Partners help put all the pieces (back) together

There is a classic scene from the animated film Toy Story where Woody is holding Buzz's arm. If you've seen the movie (and who hasn't?) you know the scene. The gist is ... Woody is being a friend and helping Buzz. Albeit, with a bit of comic timing and sensibility. 

This is a lot like what partners do. Partners Partner!

Partners help Partners

P2P is alive and well

Partners help each other. Sometimes even when they don't think they need it or want it. This is where partners shine. After developing a trust based relationship partners know they can jump in and help one another.

This is where organizations like the International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners, aka the IAMCP, come into play. Partners meet with partners on a regular basis and share their successes and challenges. 

Together we can help each
other accomplish more

• If you are attending the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference next week in Toronto you probably already know this. 
• If you have been in the Microsoft Partner Network and Ecosystem for any amount of time you probably know this.
• If you are an IAMCP member you also know this to be true.

What If You Are New Here?

For those that are new to the Microsoft Partner Network and ecosystem and to the IAMCP mission ... not to worry. Microsoft and the IAMCP have made it very easy to Connect, Learn and Grow your business.

For more information click on the links below. Also, feel free to ping me directly. I've been in the partner community for over 25 years and have spent over 20 of those in the Microsoft Partner Ecosystem. 

• Microsoft Partner Network
• IAMCP
• The WPC

At the WPC in Toronto on July 10-14 the goal is to help partners grow their business across five core pillars: Profit, Transform, Differentiate, Collaborate and Lead

There will be plenty of opportunities for partners to meet with other partners and to see how they might be able to compliment each others business.

Better Together

If you are new to the partner community you'll probably be figuring out very quickly that partners working with other partners can accomplish a lot more together.

Perception and Perspective Matter

Don't read too much into Woody holding Buzz's arm. The idea and intent is to show that no matter what happens you have a friend in partners. When you develop your relationships from a place of trust you can accomplish a lot more.

And, if you remember the scene ... Woody went over to there to help Buzz.

You've Got a Friend in Partners!

See you in Toronto. 

Look for my session on Wednesday at 1pm in the Community Hub where I will be talking about "Working with Millennials in the Partner Community" - the session number is COM21 and I hope to see you there.

Let's build something ... together.

---

This was cross posted from my LinkedIn articles here.

image credits: Pixar

Jeff is an expert in the Enterprise Content Management industry. He brings over 20 years of Channel Sales, Partner Marketing and Alliance expertise to audiences around the world in speaking engagements and via his writing. He has worked for Microsoft, Kodak, and K2. He is currently the consulting with Microsoft and partners to drive Community Engagement and Alliances.

Tweet him @jshuey or connect on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Google+ He is active in the Microsoft Partner Community and is the co-founder and President of the IAMCP Seattle chapter.

He is a contributing author to Entrepreneur, Elite Daily, Yahoo, US News and to the Personal Branding Blog