Practice Leading: For Emerging And Curious Leaders Of Microsoft Partner Practices podcast

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Practice Leading: for emerging and curious leaders of Microsoft partner practices

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Practice Leading is for emerging and curious practice leaders of Microsoft partner businesses. I’m Neil Benson and, if you’re anything like me with an unquenchable curiosity and zero tolerance for BS, you’ve come to the right place. Together we’ll learn from innovators and investors, executives and entrepreneurs, and business leaders and business coaches that have already left their stamp on the world and those that are exploring new and smarter ways building their businesses. Whether it’s ground-breaking innovations, hiring high-performing teams, or the sheer force of will to disrupt our industry, each episode is a masterclass from the trailblazers who have achieved significant success. Find Practice Leading on YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and learn from the mentors you wish you had earlier in your career.

6 επεισόδια

Practice Leading: for emerging and curious leaders of Microsoft partner practices

updated πριν 9 μέρες

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6 επεισόδια

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1
Talent Acquisition in a Boutique Consultancy with Bob Bell, ITK Consulting 34:01

πριν 9 μέρες34:01

34:01

#5. Today, I'm learning from Bob Bell, CEO of boutique technology services firm ITK Consulting in Canada. Bob is an expert in business administration and has a track record of leading business in several different industries before cofounding ITK in 2016. Bob shares how his superpower lies in his attention to administrative details—a skill that allows his team to focus on essential tasks like sales and delivery. We explore how Bob prioritizes tasks, his strategies for keeping overhead costs lean, and his philosophy on balancing employee and subcontractor roles. Bob also discusses the critical decision of when to bring expertise in-house and how his firm approaches talent acquisition and HR functions, aiming to build a robust, dynamic team. This episode is packed with valuable insights for leaders navigating the complexities of small-to-midsize business growth and looking to foster a culture of efficiency and collaboration. KEY LESSONS Hiring a talent manager. We’ve just hired three new principal consultants and engaged a recruiter to help us find 6 or 7 more team members over the next three months. Pretty soon I think we can justify a part-time talent manager to help us establish better recruitment, onboarding and talent management processes and ensure we follow them, and then help us with our next rounds of recruitment when we need to expand. I love your advice in this area. Thanks for that, Bob. Balancing contractors and employees. I share a lot of your views on the value of bringing in contractors with specific skills and investing in the careers of employees in their training and bonuses over and above the benefits provided to contractors. Superware needs to continue to find ways to make our business a great place for employees to build a long-term career, while at the same time engaging contractors when we need to and recognising the differences between them and the differences in how they like to be compensated and engaged. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 People are the product in a consulting business 00:18 Introduction to Bob Bell 02:21 Bob Bell's fondness for administrative tasks 04:32 Prioritizing tasks and client-first philosophy 06:08 Knowing when to bring in an expert 08:05 Deciding company size and in-house roles 10:12 Importance of talent acquisition and HR functions 13:36 Challenges in finding the right HR talent 15:29 The role of subcontractors and employee balance 19:13 Overcoming perceptions of being a small firm 21:06 Conscious choice of subcontractors and employees balance 26:34 The value of an internship program RESOURCES Bob Bell on LinkedIn ITK Consulting on LinkedIn ITK Consulting website 👋 LET'S CONNECT 🌐 Subscribe to Practice Leading newsletter for key lesson takeaways and special event invitations 🟥 Subscribe on YouTube 🟦 Follow on LinkedIn 🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn 🦋 Neil Benson on BlueSky 🧪 PRACTICE LEADING LAB FOR EMERGING LEADERS Apply to join Practice Leading Lab ⭐ RATE AND REVIEW THE SHOW Rate Practice Leading…

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Building Diverse and Empathetic Leadership with Areti Iles 37:58

πριν 23 μέρες37:58

37:58

#4. Today I'm learning from Areti Iles. She's the Head of Professional Services for Enterprise Applications at Telefonica Tech in the UK. Having started in technology with end-user organisations transitioned into consulting in 2016 and joined Telefonica Tech in 2021. She's active in her local user group community, and committed to helping others advance their career, especially women and people from underrepresented backgrounds. Areti shares her unique perspective on leadership, broadening it beyond traditional constraints and emphasizing its multifaceted nature beyond just dealing with people. Her insights challenge conventional leadership notions, encouraging a broader understanding of what it truly means to lead. 🔑 KEY LESSONS Broadened leadership definition : Leadership isn't just about managing a team—it's about influencing and inspiring, often without a formal title. Whether you're steering projects or guiding personal growth, leadership starts with yourself. Empathy as a core characteristic : While managers might focus on task completion, true leaders invest in creating a supportive, nurturing environment. Empathy plays a crucial role in understanding your team's goals and helping them achieve them. Diversity drives innovation : Surrounding yourself with diverse talents addresses potential blind spots, fostering better decision-making and innovation. This isn't just a buzzword—it's a strategic advantage. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 The challenge of uncommunicated expectations in promotions 00:38 Welcome to Practice Leading with Neil Benson 02:27 Definition of leadership beyond traditional roles 04:28 Differences between leaders and managers 07:06 The importance of empathy in leadership 13:49 Can missing leadership traits be complemented? 17:08 The role of diversity and inclusion in leadership 19:44 The adaptability of leaders to different personalities 21:58 Characteristics of a great leader 27:15 Remembering impactful leaders in personal life 31:46 Empowering employees to express career goals 34:29 Providing support for leaders and their wellbeing 🗺️ RESOURCES Areti Iles on LinkedIn Telefonica Tech on LinkedIn The Four Tendencies: The Indispensable Personality Profiles That Reveal How to Make Your Life Better (and Other People's Lives Better, Too) by Gretchen Rubin 👋 LET'S CONNECT 🌐 Subscribe to Practice Leading newsletter for key lesson takeaways and special event invitations 🟥 Subscribe on YouTube 🟦 Follow on LinkedIn 🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn 🦋 Neil Benson on BlueSky 🧪 PRACTICE LEADING LAB FOR EMERGING LEADERS Apply to join Practice Leading Lab ⭐ RATE AND REVIEW THE SHOW Rate Practice Leading…

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The future of pricing models in the Microsoft partner ecosystem with Ben Vollmer 32:55

πριν 5 weeks32:55

32:55

#3. Ben Vollmer is a Senior Vice President at RSM US responsible for growing their Power Factory offering. He is probably best known in the Microsoft community as the former global director of Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Field Service business. Ben’s a prolific presenter at Microsoft conferences with a reputation for helping partners level up their pricing and delivery models. Ben and I have a fascinating discussion about the evolution of pricing and how Microsoft partners and customers might exchange value. Traditionally, partners have delivered services and charged based a timesheet and a rate card. How is that model changing? One option we discuss is outcome-based pricing, but do customers really want outcome-based pricing? There are challenges here too. We also pull apart the user-story point estimation and pricing approach that Superware uses. And, we ask whether blended teams are necessary for success and how customers should eventually assume full ownership of the applications partners build. KEY LESSONS The Evolution of Pricing Models. The conversation delves into the shift from traditional time-based pricing to outcome-based pricing and other innovative pricing models. Ben offers a deep dive into how pricing can both reflect and drive a company's culture and strategy. While value-based pricing presents opportunities, implementing it successfully remains a challenge. Empowering Customers. Ben emphasizes the importance of customer empowerment and enablement. He suggests that partners need to focus on training and ensuring clients have the knowledge to manage applications independently post-deployment. As Neil Benson notes, building empowerment capabilities could be a key area of growth for Superware, aligning with the need for blended teams and client self-sufficiency. Focusing on Micro Verticals. Ben advises honing in on micro vertical segments — niche markets where tailored solutions can bring significant value. This focus allows for streamlined implementations, enhancing client satisfaction and business predictability. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 The end of traditional agile waterfall methodologies 00:33 Introduction to Practice Leading and Ben Vollmer 02:25 Evolution of pricing models in Microsoft partnerships 02:43 How pricing drives a Microsoft partner's culture 05:07 Pricing strategy for ISVs and services 06:32 The shift from implementation to enablement and managed services 08:05 Challenges with outcome-based pricing 11:48 Discussing pricing methods tied to customer value 15:48 Importance of blended teams and customer ownership 18:16 Micro vertical expertise and predictable revenue for partners 24:17 Necessity of enablement and training in service models 30:35 Final thoughts on pricing and practice growth strategies RESOURCES Ben Vollmer on LinkedIn RSM US on LinkedIn 👋 LET'S CONNECT 🌐 Subscribe to Practice Leading newsletter for key lesson takeaways and special event invitations 🟥 Subscribe on YouTube 🟦 Follow on LinkedIn 🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn 🦋 Neil Benson on BlueSky 🧪 PRACTICE LEADING LAB FOR EMERGING LEADERS Apply to join Practice Leading Lab ⭐ RATE AND REVIEW THE SHOW Rate Practice Leading…

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What's your "Why?" for becoming a leader? with Joel Lindstrom 31:37

πριν 7 weeks31:37

31:37

#02. Today I'm learning from Joel Lindstrom. Joel is a senior director at Hitachi Solutions America, where he oversees the Power Platform, Low-Code and Automation team. Before joining the Microsoft channel as a solution architect with Customer Effective, Joel sold office equipment. Customer Effective was acquired by Hitachi Solutions seven years later, and Joel has been building his career there for over a decade. Joel has a long history with the Microsoft MVP program and he also played a pivotal role in giving Neil a break in podcasting back in 2017. KEY LESSONS Defining Leadership Goals : Joel emphasizes the importance of understanding why you want to be a leader. It's not just about the impressive title or the increased salary; it's about embracing the additional responsibilities and making a positive impact on your team. Managing Yourself First : Before taking on a leadership role, Joel advises assessing your personal habits and time management skills. Can you manage your own mindset and health effectively? These are crucial skills for managing a team. Empowering Your Team : One of Joel's greatest joys in leadership is seeing his team members succeed. He believes in the power of nurturing talent and celebrating the achievements of others, even if it means they surpass him in rank. Monday Morning Updates : Joel shares a practice of sending out Monday morning messages to his team, acknowledging successes and setting priorities for the week. It's a simple yet effective way to maintain team cohesion and focus. Continuous Learning : While Joel values keeping technical certifications current, he acknowledges that every leader can show commitment to continuous learning in their own way. It's about setting a strong example for your team. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Joel on managing a project vs. a team 00:46 Introduction to Practice Leading and guest Joel Lindstrom 01:46 Joel Lindstrom's career journey 03:22 Finding your 'why' in leadership 06:57 Challenges in transitioning to leadership 07:21 The joys of leadership 10:07 Recognizing team achievements 14:03 Managing yourself before managing others 18:13 Handling an unpredictable schedule as a leader 22:50 Strategies for balancing meetings and deep work 26:41 The importance of self-management 28:23 The role of certifications for leaders RESOURCES Joel Lindstrom on LinkedIn Hitachi Solutions America on LinkedIn Punish By Rewards by Alfie Kohn Deep Work by Cal Newport Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport 👋 LET'S CONNECT 🌐 Subscribe to Practice Leading newsletter for key lesson takeaways and special event invitations 🟥 Subscribe on YouTube 🟦 Follow on LinkedIn 🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn 🦋 Neil Benson on BlueSky 🧪 PRACTICE LEADING LAB FOR EMERGING LEADERS Apply to join Practice Leading Lab ⭐ RATE AND REVIEW THE SHOW Rate Practice Leading…

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Culture Over Hierarchy: Tech Labs London's Unique Recruitment and Retention Strategies 40:18

πριν 9 weeks40:18

40:18

#1. Mohamed Mostafa is the founder and managing director of TechLabs London, the company behind iProperty Cloud, the housing management platform build on the Microsoft cloud. He has been recognised as a Microsoft MVP since 2016, a Microsoft FastTrack Solution Architect, and holds an MBA from Henley Business School. KEY LESSONS Join the Practice Leading mailing list to get sent a PDF summary of the key insights and lessons from every episode. Visit practiceleading.com and enter your first name and email on the homepage. In our discussion, Mohamed shared some invaluable insights and strategies on building a successful team and a thriving business culture. Here are three key takeaways: Embrace Diversity in Hiring: Mohamed emphasized the importance of moving beyond hiring clones. A rich mix of backgrounds, experiences, and skills not only enriches the workplace but also significantly improves business delivery. He advocates for a hiring process blind to ethnicity, religion, and personal background, focusing instead on cultural fit and qualification. Invest in Apprenticeships: TechLabs London places high value on apprenticeships, bringing in young recruits and training them in technology and consultancy. This approach not only nurtures talent but provides fresh perspectives. While apprentices often move on to other Microsoft partners, their contribution during their tenure is invaluable. Foster a Dynamic Work Culture: TechLabs London has done away with strict hierarchies and promotes a fluid structure where employees can engage in multiple roles and projects. This "holacracy" structure, along with cross-departmental collaboration, ensures a vibrant work environment where innovation thrives. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 How hiring similar backgrounds limits diversity 00:31 Introduction to Practice Leading Podcast 03:24 Importance of people in consulting businesses 05:01 Creating a positive work environment 08:40 Implementing holacracy at TechLabs London 11:49 Benefits of diverse roles in teams 14:48 Innovative hiring strategies 17:15 Hiring industry experts and apprentices 20:23 Challenges and benefits of hiring apprentices 23:06 Strategies for unbiased recruitment 30:23 Gathering industry expertise for product development 36:19 Mohamed's key interview question for cultural fit RESOURCES TechLabs London website TechLabs London on LinkedIn iProperty Cloud website Mohamed Mostafa on LinkedIn Maverick: The Success Story Behind the World's Most Unusual Workplace by Ricardo Semler Holacracy: The New Management System for a Rapidly Changing World by Brian J. Robertson Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose by Tony Hsieh 👋 LET'S CONNECT 🌐 Subscribe to Practice Leading newsletter for key lesson takeaways and special event invitations 🟥 Subscribe on YouTube 🟦 Follow on LinkedIn 🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn 🦋 Neil Benson on BlueSky 🧪 PRACTICE LEADING LAB FOR EMERGING LEADERS Apply to join Practice Leading Lab ⭐ RATE AND REVIEW THE SHOW Rate Practice Leading…

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Practice Leading trailer 2:37

πριν 18 weeks2:37