Welcome to the “Biz Apps Partner Podcast,” a weekly video series designed to decentralize intelligence about how partners can scale their Microsoft practice by having short, to the point discussions with Microsoft leaders in product, engineering, marketing, partner management, programs, and more.
In episode 19, John Siefert is joined by Carol Livingston, Owner/President, Dynamics Connections. Carol defines her role in helping partners connect with ISVs, gives her impressions of the Biz Apps Partner Summit, and discusses rising trends in the market.
Key Takeaways
- Overview: Carol has over 25 years of experience in finance and accounting, having worked as a controller and CFO. She transitioned into consulting to help businesses automate processes and improve efficiencies using Microsoft software. Currently, she owns a business that assists Microsoft partners in finding independent software vendors (ISVs) to fill gaps in their ERP systems called Dynamics Connections. She enjoys educating partners through meetings, an ISV library, and video content, such as her podcast, “ISV Talks.”
- Bridging gaps: Navigating the vast number of ISVs available on Microsoft AppSource can be challenging for partners who want to find the right solutions to support their customers effectively. Partners aim to recommend and provide solutions that truly meet their customers’ needs, as different verticals have unique requirements that may not be fully addressed by standard offerings from Microsoft and other software publishers.
- Biz Apps Partner Summit impressions: Carol notes that the inaugural Biz Apps Partner Summit was a great experience, providing significant value to partners by offering direct insights from Microsoft executives and leaders near their campus. The Summit highlighted Microsoft’s new programs and priorities for the fiscal year, helping partners connect with these resources to grow their businesses. Additionally, the event featured valuable partner panels and fireside chats, enhancing the learning experience through peer interactions.
- Partner perspective: Panelists at the Biz Apps Partner Summit showcased how partners have evolved from offering a single service to becoming comprehensive solution and technology partners by adding managed services and Azure hosting. It was insightful to hear about their growth journeys, notes Carol, especially since many partners are still using outdated methods that don’t meet current customer needs. Customers now require end-to-end technology partners.
- Rising market trends: AI is positioned to revolutionize business operations by enabling more efficient processes and doing more with less, as emphasized by Microsoft. The future trend involves using AI safely and securely to grow businesses, with customers increasingly seeking partners’ help to streamline functions and leverage AI for various needs, explains Carol. She equates this to the early days of Power Platform and the cloud, and notes that she’s excited to see how partners will use tools like Copilot Studio to create custom applications and solutions for various needs.
- Final tips: Carol encourages listeners to reach out through through her website for free resources available to partners. It’s important to continue educating yourselves and your team to stay ahead of technology and take advantage of conferences, online training, and resources offered by Microsoft.
Stream the audio version of this episode here:
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