SBSC West Region Southwest Area

SBS Standard 2011 exam

Debi Bush — Fri, 27 May 2011 17:49:40 +0000

For any of you in the Southwest Region who have had someone at your firm who has passed this exam, please contact me and include your MPN ID. Microsoft SBSC group needs to get in touch with you.

Less Than 1 Week Until SBS 2011 Event Launches in Denver

Debi Bush — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 03:10:56 +0000

There is still time and seating capacity to register for the April 7th launch event to be held at the Microsoft office in the Denver Tech Center. John Hermann and Bryan Von Axelson are the hosts for this sought after and requested event. Debi Bush, SBSC Advisory Board member and owner of a computer support and consulting firm in Denver, has been promoting this event with her Microsoft colleagues.

All you need is your Windows Live ID to register for this event.

SBS 2011 launch event in Denver – Registration is now open

Debi Bush — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 23:59:46 +0000

OK all – act fast on registering yourself or a team member! One registration per Windows Live ID.

Event is Thursday, April 7th from 10:30am-1:30pm MT.

https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032481187&Culture=en-US

Hope to see many of you there!

SBS 2011 Launch Event Coming To Denver on April 7th

Debi Bush — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:33:41 +0000

SAVE THE DATE:
April 7th from 10:30am – 1:30pm
Microsoft Regional office in Denver
Learn about SBS 2011 from technical, marketing and sales and implementation perspectives.

Registration link will be made available week of 3/14/11. Be on the lookout for registration because there is seating capacity of only 100 and the seats will go fast!

Maintain your SBSC status

Debi Bush — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 00:17:53 +0000

My firm, CMIT Solutions of Denver, just completed becoming compliant for SBSC per the new MPN requirements. We took the marketing and sales assessment and the 70-653 technical exam. Passed both. Phew! The marketing and sales assessment for SBSC (and all MPN competencies) is an online test that is free. It just takes a bit of time to take the exam.

I was a bit nervous about getting compliant. I am not the one to take the exams (haven’t done well on standardized tests starting with the SAT) and I am serving my 2nd term on the SBSC Advisory Board. Our renewal date is the end of February so it was getting a bit too close for me. It wouldn’t look too good for a Board member firm to be out of compliance.

Thanks to my business partner, Phil, and senior engineer, Brent, for helping me breathe a sigh of relief.

If you have any questions about maintaining your SBSC status or want to become SBSC, contact me by email.

3 Days Left to Claim $500 in SBSC Exclusive Marketing Funds

Debi Bush — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 19:47:06 +0000

Don’t say that I didn’t tell you so when it’s 2011 and you failed to take advantage of these funds. If you have not yet taken advantage of this offer, go now to www.mspartnerdirect.com/rebate. Do not pass GO unless collect the $500 in marketing funds and services.

See previous posts for additional information.

Happy New Year!

Section 179 is great for hardware and software purchases for your clients

Debi Bush — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:13:03 +0000

Thanks to a recently updated tax deduction titled “Section 179 Election”, the Federal Government now allows you to buy up to $500,000 in machinery, computers, software, office furniture, vehicles, or other tangible goods and thereby REDUCING your taxable income on your current year’s tax return.

Effective 09/27/2010, H.R. 5297 (the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010) had a substantial (and welcome) impact on Section 179. The biggest impact is that it increased Section 179′s deduction from $250,000 to $500,000. This could mean a substantial boost to your bottom line this year. But to get the deduction for tax year 2010, you have to act now, as once the clock strikes midnight on 12/31/2010, Section 179 can’t help your 2010 profits anymore.

If you want to see how much small businesses love the Section 179 deduction, take a little peek inside any office furniture or equipment store between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Chances are you’ll see lots of buyers racking up some year-end deductions!

24 days left (or less) to claim your SBSC exclusive marketing funds

Debi Bush — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:12:47 +0000

This is my final (probably) reminder about the wonderful offer for Microsoft Small Business Specialists. There is $500 of fully reimbursable marketing funds there for the taking. Personally, I took advantage of Jigsaw and received the reimbursement check yesterday. Very fast turn around. Some partners are purchasing oversized, customizable and co-branded postcards with their funds. It’s up to you. No excuses.

SBSC Advisory Board wants your feedback

Debi Bush — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 02:45:56 +0000

This fiscal year your SBSC Advisory Board which includes our colleagues at Microsoft are finding new ways to communicate with the Small Business Specialist Community. To help us help you and to increase the value of being SBSC (the blue badge), I am reaching out to my Southwest Region SBSC partners for your feedback, insights and suggestions.

- Are you compliant with the SBSC qualifications under the new Microsoft Partner Network (MPN)?
- Do you need expert assistance or direction in understanding the MPN and where your firm should focus?
- What level partner competency will you strive for? SBSC, Silver, Gold, Registered
- If you participate in any kind of local user group or programs held by a regional Microsoft office, please elaborate.

This is a good start.

Remember, our Microsoft Southwest Region is proud to have all 4 existing Microsoft Stores. If there is one in your area, please check it out and speak with the advisors at the store as to how you can leverage them and the Store to build value to your business.

SBSC Advisory Board is back in action

Debi Bush — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:49:40 +0000

Just finished the first call of the new fiscal year with my peers on the SBSC Advisory Board for FY ’11. Steve Measelle is our new leader from Microsoft. He is based in New York.

Did you know that there is a new ReadyToGo marketing funds $500 offer? Check it out on the partner site.

Are you a member of the SBSC LinkedIn group?

Get engaged!