Project management, training, and Microsoft channel life with Neil Benson

Life in the Microsoft channel has changed over the years, and while our guest, Microsoft MVP Neil Benson, has never been far from that world of license rules, ISV solutions, and partner programs, his recent experiences with his new venture, Superware, have been instructive, he says.   Working with Microsoft in 2023 is not like working with them  in 2013 or 2006, and Neil explains some of the ways he and other partners are adapting. In addition to getting a new industry-focused software and services business off the ground, Neil continues to develop training programs for the Microsoft community, blog, podcast, and think more broadly about where the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform ecosystem is headed. Show Notes: 1:30 - The launch of a new business 3:30 - Working in Australia's carefully regulated superannuation industry 7:00 - Aligning with Microsoft's industry category approach 8:15 - Applying agile concepts with Superware projects and clients 10:00 - The latest stats on Neil's online courses 14:30 - How do fusion teams align with agile development teams 20:15 - How to estimate the size of the total pool of Dynamics professionals? 22:30 - Developing new skilled workers for the Dynamics and Power Platform ecosystem 26:00 - The challenges of launching a career today 27:30 - Building a channel business in 2023 vs 2006 36:30 - Can Microsoft adequately support its broad landscape of partners? 38:00 - Conference outlook