Voices for Innovation

Has anyone attended one of these events before?  I was thinking about attending the one in March.  Your feedback is appreciated.

I have actually attended several. I would definitely attend a lot more of them but often times they are too far away. I run my own Business and am a "One Man Band" so to speak so taking a day to travel, a day to attend and another day to travel punches a huge hole in my Business. However, in the event that you do get to attend one of these events and Technology is one of your interest as well as growth, by all means do whatever you can to get there. You will learn a lot from the instructor{s} but the greatest knowledge you will gain will be from the networking you can do with others who are just like you or are involved in areas that you are looking to get into. Hope this helps.

Ty

My company, Eagle Secure Solutions, LLC, has had the Microsoft Across America truck twice. And, we have never regretted our decisions! With the last visit, we've spawned a local Technology Fair at a local college. Aside from the truck, we invited a number of other businesses to come and display how they use technology every day. This prompted visits from a wide range of guests.

My best advice about the truck is, "Try it, you'll Love it!"

Russell, two questions:

 Did you feel like you generated new business from people that came to see the bus?  Or did it just create a more general networking opportunity?  Could you say something about what was on the bus and what potential customers found most compelling.  Thanks.

 Message from: DELevin

"Did you feel like you generated new business from people that came to see the bus?  Or did it just create a more general networking opportunity?  Could you say something about what was on the bus and what potential customers found most compelling."

The answer to the first question is very easy. We generated interest with at least a dozen small to mid-sized businesses, and picked up a number of jobs from individuals. Thus far, we have either completed work for, or had a private conference with, about one-third of the businesses. And, we'll be working on projects with some of the businesses we invited to display how they use technology. For example. We'll be working with a telecommunications business (who is also one of our customers), to service the network systems and communications in a 15 site medical group.

The truck had an X-box, mobile devices, Vista, Servers 2003 and 2008, and Exchange 2007. The two things that caught the attention of business people were: Exchange 2007, with its tremendous flexibility, and the new Mobile OS (6.0, if I remember correctly).

We're already in the process of scheduling the bus again next year.

Russ

Having worked on the Microsoft Across America team for a few years I had the opportunity to see a number of partners launch successful truck events. The key to success was always in the preparation. The key was making sure customers heard about the event early and often. Partners used local media (newspapers, flyers, radio) to alert customers of the event. 

However, the partners that were most successful actually booked the truck in synchronicity with some larger event. One partner out in California that serviced the agricultural industry had the truck for the annual agricultural convention. More than 100,000 customers attended the conference and his Microsoft Across America 'booth' blew away his competition.

I would recommend looking for opportunities where customers gather and are in 'shopping' mode rather than trying to create all of the demand yourself. Keep an eye out for Chamber events, conventions, conferences, etc. and see if you can book the truck for the same time frame. Make sure the truck team knows what you are up to and ask if they can be flexible with the truck's schedule.

The Fashion Business Inc. video tells a great story about how partnering with Microsoft and leveraging the MSAM program can not only provide training and new opportunities for workers but, can also re-energize an entire industry and local economies.

Having worked on the Microsoft Across America team for a few years I had the opportunity to see a number of partners launch successful truck events. The key to success was always in the preparation. The key was making sure customers heard about the event early and often. Partners used local media (newspapers, flyers, radio) to alert customers of the event. 

However, the partners that were most successful actually booked the truck in synchronicity with some larger event. One partner out in California that serviced the agricultural industry had the truck for the annual agricultural convention. More than 100,000 customers attended the conference and his Microsoft Across America 'booth' blew away his competition.

I would recommend looking for opportunities where customers gather and are in 'shopping' mode rather than trying to create all of the demand yourself. Keep an eye out for Chamber events, conventions, conferences, etc. and see if you can book the truck for the same time frame. Make sure the truck team knows what you are up to and ask if they can be flexible with the truck's schedule.