IAMCP and the WIT Network Join Forces

With diversity and inclusion top of mind for most companies, both the International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (IAMCP) and The WIT (Women in Technology) Network are working hard to help businesses build programs and take advantage of education that will foster success. A new joint membership promotion makes it easier for respective members to be part of the unique opportunities each organization is driving.

The IAMCP and The WIT Network share an impressive history, with both organizations demonstrating significant impact on this critical agenda. It is this robust and mutually successful growth that has led to an official alliance between the two organizations.

For almost 25 years, the IAMCP has been dedicated to everything that helps partners in the Microsoft network be more successful. This includes partnering more effectively with Microsoft and other Microsoft partners, advocating for change across the ecosystem, and offering in-person and virtual events for education, training and networking.

The WIT Network is a new, vibrant community born out of the IAMCP. It is laser-focused on its mission to address the imbalance that exists in the technology industry by supporting women to pursue a career in technology, encouraging more female entrepreneurs to start their own businesses, and helping more women take up leadership positions.

IAMCP Accelerates Partner-to-Partner Business
The IAMCP's largest global event takes place at Inspire, Microsoft's annual partner conference every year. Here, the IAMCP fosters activities that enable partners from around the world to meet, connect, align, form partnerships, drive deals and accelerate their businesses.

It was at this conference that a small group of women in the IAMCP began to run an annual luncheon specifically aimed at enabling female attendees to meet up and expand their networks. The event became so successful and impacted so many that it spiraled into the members' desire to do more than meet with each other once a year. IAMCP WIT was born and attracted a global audience of women in 80 communities and more than 40 countries. They ran local events, training programs, mentoring circles and philanthropic endeavors.

"Forming and developing as a subcommittee was a great way for us to discover what the women in our community want and need," said Christine Bongard, former IAMCP WIT chair and now president of The WIT Network. "But ultimately our goal and mission to support every woman working in the technology industry meant that our members were keen to branch out and pursue a larger mission."

In September 2018, The WIT Network was created, signing up over 2,000 members in its first month.

Diversity and Inclusion
The formal separation of the IAMCP and WIT included an intention for both organizations to continue to find ways to support one another. At the same time, the IAMCP did not abandon its interest in diversity and inclusion, and the IAMCP board created a new diversity and inclusion position to develop programs that support partners in initiating and fostering a stronger diversity and inclusion culture within their respective companies.

"We are very happy and supportive of the success at The WIT Network," said Sérgio Baptista, president of IAMCP International. "We are equally excited to be working with Microsoft to roll out our D&I [diversity and inclusion] initiatives with our new chairperson, Sarika Malhotra."

"Closing the gender gap while fostering D&I is a big challenge for our industry," said Bongard. "There is no 'one size fits all' approach or mentality. Both IAMCP and The WIT Network are offering unique programs and opportunities. That is why we believe that our members can continue to receive value if they join both organizations."

The IAMCP and The WIT Network are continuing to work at the local levels to run joint in-person events. "When we looked at our membership lists, we realized that the crossover was only about 10 percent," Baptista said. "It made total sense that we could each broaden our reach by teaming up locally."

"Both organizations provide value," Bongard said, "and there is really no overlap in our programs. We want to make it easy for members who need to belong to both organizations."

The IAMCP and The WIT Network are offering a limited 25 percent membership discount until June 30, 2019. After that, the mutual discount will remain in place at 10 percent.

If you would like to know more about how to sign up for joint membership in the IAMCP and The WIT Network, and to learn more about the associated benefits, please e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].

Gail Mercer-MacKay is an executive blogger and board member for The WIT Network and IAMCP Canada.

Posted by Gail Mercer-MacKay on March 21, 2019