This is the fourth blog in a series on enablement resources by Kymber Lowe, Senior Director of Global Partner Enablement at Microsoft. In this edition, Kymber will examine resources for the Modern Work solution area. Parts one, two, three, and five of the series are available on the Microsoft Partner Blog.
The Modern Work solution area is designed to help customers adapt to the changing nature of today’s workplace. As employees increasingly prioritize the ability to work remotely, and seek out fulfilling work environments, Microsoft remains committed to helping partners deliver productivity tools that meet these evolving needs. Platforms like Microsoft Teams and Azure have been instrumental in helping businesses create remote work environments; giving partners the opportunity to help their customers tailor software solutions to their unique needs.
Our Modern Work offerings have overlapping elements with the Security solution area, which I explored in my previous blog. As employees move off-premises and access company networks from their personal devices, remote and hybrid workforces pose unique security challenges. Both solution areas share certain sales plays, training opportunities, and the Secure Remote Work playbook. We also offer a Teams playbook to help users optimize modern collaboration—like all other playbooks, these two resources were created for partners by partners.
Moving toward modern work
Microsoft Teams is our modern collaboration platform that delivers integrated and comprehensive communications and workflows. Teams has become the front end of work for many remote and hybrid workforces, and partners can help customers leverage its capabilities to find more productive ways of working. Whether connecting teams via video calls or enabling real-time collaboration on documents, the Teams platform presents a modern work sales opportunity for partners across all four delivery areas: deployment, advisory and adoption services, business solutions, and managed services.
Activating cloud-based applications is another early step in modernizing a workforce. This can look like file migration, new security structures, or a curated virtual employee experience. With our Modern Work solutions, partners are well-positioned to help customers complete their transition to the cloud and adopt more productive ways of working. Decentralizing infrastructure removes barriers to holding hybrid meetings and updating communication channels, which can significantly improve the employee experience and lead to better performance, security, and overall retention.
Endpoint management is a key security focus among remote or hybrid workforces. Partners specializing in cybersecurity can help customers configure and unify security for employees, whether they are working on company-owned or personal devices. Tools like Microsoft Endpoint Manager are available to monitor and maintain organizational device compliance as part of the Microsoft 365 cross-workload offerings of security, compliance, and modern desktop.
Modern work also involves developing new solutions to support frontline workers. Microsoft 365, Teams, Power Platform, and Surface devices all offer an opportunity to optimize communication and productivity among this priority group. From workforce management to workflow optimization, partners can help customers design and implement frontline solutions that meet their workers’ needs.
Learning new productivity platforms
As with our other solution areas, we offer various technical trainings and certifications to help you become a modern work leader. These courses are designed to help partners stay competitive and differentiate themselves in the marketplace.
Microsoft Teams has become integral to many remote workforces and presents an opportunity for partners to demonstrate their expertise. We offer role-based Teams certifications for administrators and engineers, as well as relevant on-demand trainings. We also have resources for Microsoft 365 that explore the benefits of transitioning to the cloud available as on-demand trainings, alongside role-based or Fundamentals certifications.
Our security training tracks are also a valuable resource for equipping partners to address modern IT challenges. I recommend exploring security, compliance, and identity trainings on-demand, as well as considering our certification and advanced specialization options.
Selling cutting-edge solutions
With modern work elements such as remote options becoming a key differentiator for employees, many customers are eager to find hybrid solutions. Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, and the Microsoft Viva employee experience platform can provide just what they are looking for, and we are here to help you navigate these specialized sales conversations. The Modern Work Partner Sales Acceleration Program includes sales assets and video guides for enterprise sales engagements in this solution area. We also have a library of resources for an SMB sales cycle for Modern Work & Security solutions.
Additionally, all Microsoft partners have access to our broad portfolio of go-to-market resources, which include on-demand, digital marketing campaigns aligned to each solution area. With specific marketing campaign content tailored to security, we are committed to helping partners accelerate their time-to-market and reach new customers. Additionally, we’ve recently launched the Partner Go-to-Market Toolbox, an online platform that allows partners to grow their business through personalized and actionable marketing plans and to easily develop high-quality, solution-specific co-branded materials—based on their marketing initiatives—in 10 different languages. It’s currently available to partners with a gold competency or ISV partners with a co-sell incentive eligible offer.
The Microsoft Modern Work offerings represent a highly strategic opportunity for forward-looking partners. By combining the latest capabilities of Microsoft platforms with emerging security solutions, we can be an invaluable resource to streamline and strengthen the next phase of hybrid work.
Join me next month for my final installment of the enablement advantage series.