July 15, 2026

How to Build a Winning Microsoft Partner Strategy

How to Build a Winning Microsoft Partner Strategy
How to Build a Winning Microsoft Partner Strategy
M365 FM Podcast
How to Build a Winning Microsoft Partner Strategy

Building a successful Microsoft partner business is no longer just about technical expertise—it’s about creating a strategy that aligns with Microsoft's priorities while delivering measurable customer outcomes. In this episode of Microsoft Knowledge Nuggets on M365 FM, Mirko Peters explains the key pillars of a winning Microsoft Partner strategy and how partners can position themselves for sustainable growth in the era of AI, cloud, and recurring services. The episode explores why partners must move beyond project-based work and build scalable, value-driven business models that differentiate them from the competition.

You'll learn how to identify your ideal customer profile, choose the right Microsoft solution areas, develop high-value service offerings, and build a specialization strategy around Microsoft 365, Azure, Security, Business Applications, Data & AI, or Modern Work. The discussion also explains the importance of recurring managed services, customer success, partner incentives, solution designations, Marketplace listings, and building long-term customer relationships instead of focusing solely on licensing revenue.

The episode also covers practical growth strategies including creating repeatable service packages, investing in Microsoft certifications, leveraging AI and Copilot opportunities, strengthening your brand through thought leadership, and using content marketing, podcasts, events, and community engagement to generate trust and attract new customers. You'll discover why successful Microsoft partners build businesses around business outcomes rather than technical implementation alone and how Microsoft's evolving partner ecosystem rewards specialization, innovation, and customer impact.

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In today's business landscape, a strong partnership with Microsoft can significantly impact your success. Many organizations that partnered with Microsoft reported an impressive 18% revenue growth in 2021, with expectations of an additional 20% in 2022. A well-defined partner strategy can drive growth and enhance customer satisfaction. Key benefits include priority support, access to preview features, and proven technical expertise. These advantages can lower implementation risks and yield measurable savings. By aligning your goals with Microsoft's, you can create a winning Microsoft partner strategy that propels your business forward.

Key Takeaways

  • A strong Microsoft partnership can lead to significant revenue growth. Aim for a well-defined strategy to enhance customer satisfaction.
  • Understanding customer needs is essential. Conduct surveys and analyze feedback to identify pain points and tailor your solutions.
  • Customization of Microsoft products can address unique business challenges. Offer value-added services to enhance customer experience.
  • Stay informed about technology trends like AI, cloud solutions, and cybersecurity. Align your offerings with these trends to remain competitive.
  • Develop effective co-sell strategies with Microsoft. Collaborate with their sales teams to expand your reach and fulfill customer needs.
  • Build trust through open communication and transparency. Regular check-ins with clients strengthen relationships and foster loyalty.
  • Set clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure success. Regular performance reviews help you stay accountable and adapt strategies.
  • Embrace innovation by integrating new technologies. This approach enhances your offerings and positions you as a leader in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Customer Needs

Customer Needs

Understanding customer needs is crucial for building a successful Microsoft partner strategy. You must identify the challenges your customers face and tailor your solutions accordingly. This approach not only enhances customer satisfaction but also drives business growth.

Identifying Pain Points

Conducting Surveys

To uncover customer challenges, you can start by conducting surveys. Surveys allow you to gather valuable insights directly from your customers. Ask them about their experiences and the obstacles they encounter. This feedback will help you pinpoint specific areas where your solutions can make a difference.

Analyzing Feedback

Once you collect survey data, analyze the feedback to identify common themes. You may find that customers often express a need for superior user experience, business agility, and modern security. These insights will guide you in developing solutions that address their most pressing challenges.

Here are some effective methods to identify customer pain points:

  1. Listen to customers to gather insights about their challenges and needs.
  2. Conduct workshops and discovery sessions to engage with customers more deeply.
  3. Identify customer referrals and map solutions to their needs during the 'Listen and consult' stage.
  4. In the 'Inspire and design' stage, delve deeper into customer goals and confirm the correct solutions that align with their needs.

Tailoring Solutions

Customizing Offerings

Once you identify customer challenges, the next step is to tailor your offerings. Customization services allow you to adapt Microsoft products into bespoke solutions that address unique business challenges. This flexibility ensures that your solutions resonate with your customers' specific needs.

Value-Added Services

In addition to customization, consider offering value-added services. These services enhance the overall customer experience and can include performance optimization, flexible engagement models, and proactive management. By providing these additional services, you can create a more comprehensive solution that meets customer expectations.

MethodDescription
Customization ServicesTailoring Microsoft products into bespoke solutions that address unique business challenges.
Performance OptimizationEnhancing the efficiency and speed of Microsoft solutions through advanced methodologies.
Flexible Engagement ModelsOffering adaptable strategies that align with the evolving needs of the business, ensuring scalability and growth.
Deep-tier EngineeringModifying core functionalities of Microsoft products to create custom features and integrations that standard versions do not support.
Transparent ProcessA structured approach that includes analysis, planning, implementation, and ongoing support to ensure successful deployment and user training.
Proactive ManagementMinimizing downtime and ensuring smooth operations through effective system configuration and management.
Predictable Cost ModelProviding a clear budget framework to manage digital transformation expenses without unexpected costs.
Detailed ReportingOffering analytics and reports to keep stakeholders informed about project progress and effectiveness.

By focusing on customer needs and aligning your solutions with their outcomes, you can build a winning Microsoft partner strategy that drives growth and satisfaction.

Winning Microsoft Partner Strategies

Winning Microsoft Partner Strategies

To build a winning Microsoft partner strategy, you must focus on aligning technology with market trends and leveraging co-sell opportunities. These strategic pillars can enhance your partner success and drive measurable growth.

Aligning Technology

Researching Trends

Staying ahead of technology trends is essential for Microsoft partners. You should regularly research industry developments and customer preferences. This knowledge allows you to adapt your offerings and remain competitive. Key trends to watch include:

  • AI Integration: Many businesses are adopting AI to improve efficiency and customer engagement.
  • Cloud Solutions: The shift to cloud-based services continues to grow, making it vital to offer robust cloud solutions.
  • Cybersecurity: As threats evolve, businesses prioritize security solutions to protect their data.

By understanding these trends, you can align your solutions with customer needs and Microsoft’s strategic goals.

Leveraging Microsoft Solutions

Utilizing Microsoft’s extensive suite of products can enhance your offerings. You can leverage tools like Microsoft 365, Azure, and Dynamics 365 to create comprehensive solutions. These tools help you address customer challenges effectively.

Consider the following strategic pillars for success in the Microsoft partner ecosystem:

Strategic PillarDescription
Improving the Employee ExperienceFocuses on enhancing productivity and reducing mundane tasks through tools like Microsoft Copilot.
Reinventing Customer EngagementUtilizes AI to personalize customer interactions and deepen loyalty through real-time data analysis.
Transforming Business ProcessesAims to optimize processes for agility and innovation, enabling faster project delivery and adaptation.
Accelerating InnovationEncourages diversification in the partner ecosystem, fostering new AI-native agencies and solutions.

By aligning your technology offerings with these pillars, you can create a winning Microsoft partner strategy that resonates with customers.

Co-Sell Opportunities

Developing Effective Strategies

Co-selling with Microsoft can significantly enhance your reach and impact. You should develop effective co-sell strategies that align with Microsoft’s sales teams. Collaborating with them allows you to fulfill customer needs while promoting both your solutions and Microsoft’s offerings.

Consider these co-sell categories:

Co-Sell CategoryDescription
Co-sell with Microsoft sales teamsCollaborate with Microsoft sales teams to fulfill customer needs, selling both your and Microsoft’s offers.
Partner to Partner (P2P)Work with another Microsoft partner to solve a customer problem collaboratively.
Private dealIndependently share your work with Microsoft for reporting purposes, facilitating potential upgrades.
Solution Assessment (SA)Collaborate with vetted partners to assess customer technology needs related to Microsoft technologies.

Additionally, you can explore specific co-sell opportunities such as Azure IP co-sell and services co-sell. Engaging in these initiatives can open new revenue streams and strengthen your position in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Showcasing Success Stories

Sharing success stories can demonstrate the effectiveness of your solutions and co-sell strategies. Highlighting measurable results can attract new customers and partners. For example, consider these successful Microsoft partner strategies:

CompanyStrategy DescriptionResults/Impact
DatabricksCoordinated sales strategy on Azure MarketplaceFaster customer acquisition
AvePointStrategic alignment with Microsoft’s go-to-market approachExpanded global reach
Financial Services CompanyOptimized marketplace presenceAchieved $75,000 in annual savings from a $45,000 investment - a 67% ROI

By showcasing these stories, you can inspire confidence in potential customers and partners, reinforcing the value of your winning Microsoft partner strategy.

Building Lasting Relationships

Building lasting relationships with Microsoft and your clients is essential for long-term success. Trust serves as the foundation of these relationships. You can foster trust through open communication and transparency in operations.

Fostering Trust

Open Communication

Open communication is vital in any partnership. It allows you to share insights, address concerns, and collaborate effectively. Regular check-ins and updates help maintain a clear line of communication. You should encourage feedback from your clients and Microsoft. This feedback loop strengthens relationships and builds trust.

Tip: Schedule regular meetings with your clients to discuss progress and gather their input. This practice shows that you value their opinions and are committed to their success.

Transparency in Operations

Transparency in your operations enhances trust. When clients understand your processes, they feel more secure in your partnership. You can achieve this by sharing your operational standards and compliance measures. For example, Microsoft aims for a 'trusted partner' ecosystem by narrowing the pool of partners and demanding higher operational, financial, and security standards.

Key FactorDescription
Enhanced Customer TrustMicrosoft aims for a 'trusted partner' ecosystem by narrowing the pool of partners and demanding higher operational, financial, and security standards.
Stronger Security BaselinesA focus on multi-factor authentication (MFA), designated contacts, and budget controls helps mitigate security risks that could impact customers.
ComplianceAnnual operational assessments emulate rigorous enterprise procurement cycles, ensuring that compliance is an ongoing process rather than a one-time check.

Trust is built on intelligence and understanding of unique business contexts. Customers expect solutions that are secure and manageable across the technology stack. By being transparent, you can meet these expectations and strengthen your relationships.

Community Engagement

Engaging with the community is another way to build lasting relationships. Active participation in networking events and online forums fosters connections and enhances your visibility.

Networking Events

Attending networking events allows you to meet potential clients and partners. These events provide opportunities to share your expertise and learn from others. You can showcase your solutions and discuss how they align with Microsoft’s offerings.

Tip: Prepare an elevator pitch that highlights your unique value proposition. This preparation will help you make a strong impression during networking events.

Online Forums

Online forums are excellent platforms for community engagement. They allow you to connect with other Microsoft partners and share insights. Participating in discussions helps you stay informed about industry trends and best practices. Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM centralizes relationship management, allowing for better coordination and engagement. The system tracks volunteer participation, partner collaborations, and event attendance, fostering deeper connections and insights into supporter engagement.

By actively engaging in the community, you can build relationships that last. These connections not only enhance your reputation but also open doors to new opportunities.

Operational Excellence for Success

Achieving operational excellence is vital for your success as a Microsoft partner. You need to establish clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and adapt your strategies to maximize growth. This approach ensures you remain competitive and responsive to market changes.

Setting KPIs

Defining Success Metrics

Start by defining success metrics that align with your business goals. These metrics should reflect your performance and guide your decision-making. Consider focusing on:

  • Revenue growth
  • Customer satisfaction scores
  • Market share expansion
  • Partner engagement levels

By tracking these metrics, you can measure your progress and identify areas for improvement.

Regular Performance Reviews

Conduct regular performance reviews to assess your progress against the defined KPIs. These reviews should involve analyzing data, discussing challenges, and celebrating successes. Regular check-ins help you stay accountable and ensure that your strategies remain aligned with your goals.

Tip: Schedule quarterly reviews to evaluate your performance. This practice allows you to make timely adjustments and keep your team focused on achieving success.

Adapting Strategies

Staying Agile

In today’s fast-paced environment, agility is crucial. You must be ready to pivot your strategies based on market trends and customer feedback. Staying agile allows you to respond quickly to changes and seize new opportunities.

Key operational disciplines that contribute to your success include:

  • Self-generated pipeline development
  • Managed engagement with Microsoft
  • Co-sell readiness
  • Community participation
  • Recognition through awards

These disciplines help you maintain a proactive approach to growth.

Incorporating Feedback

Incorporating feedback from customers and partners is essential for refining your strategies. Actively seek input through surveys, meetings, and informal conversations. Use this feedback to enhance your offerings and improve customer satisfaction.

Additionally, consider investing in structured campaigns that align your sales and marketing efforts. Creating deliberate paths from awareness to conversion can significantly boost your growth potential.

By focusing on operational excellence, you can maximize incentives and profitability. This commitment to discipline and readiness will position you for long-term success in the Microsoft partner ecosystem.

Preparing for Future Growth

Preparing for future growth is essential for Microsoft partners. You must regularly assess your capabilities and embrace innovation to stay competitive in the evolving market.

Auditing Capabilities

Optimizing Designations

To enhance your marketplace readiness, focus on optimizing your partner designations. This process involves several key actions:

  • Utilize tailored marketing campaigns to enhance visibility in the marketplace.
  • Leverage industry-specific resources to address unique customer needs.
  • Achieve Solutions Partner designations to unlock additional benefits and build trust with customers.

By implementing these strategies, you can strengthen your market position and attract new clients.

Marketplace Readiness

Marketplace readiness is crucial for maximizing your reach. You should explore partner-ready campaigns that strengthen your market strategies for Microsoft Security solutions. Additionally, access industry-specific resources to scale your marketing approaches and win new customers faster. This preparation ensures that your offerings align with customer expectations and Microsoft’s goals.

Embracing Innovation

Innovation drives growth and transformation. As a Microsoft partner, you must embrace new technologies to enhance your offerings.

AI-Driven Transformation

Integrating AI platforms can significantly enhance your operational efficiency. Consider developing low-code applications to streamline business processes. Additionally, implementing intelligent data management solutions using Microsoft Fabric and Power BI can provide valuable insights. These innovations not only improve your services but also position you as a leader in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Cloud Consumption Strategies

Adopting effective cloud consumption strategies contributes to your growth as a Microsoft partner. Utilize Microsoft Partner Center analytics to identify upsell opportunities. Optimizing customer cloud spend can lead to increased revenue. Furthermore, enhancing security measures unlocks potential incentives and helps maintain customer associations, which are essential for achieving solution designations.

To ensure a smooth transition into these strategies, consider implementing a 90-day action plan. This plan should include:

PhaseFocus AreaKey Activities
First 30 DaysAbsorptionLearn the environment, company culture, and internal processes. Familiarize with the team.
First 60 DaysTransition from learning to doingTake initiative, collaborate on projects, and measure progress based on feedback.
First 90 DaysFull integration and ownershipFinalize onboarding, establish long-term strategies aligned with organizational objectives.

Continuous learning and adaptation are vital for your success. Engage in ongoing training tailored to your team's needs. Empower champions within your organization to support peers and share knowledge. Regular check-ins and feedback mechanisms will help you stay informed about new features and best practices.

By preparing for future growth through auditing capabilities and embracing innovation, you can position yourself for long-term success in the Microsoft partner ecosystem.


A winning Microsoft partner strategy is vital for achieving your business goals. It helps you land strategic meetings with top Microsoft sellers and accelerates marketplace transactions. By implementing the strategies discussed, you can improve engagement with customers and enhance your credibility as a trusted advisor.

Remember, partnership development is an ongoing process. Stay adaptable by engaging in programs focused on AI and customer engagement. This adaptability will ensure you meet evolving market demands and maintain strong engagement with your clients.

Tip: Regularly assess your strategies to unlock new revenue streams and build proactive go-to-market plans.

FAQ

What is a Microsoft Partner Strategy?

A Microsoft Partner Strategy outlines how you align your business with Microsoft’s goals. It focuses on leveraging Microsoft products and services to drive growth and enhance customer satisfaction.

Why is understanding customer needs important?

Understanding customer needs helps you tailor your solutions effectively. This alignment increases customer satisfaction and drives business growth, making your partnership with Microsoft more successful.

How can I identify customer pain points?

You can identify customer pain points by conducting surveys, analyzing feedback, and engaging in direct conversations. These methods provide insights into the challenges your customers face.

What are co-sell opportunities?

Co-sell opportunities involve collaborating with Microsoft to sell your solutions alongside theirs. This partnership enhances your reach and allows you to fulfill customer needs more effectively.

How do I measure success as a Microsoft partner?

You can measure success by setting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as revenue growth, customer satisfaction scores, and market share expansion. Regular performance reviews help track progress.

What role does innovation play in a partner strategy?

Innovation drives growth and transformation. Embracing new technologies, like AI and cloud solutions, enhances your offerings and positions you as a leader in the Microsoft ecosystem.

How can I prepare for future growth?

You can prepare for future growth by auditing your capabilities, optimizing partner designations, and embracing innovation. A 90-day action plan can help you stay focused on your goals.

What are enterprise solutions in the context of Microsoft partnerships?

Enterprise solutions refer to comprehensive offerings designed to meet the complex needs of large organizations. These solutions leverage Microsoft technologies to enhance efficiency and drive business success.

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Here's the problem most partners don't see coming.

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You can enroll in the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program,

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pay your fees, collect your benefits,

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and still stall out completely.

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Being in the program and winning with it

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are two different things.

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One is compliance, the other is strategy.

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And in 2026, that gap is widening fast.

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Here's what that looks like in real numbers.

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96% of enterprise deals now involve multiple partners.

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Co-SEL isn't a bonus feature.

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It's the default way Microsoft sells.

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And starting January this year,

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you need a solutions partner with certified software

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designation just to access things like PRACR, partner lead incentives,

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and prioritized sales engagement with Microsoft's field teams.

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So the partners who treat this program like a checklist,

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enroll, pay, badge, they're falling behind.

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The ones who treat it like a strategic framework,

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they're the ones pulling away.

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This episode gives you the four pillars

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that separate those two groups.

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The framework that turns program participation

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into actual revenue growth.

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Stick with me.

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Why most partner strategies fail?

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Let's start with why most partner strategies don't work.

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It's not because the program is too complicated.

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It's because most firms build their strategy backwards.

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They start with the wrong question.

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What designation can we get?

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Instead of what business do we actually want to build?

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That one reversal changes everything.

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When you lead with the designation,

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you end up chasing points that don't align

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to your real revenue streams.

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You're optimizing for a scorecard instead of building a business.

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I see three failure patterns over and over.

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And they all come back to that same backward thinking.

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First is the point chaser.

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This partner accumulates partner capability score

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across multiple solution areas, a little in modern work,

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some insecurity, a few points in a zooer.

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But they never go deep enough in any single area

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to unlock real co-cell motion.

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They have breadth without depth

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and that doesn't get Microsoft sellers excited.

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Second is the reseller who never evolved.

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This firm still thinks margin on licensing is the business model.

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They're competing on price in a market

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where margin is compressing every quarter

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and they haven't made the shift from reseller

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to strategic advisor.

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The program is not designed to reward that model anymore.

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Third is the ISV who builds a great product

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but never connects it to marketplace motion.

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Great technology, zero distribution strategy.

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They're invisible to co-cell, invisible to mass C,

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invisible to the sales motion that drives 96% of enterprise deals.

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Here's the core problem.

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Microsoft's program is built around cloud consumption

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and customer outcomes.

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It measures performance, skilling, and customer success.

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Real metrics tied to real business results,

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but most partners still think in terms of competencies and fees.

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They're playing the old game on a new board.

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The shift in 2026 is structural, certified software requirements.

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MACC alignment, AI-skilling embedded in every solution area.

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What worked in 2024 won't work now, the rules changed.

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So the solution starts with one question,

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not what designation can I get.

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But what does my ideal revenue stream look like 18 months from now?

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Answer that first, then pick the designations that get you there.

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Pillar one, designations that pay off.

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Once you know where you're headed,

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you need to pick the right designations to get there.

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There are six solution areas.

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Data and AI, digital and app innovation,

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infrastructure, business applications, modern work, security.

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And here's what most partners get wrong.

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They think they need all six.

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They don't.

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You don't need to blanket cover everything.

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You need the right ones.

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The mistake is trying to be everything to everyone.

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You spread your PCS thin across multiple areas.

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You invest in skilling and certifications across the board.

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And you end up mediocre in five areas instead of strong in two.

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Instead look at your existing customer base.

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Look at where your margins are actually coming from.

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Which workloads are driving your revenue?

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Which solutions are your best customers buying from you?

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That's where you should focus.

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Modern work is the easiest entry point,

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lower thresholds, and SMB path available.

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And the new 2026 requirement,

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2500 monthly active usage growth across three workloads

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is achievable if you're already managing

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Microsoft 365 tenants for your customers.

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The tenant minimum dropped from 12 to 5,

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which makes attainment easier for focused partners.

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So if you're starting somewhere start here,

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but here's the thing, modern work alone

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won't unlock the big co-sell motion

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to get Microsoft sellers attention you need at least one

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as your designation or security.

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That's where the enterprise deals live.

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That's where Microsoft's field teams are incentivized to work with you.

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And the data backs this up, deals involving designated

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or specialized partners close four times faster.

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They're roughly twice as large.

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That's not a small advantage.

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That's the difference between scraping by on transactional margin

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and building a real practice.

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Now, there are some 2026 changes you need to plan for.

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Modern work skilling now requires co-pilot

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and agent administration certifications.

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That's new.

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If you're planning your certification pipeline for the year,

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factor that in.

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For business applications, Microsoft added Dynamics 365 Contact

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Center and co-pilot studio as eligible workloads

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that gives you more paths to hit your metrics.

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The cost reality is this.

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Per designation runs about $4,030 annual fee.

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Plus the investment in skilling and certifications.

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But the real ROI isn't the fee.

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It's the co-sell access and incentive eligibility

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that comes with the designation.

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That's where the return lives.

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So here's the rule of thumb.

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Pick two designations that align to your core revenue.

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Own them deeply.

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Build real capability.

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Get the certifications.

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Hit the usage metrics.

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And ignore the rest until you have capacity to expand.

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Depth beats breadth every time when it comes to designations

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that actually pay off.

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Pillar 2.

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Co-sell that actually works.

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Designations get you in the door.

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But co-sell is what actually brings revenue.

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And this is where most partners get it backwards.

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Most partners think co-sell means Microsoft sends them leads.

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A referral shows up in partner center.

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You follow up and a deal closes.

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That's the fantasy.

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But that's not how it works.

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Co-sell is a two-way motion.

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You bring opportunities to Microsoft.

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And they bring opportunities to you.

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It's a partnership, not a delivery service.

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And the partners who win at co-sell

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are the ones who make it easy for Microsoft sellers

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to work with them.

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So what does that look like in practice?

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First, you need a clear, better, together story.

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How does your solution drive Azure consumption?

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How does it modernize data?

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How does it accelerate AI adoption?

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Microsoft sellers are measured on cloud consumption.

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If your solution doesn't help them move that needle,

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they have no incentive to bring you into deals.

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Your story needs to connect your solution to their quota.

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Second, you need sales enablement assets

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that Microsoft sellers can actually use.

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Not a 50-page deck, not a technical white paper, one pages,

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case studies, ROI models, the kind of thing

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a seller can grab on their way to a customer meeting

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and using 30 seconds.

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If your assets require a PhD to understand,

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they won't get used.

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Third, you need regular engagement

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with partner development managers and account teams,

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not just when you need something,

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not just when you have a deal to register.

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Regular check-ins, share what you're seeing in the market,

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share customer wins, build a relationship

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before you need to cash it in.

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Now, the 2026 landscape shift makes all of this more urgent.

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The qualified referral program was retired

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in March of this year.

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Partner Center is now the only intake system

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for co-sale opportunities.

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If you're not using Partner Center referrals,

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you're invisible to the system.

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And starting January 2026,

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you need a solutions partner with certified software designation

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just to access prioritized sales engagement.

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That's not optional anymore.

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That's the price of entry for Microsoft's field teams

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to work with you.

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And there's also a structural change

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worth noting, multi-party private offers

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are now the standard way to bundle ISV solutions with services.

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If you're an ISV, you need to think about

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how your solution gets packaged with implementation partners.

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If you're a services partner, you need to identify

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which ISV solutions you can wrap your services around.

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The era of going at a loan in co-sale is over.

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So here's the practical playbook,

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build at least one documented client

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when you can share as proof of value.

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Get your co-sale validation completed in Partner Center.

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Align your solution messaging to Microsoft's current priorities,

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AI, security, data modernization.

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Those are the three areas where Microsoft sellers

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are most incentivized to partner.

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The partners who win at co-sale

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treated as a relationship business, not a program enrollment.

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They invest in the relationships before they need the deal.

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And that's the difference between getting referrals

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and getting ignored.

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Making co-sale operational.

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Now here's where it gets interesting.

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The difference between partners who get co-sale referrals

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and those who don't is almost always operational readiness,

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not capability, not solution quality, operational readiness.

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You need three things in place.

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Start with an updated Partner Center profile

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that clearly states your industry focus and solution areas.

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Microsoft sellers search Partner Center

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when they're looking for a partner to bring into a deal.

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If your profile is vague or generic,

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they skip right past you.

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Be specific about the industries you serve,

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the solutions you deliver, and the outcomes you drive.

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Next, you need an active co-sale opportunities workspace

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and I mean active, not just inbound,

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waiting for referrals to show up, outbound deal registration.

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You should be registering deals you're already working on.

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That gives Microsoft visibility into your pipeline

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and makes it easier for them to bring you

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into related opportunities.

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And CRM integration with Partner Center referrals.

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If your referrals are sitting in Partner Center

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and your sales team is working out of a separate CRM,

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things fall through the cracks.

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Leads get stale, follow ups get missed.

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Integration is not optional.

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It's the difference between a pipeline you manage

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and a pipeline that manages you.

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Now here's the thing, most partners overlook.

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There's an ecosystem dimension to this.

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96% of enterprise deals involve multiple partners

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so you're never the only partner in the account.

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You need to know who your complimentary partners are.

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ISVs need system integrators, system integrators need ISVs.

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If you're an ISV selling into a large enterprise account,

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there's already an SI managing that relationship.

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You need to find them and work with them.

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If you're an SI, there are ISVs

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whose solutions you should be wrapping your services around.

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Identify them, build ecosystem maps around your target accounts.

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Identify who else is already in the account,

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what partners are they working with,

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what solutions are they using,

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who would be a natural complement to what you deliver.

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The RIO model, reseller enablement offering,

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is becoming the standard way ISV scale globally

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through local partners.

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Instead of trying to sell direct in every market,

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you enable local resellers to sell your solution.

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That requires documentation, training,

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and a repeatable enablement process,

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but it's how you scale without building a global sales force.

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And three coordination as a discipline,

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clear governance over who leads which part of the deal,

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who owns the customer relationship,

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who owns the technical delivery,

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who owns the ongoing support,

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ambiguity kills multi-partner deals.

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Bottom line co-sell is not a passive channel.

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It requires active pipeline management.

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You can't just enroll in weight,

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you have to build the operational infrastructure to make it work.

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Pillar three, marketplace as revenue engine.

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None of this works at scale without a marketplace strategy,

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and I mean that literally.

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The marketplace is no longer optional.

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It's the transaction surface for co-sell,

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MACC, and certified software.

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If your solution isn't transactable on Azure marketplace

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or app source, you're essentially invisible to the sales motion

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that drives the majority of Microsoft's enterprise deals.

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By January 2026,

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solutions partner with certified software

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requires marketplace commercial performance.

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That's a requirement baked into the program, not a nice to have.

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And the thresholds are real.

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You need to meet one of these over a trailing 12 month period.

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Four million dollars in marketplace build sales.

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12 net new customers each with more than $10,000 in marketplace spend

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or 30 marketplace transactions with eight unique customers.

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Each transaction at least $100.

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Those are high bars.

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Let's be honest about that.

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Four million in marketplace build sales is not something you stumble into.

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It requires deliberate investment in your marketplace presence,

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your offer quality, and your go-to-market motion.

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But here's the thing.

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That bar is also the gate to access PRACR,

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partner led incentives, and prioritized sales engagements.

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So the question isn't whether you can afford to meet it.

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The question is whether you can afford not to.

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Now let's talk about the mass-c play.

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Mass-c stands for Microsoft Azure consumption commitment.

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And it changes everything about how marketplace economics work.

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Customers with Azure consumption commitments

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prefer marketplace purchases

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because every dollar they spend on a transactable marketplace

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offer counts against their commitment.

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They're going to spend that Azure budget anyway.

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They'd rather spend it on a solution

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that solves a real business problem than let it sit unused.

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So marketplace purchases become a way to burn down commitment

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while getting actual value.

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And Microsoft sellers are incentivized

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to recommend Mac eligible offers.

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Their compensation is tied to Azure consumption.

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If your solution drives Azure consumption and is Mac eligible,

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you're not just another vendor.

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You're a tool that helps them hit their number.

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That's a powerful position to be in.

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So if your solution isn't transactable on marketplace,

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you're invisible to that entire sales motion.

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The seller doesn't see you.

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The customer can't buy from you through the channel they prefer.

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You're operating outside the system.

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Here's what partners should do about it.

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Start with at least one transactable offer

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or published on Azure marketplace or app source.

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Get it right.

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Make sure it's co-sell validated and Mac eligible.

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That's the baseline.

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Next, build a repeatable outcome-based solution.

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Not a custom project disguised as a product.

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The marketplace rewards solutions

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that can be sold consistently,

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not one off consulting engagements.

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If your offer requires heavy customization for every customer,

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it's not ready for marketplace scale.

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Then use industry-specific keywords in categorization

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so buyers can find you.

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The marketplace is a search engine.

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If you're not optimized for how buyers search,

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you won't get found.

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Think about what your ideal customer types into a search bar.

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Use those terms.

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And here's the key.

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The marketplace is not a listing.

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It's a sales channel.

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It requires active management, updates, and campaign support.

355
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Partners who treat it as a publisher

356
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forget exercise get zero pipeline from it.

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You need to monitor your offers, refresh your content,

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run campaigns, and engage with the leads that come through.

359
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Treat it like a sales channel because that's what it is.

360
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Pillar four, the operational engine.

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So you've got the designations, the co-sell motion,

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and the marketplace presence.

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That's three pieces of the puzzle.

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But Pillar four is the one most partners skip.

365
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The operational infrastructure to actually manage all of it.

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Having the right designations, a great co-sell motion,

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and a marketplace listing, all of that is useless.

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If you can't track, measure, and improve it,

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the program is too complex to run on instinct and hope.

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It won't scale.

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The operational engine comes down to three things,

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and they're not optional.

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Start with Partner Center as your command center.

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Referrals and centers, PCS tracking, marketplace

375
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analytics, it all lives there.

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If your team isn't checking it regularly,

377
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you're flying blind.

378
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Make it the default dashboard for your partner program operations.

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Next, internal program management.

380
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And that means someone on your team needs to own it,

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not as a side project, but as a dedicated responsibility.

382
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They track PCS targets, manage certification pipelines,

383
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monitor renewal windows, and flag issues

384
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before they become problems.

385
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If nobody owns the program, the program drifts.

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Finally, financial tracking.

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You need to know what you're earning from incentives,

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co-sell, and marketplace.

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And you need to measure that against your program investment

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because the investment is real.

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Here's the cost reality.

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Per designation, you're looking at roughly $100,000 to $200,000

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per year when you factor in skilling, certifications,

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and sales motions.

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All six designations, $800,000 to $1.5 million annually.

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That's not Microsoft's fee.

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It's the total cost of maintaining the capability.

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But the return is real too.

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It comes from incentive eligibility,

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co-sell deal velocity, and premium pricing

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from designation-backed credibility.

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The partners who track this know exactly what they're earning

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and can make informed decisions about where to invest more.

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00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:36,720
Now, there are some 2026 operational

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must-haves you need to be on top of.

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Security compliance is first.

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MFA for all admins and a security contact

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set in partner center.

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Microsoft is enforcing this.

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And if you're not compliant, you risk losing access

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to incentives and program benefits.

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Next, make sure your partner location ID is correct

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in your CSP distributor portal.

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This sounds like a small detail, but it's not.

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A wrong ID means lost recognition for your customer transactions,

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no points, no incentives, no credit for the business

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you're already doing.

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Check it and fix it if it's wrong.

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And quarterly PCS reviews track your score across performance,

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skilling, and customer success metrics.

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Don't wait until renewal to find out your short,

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review it every quarter, identify gaps,

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and build a plan to close them.

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Without this engine, you're flying blind.

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And Microsoft's program is too complex to navigate by instinct.

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The partners who treat it as a system to be managed,

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not a checklist to be completed, are the ones who pull ahead.

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The 90-day action plan.

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Most partner strategies fail because they are too theoretical.

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So here's something concrete.

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Here's what you do Monday morning.

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Week one, audit your current PCS across your target solution

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areas.

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Open partner center, look at your scores,

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and identify the gaps.

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Where are you below 70 points?

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Which metrics are dragging you down?

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Write it down.

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That's your baseline.

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Week two, map your existing customer base

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to your revenue streams.

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Which customers are driving your best margins?

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What workloads are they consuming?

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That tells you which designations actually

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align to your business.

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Don't guess.

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Use the data.

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Week three, get your marketplace offer published or updated.

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At minimum, make it transactable.

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If you don't have an offer on Azure Marketplace or AppSource,

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start the process.

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If you have one, but it's not co-cell validated

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or MAC eligible, fix that.

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This is the piece that unlocks everything else.

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Month two, build your co-cell assets.

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One, page, case study, ROI model.

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00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:16,800
Get your co-cell validation completed in partner center.

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This is the work that makes it easy for Microsoft sellers

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to bring you into deals.

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Most partners skip it.

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Don't be most partners.

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Month three, establish your operational cadence.

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Partner center reviews, certification pipeline,

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00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:29,880
quarterly PCS tracking.

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This is the engine that keeps everything running.

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The partners who execute this 90-day plan

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will be in a fundamentally different position

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00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:38,440
by Q4 than those who wait.

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The window is narrowing.

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00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:42,120
The 2026 requirements are already in effect

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and the time to act is now.

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Here's the bottom line.

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Those four pillars aren't four separate initiatives.

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They're one integrated strategy and they only work together.

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A designation without a co-cell motion is just a badge.

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00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:55,720
Co-cell without marketplace stays limited in scale.

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Marketplace without the operational engine

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leaks value every time.

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None of them stand alone.

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The partners winning in 2026 are the ones

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who treat the Microsoft partner program as a business system.

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Not a compliance checklist.

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00:17:07,240 --> 00:17:08,800
They invest in the right designations,

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build a co-cell motion that actually works,

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00:17:11,000 --> 00:17:12,800
make marketplace a real sales channel

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00:17:12,800 --> 00:17:15,120
and put the operational engine behind it all.

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Start with the 90-day plan, own the four pillars,

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00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:20,520
build the engine that runs without you chasing every deal.

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If you want to dig deeper into any of these,

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drop a comment, I read everyone.

Mirko Peters Profile Photo

Founder of m365.fm, m365.show and m365con.net

Mirko Peters is a Microsoft 365 expert, content creator, and founder of m365.fm, a platform dedicated to sharing practical insights on modern workplace technologies. His work focuses on Microsoft 365 governance, security, collaboration, and real-world implementation strategies.

Through his podcast and written content, Mirko provides hands-on guidance for IT professionals, architects, and business leaders navigating the complexities of Microsoft 365. He is known for translating complex topics into clear, actionable advice, often highlighting common mistakes and overlooked risks in real-world environments.

With a strong emphasis on community contribution and knowledge sharing, Mirko is actively building a platform that connects experts, shares experiences, and helps organizations get the most out of their Microsoft 365 investments.