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Build a practice

Follow the framework for integrating new offerings and expanding your business, with support from Microsoft.

Follow these steps to success

Learn how to integrate proven Microsoft solutions into your business model. Click through each section header below for key takeaways from each step, then download the guides for more details.

Define and design the solution offer Define and design the solution offer

Successful solution providers will take the time to craft a message that clearly speaks to their company’s strengths, then put that message to work to grow their business.

Build a well-defined value proposition for your solution
Consider specializing by vertical, functional process, or technology
Seek out partnership opportunities

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Hire and train Hire and train

Top-performing partners turn their vision into reality by seeking out and hiring the right people to fill key roles.

Identify which roles—each with a highly specialized skill set—you need to fill
Use included job descriptions to attract and hire candidates
Take advantage of training resources to keep your team ahead of the curve

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Optimize your operations Optimize your operations

Profitable solution providers will take operations seriously, focusing on repeatable engagements through methodology, automation, and tools.

Keep key operating principles in mind when building your cloud business
Build efficiencies
Look for opportunities to implement repeatable processes
Focus on business priorities
See how optimization impacts your bottom line

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Modernize sales and marketing Modernize sales and marketing

Leaders will embrace modern techniques to reach customers, especially since most business-to-business buyers are making purchasing decisions before talking to a sales representative.

Understand the customer journey and build your digital marketing strategy around it
Develop engaging customer-facing content
Measure your progress with business analytics
Prioritize long-term value over short-term deals
Understand that growing your business is no longer about making deals and closing sales
Earn and keep customers for life by ensuring they continually get value from the solutions you provide
Get customers up and running (and keep them happy) with your offerings, and maintain a mutually rewarding relationship over time

Download the guide

Deliver Customer Lifetime Value Deliver Customer Lifetime Value

Successful partners will maintain customers for life by ensuring their clients continually get value out of their solutions.

Understand that growing your business is no longer about making deals and closing sales
Earn and keep customers for life by ensuring they continually get value from the solutions you provide
Get customers up and running (and keep them happy) with your offerings, and maintain a mutually rewarding relationship over time

Download the guide

Build a security practice

The global need for protection against data breaches and other cyberthreats presents a great opportunity for your business. Learn more about adding security offerings to your portfolio with help from Microsoft.

Get details

See all practices

Check out all of the ways that we can help you find new lines of business.

See practices

Get the playbooks. Transform your business.

Use these guides to develop, analyze, manage, and secure an effective cloud practice that’s built to last.

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Cloud Application Development

Learn more about building IP on the Azure application platform.

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Data Platform and Analytics

Help customers understand big data and developing for the Internet of Things.

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Cloud Infrastructure and Management

Learn how to implement, manage, and secure modern cloud infrastructure.

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Enterprise Mobility and Security

Assist customers with identity management, mobile productivity, and more.

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Managed services

Make your practice more profitable by adding managed services to your portfolio.

Learn more

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Practice scenarios

Review a series of partner scenarios for investing in new business practices and maximizing profitability.

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Get cloud ready in 100 days

It can happen sooner than you think. Follow these proven steps that have earned partners like you their first million-dollar opportunity in the cloud.

See the plan