Channel Watch
Partners: Sound Off in 2016
We've always kept a tight focus on our Microsoft partner readers, but we're going to step that up in 2016 in a few ways -- and we hope you'll help us out.
- By Scott Bekker
- January 04, 2016
Another year has wound down. You'll find highlights and lowlights throughout our December issue.
Gladys Rama covered the seismic shifts hitting the IT landscape in 2015, such as the HP split and the pending Dell-EMC deal. Chris Paoli, meanwhile, recapped the IT security disasters that kept us all busy and alert throughout the year.
Looking ahead to 2016, rather than making predictions about industry trends, sideswipes and surprises, let's focus on something we actually have some control over -- what to expect from Redmond Channel Partner in our 11th year in print.
We've always kept a tight focus on you, our Microsoft partner readers, but we're going to step that up in 2016 in a few ways, and we hope you'll help us out.
- First, we'll be renewing an old element from the earliest days of RCP -- the Your Turn. These were regular requests to you for anecdotes, opinions and input on the topics we were working on. Keep an eye out at RCPmag.com and in the Redmond Channel Partner Update e-mail newsletter (subscribe here if you're not already getting it) for invites. We'd love to hear your stories or get your responses to short surveys as we're developing articles.
- We're introducing a new list for 2016, the RCP 200. In the inaugural year, we'll be calling out the 200 most impactful Microsoft solution providers. Yes, we'll include the huge players -- your LSPs, your GSIs, your NSPs. But we'll also recognize those critical niche partners who pioneer narrow Microsoft technologies and demonstrate an influence far beyond their size. Nominations are open.
- Speaking of awards, the RCP/Rocket Award is entering its fourth year in 2016. Each year, RCP and Revenue Rocket Consulting Group LLC honor up to three IT services companies for innovative business strategies and stellar execution that together resulted in sustained, profitable growth over a three-year period.
You can also expect plenty of the independent news, analysis and best practice articles you're accustomed to, as well as Q&As with top Microsoft executives, gavel-to-gavel coverage of the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference and insightful columns from industry luminaries like Howard M. Cohen, Mike Harvath, Barb Levisay, Jeff Schwartz and occasional guests.
Hope your holiday season is jolly, your business closes out the year well in the black and your 2016 pipeline is full. Help get that 2016 conversation started by dropping me a line at [email protected].
More Columns by Scott Bekker:
About the Author
Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.