I was asked to record a little video as to why people should join the partner programme, especially with regard to selling to small businesses.  It is worth looking at the video if you are not sure of the value around the levels.

However, one nice thing about the site is the list of benefits you get - are you making use of all of them yet?

http://www.microsoft.com/uk/partner/programme/registered/default.aspx?page=overview

These include:

• Hands-On Labs Online
• Classroom training
• Quarterly not-for-distribution software*
• Partner Marketing Centre access
• Project Guides
• Business-critical phone support
• Microsoft Managed Newsgroups
• Partner Solution Profiler

Then, if you join the SBSC programme you also get:

http://www.microsoft.com/uk/partner/sbsc/

• A Small Business Specialist badge so you can differentiate yourself in a busy market
• Connection with customers looking for IT suppliers in your area
• Access to our pilot of free pre-sales technical support
• Customisable sales and marketing collateral aligned with Microsoft marketing campaigns
• Access to offerings to support small business customers: MS Financing, Technology Adoption and Beta Programmes, and Small Business Product Previews

Finally, if you join SBSC Premium you also get access to the following:

Special invites around software

• Computer Associates software offer
• Invite to apply for access Small Business Accounting Alpha+/betas in the UK

Sales Resources

• Communication
  This guide focuses on improving communication in the workplace and answering concerns that customers might have about solutions based on Small Business Server 2003.
• Team working
  This guide stresses the importance of effective team working in a small business. It will help you to give your customers good reasons why Small Business Server 2003 can improve team building and productivity.
• Mobility
  This guide answers some common concerns that customers might have about flexible time and staff working from home. It explains how Small Business Server mobile computing systems can improve processes and productivity while making use of 'dead time' and improving customer service.
• Servicing and supporting
  This guide will help you forge closer relationships with small businesses, offering both a training presentation and a wealth of Windows Small Business Server 2003 technical and marketing resources.

Tools to help

• Demonstration tools
  Demonstrate to your customers how Small Business Server 2003 is the solution to their IT problems.
• Marketing tools
  Market the product in a way that makes sense to your customers. Use customisable and re-brandable letters to offer solutions to your future customers.
• Presentation
  Present the right messages. This PowerPoint presentation highlights existing issues in small-business processes and IT systems, and offers workable, sustainable solutions.