Australian-based operation Partner Elevate announced the launch of its business and certification programs aimed at transforming the Microsoft partner ecosystem and helping technology businesses leverage the Microsoft Partner Network on a global scale.
With 300,000-plus partner businesses globally, the Microsoft partner ecosystem is the largest of any global technology vendor, and with a market cap of over a trillion dollars, Microsoft credits 95 percent of its commercial revenue coming from, or being influenced by its partner channel, either directly or indirectly.
Founded by Desmond Russell and Ben Shapiro – technology entrepreneurs with an insight into the Microsoft ecosystem – Partner Elevate helps develop Investible Partners in the Microsoft partner ecosystem by helping technology business owners build and develop scalable, growth-focused businesses. This helps them build relevance with Microsoft and access the opportunities and investments the organization makes in its partner network.
The announcement comes off the back of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella unveiling plans to unlock trillions of dollars in partner opportunities.
Creating mutually beneficial outcomes for the whole channel, the Partner Elevate business model also helps global technology vendors like Microsoft and its distributors, strengthen their position in the market by increasing the capability, capacity and go-to-market readiness of their global resellers.
According to Desmond Russell, program director and co-founder of Partner Elevate, Investible Partners are winners and innovators who use decisiveness, predictability, and relevance to scale their business and know how to deliver outcomes.
Russell explained the business was born out of a desire to address a significant gap in the channel ecosystem – one that was impeding the effectiveness of the Microsoft Partner Network globally and creating barriers to driving the channel forward.
“Our vision is to help them step out of the day-to-day running of their business and guide them in building great, functional and scalable business models that will set them on the path to being an Investible Partner – and in turn access the trillions of dollars of opportunities on offer from Microsoft,” he added.
Supporting this pathway, Partner Elevate has launched the SalesPlay On-Ramp Program, a six-week, guided coaching program designed to address go-to-market readiness capability and deliver business impact with a customer win.
Ben Shapiro, managing director and co-founder of Partner Elevate, said that being able to deliver quick wins for partner businesses is part of the focus on driving a momentum shift in business, and that SalesPlay On-Ramp is where Investible Partners start and learn to develop customer intuition, amplify value and build credibility with sales offers that win more customers.
With more than 100 program participants to date and 30 badge recipients across the Asia Pacific region, Partner Elevate enjoys a strategic relationship with global technology vendors like Microsoft and its key distribution partners including Dicker Data and Ingram Micro.
