important way to make Pinpoint work for you. Check out our top ten tips for how to optimize your profile. This will make it even easier for customers to understand your offerings and hire you for the services they need.
During the WPC Keynotes, we shared our goal of making your partnership with us easier and more profitable. The new competencies and updates to Pinpoint are investments in achieving that goal, and we’re not finished yet. Stay tuned!