Why In-Person Microsoft Events Matter More Than Ever | Heather Cook (Microsoft) скачать в хорошем качестве

Why In-Person Microsoft Events Matter More Than Ever | Heather Cook (Microsoft)

Microsoft community leader Heather Cook explains why in-person events, relationships, and human connection still drive careers in the AI era. In this episode of PartnerTalks, Heather Cook, Principal Customer Experience Manager at Microsoft, shares insights from two decades of community leadership across SharePoint, Microsoft 365, and global Partner events. Heather discusses: • Why in-person events have returned as a core growth engine for Microsoft Partners • How community involvement shapes careers, promotions, and opportunity • The real business value of relationships over transactional marketing • How AI and Copilot are changing how professionals learn and grow • Why Microsoft’s Partner ecosystem thrives on human connection Heather also reflects on her journey through SharePoint, Power Platform, and Microsoft 365, and explains how Partners can choose the right events, regions, and communities to invest in. 00:00 Welcome to PartnerTalks 00:21 Heather Cook’s role at Microsoft 01:00 The origin of The Curler Report 02:30 Community leadership and authenticity 03:10 Power Platform and Microsoft community growth 04:45 How Microsoft supports third-party events 06:10 The return of in-person events 07:30 Why relationships drive careers 09:00 How Partners should choose events 10:00 CommunityDays.org and regional strategy 11:15 Networking beyond the sessions 12:30 AI, Copilot, and career development 13:45 Closing thoughts on 2026