78 – Focus on Coming Out of This Year, Better Than Before.

Welcome to the 78th episode of the Ultimate Guide to Partnering™. For this episode, I was delighted to welcome a friend and former colleague, Linda Rendleman.

I met Linda many years ago when we both worked at Microsoft, and her career as a woman in technology has blossomed over the last few years.

Linda Rendleman has served as Vice President, North American Device Partner Solution Sales at Microsoft since August 2020. In her role, she leads the strategy, relationships, and business operations of the company's device solutions and partnerships to support building devices that consume our cloud, innovating with device partners, and transforming how we sell devices and services with partners. 

Linda focuses on helping channel partners capture more opportunities by rethinking how work is done and leverages aggregated solutions to increase business agility, work productivity, and operational efficiencies. 

I was excited to feature Linda to discuss her award-winning career as a woman in technology, her new role, her team's priorities and how the market is thinking differently now about devices. 

DEVICES ARE THE GATEWAY TO THE CLOUD

With so many of us working from home with the pandemic, using a first-class, modern computing device is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Selecting devices with excellent audio, video, and computing is essential.

Linda's team works with OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to design and build devices that best utilize the cloud with next-gen delivery models to transform the Modern Workplace.

Her Team's Priorities:

Champion the value of a modern device, both in commercial consumer and education channels - why a modern device is essential.Attaching client office and server perpetual licensing to those devices for businesses that aren't yet ready for the cloud.Closely align with OCP (One Commercial Partner) counterparts to support our partners in their Microsoft CSP (Cloud Solution Provider) attach motions.Transformational initiatives around selling the Commercial Intelligent Edge, including Azure Stack HCI offers, DaaS, Autopilot, and Microsoft Teams Rooms.

TEAM LEADERSHIP AT MICROSOFT & PARTNERSHIPS 

As this is the year of the essential worker, and the device is the essential worker.

Linda has a unique perspective on the Device Business as she held leadership roles as a Senior VP at a top partner and now as a VP at Microsoft.

In this tough year, I wanted to ask her how she is coaching her team and supporting her top partnerships.

Her Team? - performing and transforming is hard. Set boundaries to ensure you are working on your plan versus the plan work you. What Keeps Here Up at Night? - The care, concern, and support for her team and her partners during this challenging year.Attributes of Great Partnership? - Listen, have courage, take action when needed, take a step back when needed, really be invested—having a Growth Mindset, Empathy, and Trust.When Partnerships Failed - listen, open to giving and receiving advice, not seeking to understand, to get them on the path to success.  

HOW SHE GOT TO THIS SPOT IN HER JOURNEY 

Linda and I discuss her career journey and her path to a Vice President at Microsoft.

Here are some key takeaways:  

Self-improvement - focusing on health, educating herself on food, exercise, and well-being has improved her performance.Her Metamorphosis - after a dark period in her life, she regrouped and propelled her journey. It's okay to take a step sideways or back on your journey."Imposter Syndrome" - how shifting her mindset, being authentic, having an abundance mindset, and focusing on helping others - made all the difference.Her Focus Today - "being present" and "unexpected blessings"- it's hard to be stuck in a bad place when you are fully engaged and feeling grateful.

If you are a business leader, partner leader, or anyone looking to grow your career, I encourage you to listen to this valuable discussion with Linda ...