Category Archive
for: ‘Conferences’

Caught up to Vlad at the ConnectWise Conference…  We talked about what he's doing with Exchange Defender/OwnWebNow and how he focuses on Partnering with his clients.

You can learn more about Vlad at: http://www.vladville.com.  You can learn more about his offerings at: http://www.ownwebnow.com

Brent talked to us about how he uses ConnectWise as a Sales Manager and Sales Professional.  Brent comes to us from Success Computer Consulting out of the great state of Minnesota!  You can learn more about Brent here.

I've been doing something interesting for the past few days.  We had a social media conference here in Bellingham – so I started up another video blog – but aimed at Social Media instead of at VARs.  I really wanted a blog that reached a local audience instead of one geared towards my peers.  One that actually might find me a new local client!

The exercise was effective – I worked with my graphics partner and we built the concept out in just a few weeks.  It's fun to do that – go from concept to deliverable quickly and get lots of PR value along the way.  And that's why Social Media is a good value for all of us – it doesn't take much time, and you can go from thinking about Social Media (like Blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn) to doing it, in just a few weeks.  I've been posting over on SocialPastures.com on how to get started with Social Media – and plan to do a few more.  Also – we have lots of short videos on the conference – some good stuff there.  Also – I'll be blogging next week at ConnectWise – I look forward to seeing my HTG3 peers, and lots of other peers in Orlando!

I don’t know how many of you are aware of Digital WPC…

Digital WPC will be the landing page for the official Microsoft internet video content specifically from the Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) next week.  Quite a bit of content is going to be available – both live and on demand.  It’ll be long form video – but will definitely give a good flavor of what Microsoft sees as the important technologies for partners to focus on for the coming year.  If you’re not attending – I’d recommend having a cup of coffee (or two) and watching some video…  I would definitely watch the keynote on Tuesday, July 8th at 8:30am CDT (Live!) – great theatre and a great overview of new technologies.  I expect to hear a lot about Software plus Services this year.  We’ll see if I’m correct.  And I’m hoping for a repeat of the monkey dance!

https://partner.microsoft.com/global/40058548

Stuart Crawford from Small Business IT Radio asked me and several other Microsoft partners to speak on “Tips for preparing for the Worldwide Partner Conference” on Thursday, July 3rd, at 9am (PST).  This is Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) – and biggest Partner event of the year.  It’s an incredible event, attended by over 10,000 partners – with keynotes from the likes of Steve Ballmer and other Microsoft Executives.  There are also hundreds and hundreds of sessions on various Microsoft Technologies and lots of structured networking opportunities.  Please do come listen in and ask questions on Thursday.  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/smb

If you aren’t attending WPC this year – please be aware that I will be doing video blogging (in partnership with Pat Dolan and Al Bias from TCC Technologies) from WPC.  It won’t be as effective as attending in person, but it will give you a great overview of what we think are important technologies and trends to pay attention to.  Those Video Blog entries will be embedded here at http://www.varvid.com starting Monday, July 7th!

Here’s a great opportunity for Microsoft Partners!

Submit a video at: http://www.wpcvideos.com

It may be featured at the Worldwide Partner Conference…

Deadline is July 2nd, 2008 – so get cracking.  Below is a sample of a type of video (interview style) that could be submitted.

Video submission requirements:

1. Showcase a technology your company has developed or delivered.
2. Provide a brief introduction to your company or an individual from your company.
3. Include interviews and screen captures (You can use screen-capture software available at no charge from Microsoft Office Labs).
4. Ensure video is less than 100 megabytes, less than five minutes, and in .wmv format.
5. Limit post-production editing, similar to what you would see on MSN Video Soapbox user videos. The unpolished videos can be serious, informative, or fun, based on the personality and culture of your organization. But all videos submitted should demonstrate innovation in a transparent environment.
6. Submit by July 2, 2008.

Video: Extended Results Sample Video for Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference

I was honored to speak at SMB Summit this year.  Microsoft asked me to speak on messaging in Small Business Server 2008 (Microsoft asked us to do pre-release testing of SBS 2008 with our client, The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce – we’re one of only 11 Microsoft Partners in the World to be so honored).  I also spoke on how Windows Home Server can help back up important client PC’s in a Workgroup OR a Domain environment.  Below is a video of me speaking with Aanal Bhatt from the Windows Essential Business Server team – about 1:30 in.