I don’t know about you but isn’t it frustrating when you ask for the business to pay for an activity, service, or product and you get a NO! We don’t have budget!
We’ve all experienced moments when we need that extra budget, and it can be frustrating to receive a flat-out “No, we don’t have the budget!” response.
In my 18+ years of work experience, I’ve been in situations where I needed to ask for additional budget for various items. For example, there have been times when I needed funds for customer-related events to build relationships and seal the deal. I have also had instances where I needed budget for training. Now, I know that your delivery team is exceptional and highly skilled, but they may need some guidance in handling scope creep or facing the C Suite in customer organizations, but, well. No Budget.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could invest in their soft skills training?
Who is this article for?
EVERYONE!
This article is not just for MDs, Founders, and Directors. It’s for everyone working in a Microsoft Partner organization. You should be asking yourself why other partners are getting rewarded for selling Microsoft services or products and you are not.
Why should you be interested in Incentives and rebates?
Microsoft Partner Benefits such as Incentives and rebates, present businesses with the opportunity to re-invest into their business on tasks and activities that help to make you a better partner.
You can increase your profits and cover some costs. Whatever you do with the incentive or rebate there is no justification to not want it or not work towards getting it!
How your business is tracking on getting incentives and rebates is important for you and your business unit and the company overall.
This is why as a Microsoft Partner, you should be asking:
1. “What incentives programs are we enrolled in?”
2. “What are we making from incentives and rebates this month?”
3. “How can we use this earning to drive business success”
If you work for a Partner organisation challenge your executives with these questions. Because if your organisation wins in this area you will benefit, guaranteed!
“Innovation is not just about creating new products and services, but also about reimagining the way we do business.” – Satya Nadella
Lets get into the details
As a Microsoft Business Applications Partner, you are well aware of the vast opportunities and potential for growth in the Microsoft ecosystem. Alongside the incredible solutions you offer, Microsoft provides a range of incentives and rebates to support your success and reward your efforts.
Microsoft offers a wide range of incentives to partners, including:
- Rebates: Partners can earn rebates on Microsoft products and services that they sell or resell. The amount of the rebate depends on the product or service, the partner’s tier, and the partner’s sales volume.
- Co-marketing funds: Partners can apply for co-marketing funds to help them promote Microsoft products and services to their customers. These funds can be used to create marketing materials, run advertising campaigns, or attend trade shows. (Covered Briefly in the Co-sell Opportunities article you can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/whats-deal-microsoft-co-sell-opportunities-bertha-musanhu). Take Note Marketing Managers.
- Training and certification: Partners can earn discounts on Microsoft training and certification programs. This can help partners improve their skills and knowledge of Microsoft products and services.
- Technical support: Partners can get priority access to Microsoft technical support. This can help partners resolve issues quickly and efficiently.
- Partner recognition: Partners can be recognized for their achievements in the Microsoft Partner Program. This recognition can help partners attract new customers and partners. (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/whats-deal-microsoft-co-sell-opportunities-bertha-musanhu)
In addition to these general incentives, Microsoft also offers a variety of specialized incentives for partners in specific industries or regions. For example, Microsoft offers a Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) incentive program for partners who sell Microsoft cloud services. This program offers partners rebates, co-marketing funds, and other benefits.
Partners can also earn incentives for achieving certain milestones, such as selling a certain number of licenses or completing a certain number of training courses. Think about your OSU and OSA incentives programs as an example.
FAQ
The specific incentives that are available to partners can vary depending on the partner’s location, industry, and tier.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Microsoft incentives and rebates, offering insights and tips from my personal experience in the space.
1. What are the different types of Microsoft incentives and rebates available for Business Applications Partners?
In the Business applications space, you can look at the following programs.
– Microsoft Commerce Incentives
– Cloud Solution Provider Indirect Reseller Incentives
– Cloud Solution Solutions Provider Direct Bill Incentives
– Online Services Usage (I will be talking about Customer Success in coming articles, this is important for this Program)
– Online Services Advisor
The MCI has a specific interesting incentive which is the Build Intent incentive, this helps you with funding to help drive customer intent or purchases for use of Microsoft Products
2. How do I qualify for Microsoft incentives and rebates?
To qualify for Microsoft incentives and rebates, you must meet specific eligibility criteria. These criteria can vary depending on the program, but in general, you must be registered in the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program and have a valid Microsoft account. Staying informed about the requirements and ensuring you meet them is crucial to maximize your chances of qualifying for these benefits.
Some examples of one program are:
- Partner Agreements – Microsoft Cloud Partner Program Agreements.
- Program Enrolment – you have to enroll in the program it’s not always automatic, so you want to check this.
- Partner Qualifications – specifically a Solutions Partner Designation or specialization (note that some are very specific and some are general), Co-sell ready. This is on a case-by-case, workload-by-workload basis and so it differs across the incentives.
3. How long does it take to receive Microsoft incentives and rebates?
The processing time for Microsoft incentives and rebates can vary depending on the specific program. While it is natural to be eager to receive your rewards, it is important to understand that it may take several weeks to several months for processing. Patience is key, and it’s worth the wait to enjoy the benefits that come with these incentives. It’s also important that you know that the only way to earn is to start the process.
4. How can I increase my chances of qualifying for Microsoft incentives and rebates?
To increase your chances of qualifying for Microsoft incentives and rebates, stay up-to-date with Microsoft products and services. Provide exceptional customer service to earn recommendations, actively participate in partner programs, and align your offerings with the latest trends and demands in the Microsoft Business Applications space.
There are so many frequently asked questions and I can’t cover them all here, please let me know if you have one in particular.
Closure and Next Steps
As a Business Applications Partner, understanding the world of Microsoft incentives and rebates is vital to optimize your success.
By familiarizing yourself with the available programs, qualifying criteria, submission process, and resources, you can leverage these opportunities to enhance your profitability and differentiate yourself in the market.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and embrace the support provided by Microsoft to maximize the benefits of being a valued partner in the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program.
Remember, your dedication and efforts in the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program are invaluable, and these incentives and rebates are designed to reward your hard work. Embrace them.
Next Steps
Connect with me on this article or directly with a LinkedIn Message if you would like to schedule a call for me to help you win with your incentives and rebates.
Until the next article
STAY WINNING
