From the universe to the workplace

Professor Brian Cox, Physicist used the field of Cosmology to explain how our world views have changed over time as scientists challenged current theories. As Einstein challenged the concept of absolute space and absolute time with his own space-time theory, sometimes ideas come along which require a complete reformation of current thoughts. Brian encouraged the audience to be optimistic, think carefully and be inspired by new ideas.

Defining digital leadership

Toni Townes-Whitley, Corporate Vice President Industry, Microsoft defined digital leadership. It’s not enough to transform – you need to transform continually, implement technology responsibly and ensure technology is inclusive for all. She talked about the Digital Feedback Loop. How companies such as Netflix and ASOS use customer feedback and product telemetry to continually improve, thereby bringing in more customers, who bring in more data which ultimately brings in more customers.

Empowering people to achieve more

Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Chief Accessibility Officer, Microsoft highlighted the importance of inclusivity in technology, to ensure the more than 1 billion people with a disability in the world can participate. She then introduced Microsoft employee Kenny Singh who has a visual impairment. He shared how the Seeing AI app gives him more independence, empowerment and dignity. For example, Kenny (who is into fitness) uses the app to help him identify his protein bars and identify people with whom he is interacting.

Digital transformation: an Australian perspective

David Thodey, Chairman CSIRO, Chair Jobs for NSW provided a perspective on digital transformation in Australia. With a focus on people and culture, he shared four principles to help navigate the journey of transformation. He discussed the importance of creating an environment of continuous reinvention, the power of building a culture founded in trust, and the criticality of a learner mindset for leadership.

Creating a powerhouse growth engine in Australia

Mark Leigh, Director, One Commercial Partner, Microsoft quantified the local digital transformation opportunity within the context of a world moving toward an innovation landscape defined by the intelligent cloud and the intelligent edge. Mark explored the local opportunities that partners can focus on and invest in, within Microsoft’s four solution areas which power the successful digital transformation of customers.

Julia White, Corporate Vice President Cloud Platform, Microsoft uncovered the power of the Azure platform, showing the opportunity for Partners in the Infrastructure and AI space. Julia highlighted the number of services now available on Azure and Microsoft's commitment to the local Australian market with significant data centre investments. Julia also covered how Azure services creates a repeatable, sophisticated customer experience.

Industry Focused. Partner Powered

Joel Borellis, One Commercial Partner Technical Lead, Microsoft Worldwide shared global insights on best practices and learnings for building successful practices. He highlighted examples such as productising an existing service; maximising specialities with a fixed scope and price repeatable offerings; and riding on a new technology wave such as blockchain and being the first to take it to market.

Continuing the theme of global insights, Toni Townes-Whitley, Corporate Vice President Industry, Microsoft shared global customer insights and industry trends. Toni highlighted the importance for partners to look at the market and characterise their capability in relation to customer outcomes. Examples of market motions included the competitive dynamic in Retail; investment in risk and payment platforms in Financial Services and cloud first policies in Government. She explored why it’s critical for partners to ride these waves and put an industry veneer on what she calls the new diagonal – solutions not quite sitting in either the vertical or horizontal eg. Predictive maintenance, precision operations.

Microsoft Australia Partner Awards

Microsoft Australia Partner Award (MAPA) winners were announced The MAPA awards, which celebrate the successes and innovations of Microsoft Partners were announced before a packed Partner Keynote session.

Congratulations to the 2017 MAPA Winners across the following categories:

• GIS People
• Transform your Products Award for Excellence: Advance Computing
• Empower your Employees Award for Excellence: Insync Technology
• Engage your Customers Award for Excellence: Avanade
• Cloud for Good: Cloud Collective and Single Cell

Networking with purpose

Partners were able to make genuine connections whilst making a difference by participating in the 'ConnectMe' structured networking sessions. These were hands on workgroups for partners to explore practical ways to make a positive contribution to society across six areas: Health & Wellbeing; Children, Education & Skills; Poverty & Homelessness; Public Safety & Cyber Security; Indigenous Economic Inclusion.

Accelerating your sales cycle

Mark Stuyt, Chief Engagement Officer, Neural Impact showed how industry oriented sales professionals are more focused and find it easier to teach a prospect something new. Building this framework along with an emotional messaging strategy can help deliver higher win rates whilst investing less time on the sales process.