Software vendors are all declaring software as a service (SaaS) and software plus services as the future for customers. What is the business model for SaaS? How does a Partner organization or an ISV take advantage of this model? This session will explore this trend and what it means for your business.

The success of your business is determined directly by your ability to find and retain talent. This session will help you create the foundation of a talent rich company. You’ll learn to plan, find, attract and hire top talent, as well as get the most from your talent while keeping them from joining your competition.

You already know that Microsoft provides a wealth of marketing resources for Partners and ISVs. But you might find yourself short on time when it comes to sorting through the programs, finding the ones most applicable to you, and trying to incorporate them into your marketing initiatives. Attend this session to learn more about the “Top Ten” marketing programs for Microsoft Dynamics marketers in FY09 and how to best apply them to your current strategy.

Learn how to transform your Web site into an effective lead generation tool. Discover how to drive traffic to your site and direct visitors to the information they want once they get there. Search engine optimization (SEO) techniques partnered with effective site design create successful web marketing programs. Joe Rotella, SPHR, Creative Director for the 2008 Explore Chicago tourism site, will share ten strategic elements to enhance your ability to generate leads from your Web site.

Just what is public relations and how can it be used to communicate effectively with the media? Learn the key elements of a PR toolkit, and how to communicate your key messages to your targeted audiences. Former Great Plains Software and Microsoft Business Solutions senior communications professional Michael J. Olsen will teach you the PR basics you need to take a practical approach to the media and other public communications vehicles.

Collaboration with your sales and marketing teams is your key to success. This session will help you become prepared for the expected peaks and valleys of the business cycle and provide what you need to know to ride them out smoothly.

The competition is out there and the landscape seems a moving target. Are you practicing the best competitive sales tactics today? How do we show our competitive strengths regardless of the competitor? This session will review tools available for you today that will bring you to the competitive edge in your sales strategy. Learn from a competitive industry expert as well as your fellow partners, ways you can remain competitively savvy from deal to deal.

A prospect's comfort level starts with a solid discovery. Are you making the most of this important piece of the sales process? Uncover the basics of gathering information and pushing this new knowledge into a solution proposal. Incorporating Solution Selling best practices will provide your prospects with a presentation geared towards them and their business. This session also highlights topics from Demo to Win and Discovery to Win offered by Microsoft.

Building leaders who can help to carry the organization forward is essential for growth at any size. Who and how do you develop leadership talent and then provide an opportunity for that talent to grow? This session will cover that very subject, providing suggestions for how your organization can move into the future without its current leadership.

Changing economy, changing business models, and fluctuation of cash flow can all make compensation planning a challenge. This session will discuss how to pay fairly without breaking the company.

Join this distinguished panel of Partners, recipients of the 2008 Microsoft Distinction in Marketing award winners. Learn about their winning entries and take away new ideas for your own marketing campaigns. Ask lots of questions, take good notes, and maybe you’ll be a winner next year and take home the cash and prizes! Panelists include Kimberlie McKendrick, Client Profiles; Judy Van der Linden, Interdyn-Artis; and Lisa Steinhart, vSync

During slow economic times many companies cut expenditures, and marketing is often at the top of the list. When other companies cut back they surrender potential market share. That said, there is no better time than NOW to pick up new customers and increase your company's profile in the marketplace. This session will explore creative ways you can build awareness and new business through effective low to no-cost marketing strategies that can stretch your budget and get the most out of every marketing dollar.

Are you LinkedIn? Do you have a place on MySpace? Have you broadcast yourself on YouTube? Learn to leverage the new social networks to generate leads and attract talent. Discover how SNSs (social network sites) can be important to B2B marketers.

What you say and how you do it are key to building a business level relationship with your prospective customers. Attend this session and learn how to create compelling messages about your organization and build on the benefits of your Microsoft connection as a Microsoft Dynamics Partner.

Creating that vision of how potential customers will get from where they are now to where they could be helps to establish trust. Executing a high-quality implementation on-time, on-budget, and on spec helps you become a trusted advisor and develop a customer for life! Join us for this session and learn how using Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step during the sales process can enable you to plan and execute a roadmap for success for your prospects and customers—from basic needs assessment through implementation.

You've heard about selling the Microsoft stack, but how do you begin to approach it? Your Microsoft Dynamics solutions sits on some obvious stack pieces and integrates with others. Can you communicate a value proposition that will bring more business in the door? Are you ready to own the strategy or collaborate with other Partners? This session will help you to understand which parts of the stack you need to know to deliver value-added solutions and develop your personal plan for learning, presenting and implementing stack components.

Today’s teams consist of various generations with different perspectives about work. This session will discuss the leadership strategies and skills needed for talent retention and productivity.

Scaling a business requires the balance between structure and innovation. Over structure the organization and it slows down. Not enough structure and the company cannot evolve and grow. Attend and gain an understanding of the phases of a growing business and how to leverage them for scalability.

Are you LinkedIn? Do you have a place on MySpace? Have you broadcast yourself on YouTube? Learn to leverage the new social networks to generate leads and attract talent. Discover how SNSs (social network sites) can be important to B2B marketers.

In this session, we’ll demystify once and for all the “impossible dream” about relationship marketing, and outline a cost-effective, executable strategy for building and sustaining strong customer relationships that pay back like perpetual annuities. Using the principles of Human Factor Marketing, we’ll reveal the three most potent relationship/nurture tools you can use to bring your relationship marketing plan to life.

You already know that Microsoft provides a wealth of marketing resources for Partners and ISVs. But you might find yourself short on time when it comes to sorting through the programs, finding the ones most applicable to you, and trying to incorporate them into your marketing initiatives. Attend this session to learn more about the “Top Ten” marketing programs for Microsoft Dynamics marketers in FY09 and how to best apply them to your current strategy.

Going vertical doesn't happen overnight but luckily there are tools available that will guide you along your way. Learn the benefits of this business model, tools available from Microsoft, and the value of ISV connections in this vertical-focused session.

Prospects want simple, written proposals that address costs and timelines. No muss – no fuss. You, on the other hand, want to deliver a complete presentation. This session will share strategies and ideas that will satisfy everyone’s needs… and get you closer to the sale!

Are you aware of all of the demonstration tools available today? Using the Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft Information Worker images as examples, this session will dive into the VPC images and their related content. Data, dashboards, scripts and workflow are at your fingertips. Learn how to use these elements in a tailored demonstration. Take advantage of the options available to prepare and deliver the best solution presentation.

Talent needed for our businesses is not always located in the same geographical location. Relocation and travel is expensive and time consuming. This session will provide insights into managing teams regardless of where they are in the world.

Execution of strategy is a given for success. From strategies which define the future to day-to-day operations, this session will help to clarify the business processes for evolving companies.

Join us for an in-depth look at two Dynamics partners with different core focuses (PowerObjects and Microsoft Dynamics CRM; Boyer & Associates and Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft Dynamics SL) and learn how they have teamed up to win bigger deals and increase their revenue. Find out what has worked and get a chance to hear first-hand from both partners about the benefits of partnering.

Have you questioned the value of a vertical marketing strategy? Wondered if it was the right move for your organization and how to support it for the long-term? Marketing into an industry vertical takes some commitment, planning, and resources. Join us for a discussion with an exemplary partner panel that has found success by doing vertical marketing and learn how to bring vertical success to your company! Also included will be a list of vertical marketing resources provided by Microsoft to enable you to quickly ramp up your efforts without “recreating the wheel”.

Would you like to make a lasting positive impact on your company while attaining new-found credibility, enjoying rising professional reward, and ultimately earning a permanent seat at the boardroom table? Then you absolutely must learn and apply the six vital rules for internal marketing success that will ensure that your best business-building initiatives are enthusiastically championed at the highest levels of your company.

Would you like to attract all the clients your business can handle, work only with clients who value what you have to offer, and convert more leads to sales? Simply follow these simple small business marketing systems, strategies, and ideas. Duct Tape Marketing® is the first small business marketing program that treats marketing as an integrated system. At the core of the system is a series of steps and strategies, in various stages, that any business can use to finally produce stunning returns from a consistent marketing effort.

As a sales professional, you want the “silver bullet” closing strategy – the one that works every time. This session will cover the key challenges of closing sales; including negotiation, recognizing and addressing prospect pain points and considerations for crafting your closing approach.

Is your consultant a salesperson? Can they sell during a demonstration? How do you take your smartest technical consultant and make them your most effective sales presenter? This session will provide guidance on building a technical sales team and personalizing a training plan.

Are you using your Microsoft Technical support benefits and services to your advantage? These tools are just a "click" or "dial" away and can help you win business and keep your existing customers loyal as you expand your own skills and services. Learn how these Partner services can help you to solve issues efficiently as well as sell and deliver Microsoft Dynamics solutions.

Inspirational leadership means different things to different generations. Young workers say that it is one of the top motivators on the job. Baby boomers say it gives them a sense of direction. Whatever the reason, we are all more inclined to be focused and productive when inspired by our leaders. This session will look at inspiration and what it really takes for leaders to get there.

The greatest risk to success occurs after the deal is signed. How do you merge the cultures?This session explains how to mitigate the risk of productivity and talent loss that often result from a merger.

Would you like to attract all the clients your business can handle, work only with clients who value what you have to offer, and convert more leads to sales? Simply follow these simple small business marketing systems, strategies, and ideas. Duct Tape Marketing® is the first small business marketing program that treats marketing as an integrated system. At the core of the system is a series of steps and strategies, in various stages, that any business can use to finally produce stunning returns from a consistent marketing effort.

During slow economic times many companies cut expenditures, and marketing is often at the top of the list. When other companies cut back they surrender potential market share. That said, there is no better time than NOW to pick up new customers and increase your company's profile in the marketplace. This session will explore creative ways you can build awareness and new business through effective low to no-cost marketing strategies that can stretch your budget and get the most out of every marketing dollar.

The good news… there are more phones now than ever. The challenge…you’re not the only one calling! That’s why your company’s calls have to be distinctive and better than others to be accepted and considered. Indeed, live human communication, usually by phone, remains vital to Partners’ stability and growth. You’ll find out how to use the phone well and profitably for lead generation and qualification at this no-nonsense, provocative, and fun session.

As a sales professional, you want the “silver bullet” closing strategy – the one that works every time. This session will cover the key challenges of closing sales; including negotiation, recognizing and addressing prospect pain points and considerations for crafting your closing approach.

The competition is out there and the landscape seems a moving target. Are you practicing the best competitive sales tactics today? How do we show our competitive strengths regardless of the competitor? This session will review tools available for you today that will bring you to the competitive edge in your sales strategy. Learn from a competitive industry expert as well as your fellow partners, ways you can remain competitively savvy from deal to deal.

What you say and how you do it are key to building a business level relationship with your prospective customers. Attend this session and learn how to create compelling messages about your organization and build on the benefits of your Microsoft connection as a Microsoft Dynamics Partner.