the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) and also making sure we are prepared to deploy via AppSource on the new ISV Connect program.  As someone that has worked in the Microsoft ecosystem for over 20 years, I was keen to see what it was like starting on this journey from zero, although I have been involved in taking multiple partners through to Gold competencies in the past in several countries.

The concept of a “ship date” has been around for some time in the software industry. The idea being that you need to set the date that your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is going to be ready to show to the world.

When thoughts start to take shape in your mind that maybe it’s time to go independent and strike out on your own. This does not mean you need to go and start a business, that is a very different journey, but going independent may be the life you are looking for.

I may have the title wrong for this post as what I am really trying to do is crowd source my first practical Microsoft Flow. For some time, I have been thinking about how I can work Flow into my practical everyday life, to save me time and make me more productive. The other day a use case hit me in the face. Let me give you some background on my situation.

Getting your minimum viable product (MVP) right is one of the critical things when bringing a product to market as an ISV building on the Microsoft Power Platform. This post is based on what I have learned so far from in my own experience, speaking with various ISVs and from the reading I have done in this area.

We are only two weeks away from the largest community summit in the Microsoft Business Applications calendar for 2019. This is actually a combination of three events across the week of 15th October 2019 in Orlando, Florida.

In this post I want to discuss setting up your CORE TEAM, and the skill sets needed to be represented in that team for success.

Last year I read a book by Simon Sinek called Start With Why. I like the idea of starting with why when it comes to creating a product as an ISV and taking products to market.

When I look for content on how to become a successful Independent Software Vendor (ISV) for Microsoft Business Apps, I come up short. So, I thought it was time to create some. There are many reasons for embarking on this journey.

I recently had a conversation with the founder and CEO of a Microsoft Business Applications Global Systems Integrator (GSI). The discussion turned to Microsoft MVPs and his desire to hire as many as he could across their global business. Some interesting questions were raised including, what are the benefits of employing MVPs? And how can a Microsoft Partner effectively invest in attracting and hiring MVPs?

In Part 1 I highlighted the need for Microsoft partners to focus on an industry solution, how to decide which industry to focus on, and how to establish a “beachhead” to dominate that industry. In this post, I’ll share ideas for creating interest within the industry you’re targeting and how to build credibility through references and industry engagement.

In my sixteen years of working in Microsoft Business Applications and twenty years of working for Microsoft Partners I have never come across a partner that has said “we have more leads than we can handle, we have more opportunities than we can pursue, we are making more money than we know what to spend it on”.

As a Microsoft Partner, it is time to start leveraging the vibrant Microsoft community that exists around the world and proactively encourage all staff to get involved.

I have been doing a lot of thinking and reading about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and trying to understand how businesses can get started with Practical AI. One way for companies to start on this journey is with Chatbots.

I recently returned from a business trip to Beijing, China and was blown away by the massive opportunity for Microsoft Partners wanting to grow a Power Platform or Dynamics 365 business in this region.

What is a Microsoft Power Platform ISV? And what are the differences between a Power Platform ISV and Dynamics 365 ISV?

For those partners and customers who pay very close attention to the Dynamics ecosystem, last week’s announcement from Steve Guggenheimer concerning a new ISV partnership program that is launching in July was big news.

Around 18 months ago I decided to start a podcast. The reason for doing this is I had taken a year off work to travel the world with my wife, but I wanted to develop a new skill while travelling and that was to become a good listener. I contacted Joel Lindstrom and talked to him about my plans and he invited me to syndicate my Podcast on CRM.Audio and so I recorded my first show in Nottingham UK at my cousin’s house. One of my aims in podcasting is to learn how to create a connection between the guests I was interviewing and the people listening so that the audience felt like the guest was speaking directly to them as an individual. The format of my podcasts has always been a guest interview scenario with me and one other person on the call.