I saw that the nominations for the next UK PALs is open.

As I have been one of the UK PALs for the past 2 years, I would certainly encourage people to nominate themselves. In terms of the Microsoft gives, the attendance at the Worldwide Partner Conference has certainly been a highlight for me. It is difficult to explain the real value of WPC unless you go and experience it yourself. Apart from the great networking available, I have made some great friends from across the globe.

As a PAL you really do have the ear of Microsoft at some of the highest levels and the feedback is taken seriously. That’s not to say that Microsoft will always make the changes you want but you have a direct input into shaping the SBSC Programme for the future. You get to talk directly to the Product Teams and Product Managers at Microsoft Corp and most of the SMB Campaigns are highlighted first to the PALs. I have always found that I got to know things before the Microsoft UK people got to, which has always been quite interesting.

At the end of the day to represent your peers has been both an honour but also a big responsibility. I have at times found myself caught between the Microsoft and Partner World, with some Partners questioning my true impartiality. On the other hand you do have to resist some of the inevitable Microsoft Marketing Messaging that will come and that you do not just become a conduit for that. It has always been my view that I would not be serving my fellow SBSC Partners to the best if all I did was criticise Microsoft. Firstly, they would quickly stop  listening to me and start counting the days until the tenure was over! For me Community has always been key and that everything would automatically derive from a strong and successful Partner Community.

For SBSC Partners in the UK, we have got to stop always looking to the US for our success and ideas and content. We need to start having more leaders within our own ranks and people willing to contribute stuff. As I like to put my money where my mouth is, you will have seen a Live Meeting invite in the latest SBSC Newsletter that Andy Trish and I are hosting for SBSC Partners to discuss issues which are effecting them and how we can support each other more effectively and to drive change within Microsoft where it matters to us. I believe this is a first of its kind and I really need to thank Andy Trish of NCI Technologies of driving this and Emily Lambert of Microsoft in supporting the Logistics of it. This is a Partner Event, not a Microsoft Event!

Whoever, the new PALs are they will have my full support as I know it’s not always an easy role and it’s essentially a volunteer role. I respect anyone who gives up their time to support others.

If anyone wants to chat with me informally about the role then give me a ring on 07773 123 562.

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