A Partner's Tale...

We often talk about how partners can influence the sale of Microsoft products to their customers. You know what really works?

Use them yourself!

Was talking to a longtime acquaintance today, Mike Petrov (it's his birthday) from DigitEdge. He's got customers like Bloomingdales, March of Dimes, and Leukemia and Lymphoma society. A 15 person shop (w/add'l 10 people coding in Russia).

Mike's a HUGE guy, a former Russian boxer, who has scars on his hands from the number of times his fingers/hands have been broken, but he's got a gentle soul...except for when it comes to incompetent technologists (more on that later).

He's also a VERY serious technologist and doesn't have time for stuff that doesn't meet his needs.

After the usual Microsoft-ribbing that everyone gives me, you know what he said.

"Actually, I am VERY happy with Microsoft now.

We got off of SalesForce and Quickbooks and went to Small Business Accounting and Outlook Business Contact Manager.

You know what?

It works really well together. My finance guy loves it. We're on one platform now and it much, much better."

 Then he went on to tell me that he has a SQL cluster that he hasn't rebooted in 2 years!

"Anyone who tells you that any technology doesn't work...they're lying. The technology works. You just have to know what you are doing. There are a lot of dumb idiots out there."

His point: for his business, Microsoft is the BEST solution available. And you know what, that makes him a much better salesperson. Which explains how he's landed some big accounts and continues to grow each year.

Something to think about.

Comments

• Anonymous
  June 08, 2007
  I think our database is on that SQL cluster. Happy birthday to Mike!

• Anonymous
  June 08, 2007
  Happy Birthday, Misha!