Sooner or later, I'm going to be asked: Why set up another web site? Isn't the Internet full yet? :-)
The main reason has to do with TS2's purpose. We present to Microsoft Partner audiences all around the United States, and are the "face of Microsoft" to many partners. We talk to as many people as we can, but there's only about a dozen of us, and a LOT of partners. So how can we be effective advocates for Microsoft Partners?
Our best bet is to create a model that scales effectively, which is why we started this site. I may only get to Wyoming once or twice a year, but if you're a partner in Cheyenne I should be available to you throughout the year. Better yet, there should be a place where you can talk with peers, ask questions, argue, complain, congratulate, celebrate, share stories, and anything else you want--irrespective of geographical location. Microsoft sites like www.msreadiness.com are a fantastic wealth of information, but they're better at one-way communication than two-way interaction. TS2Community.com puts us on an even level, and helps us to get to know each other a lot better. In turn, the TS2 team can do a much better job creating a value-niche between Microsoft and its partners--which means we'll be able to do our jobs better. It's a win^4!
There's another reason, too, which I'd like to share with you. I've been thinking about offering more business management advice to partners, and I realized that it's rather presumptuous of me to decide what partners want. Sure, I have some good industry knowledge and I've worked for a few Microsoft Partners, but my own experience is just anecdotal evidence. What the TS2 team really needs is a way for partners to tell us what they want, not the other way around. If I learned anything in my years of consulting, it's that you need to listen to your customers. Microsoft Partners are my customers, so I wanted to create a way to listen to you. The lot of you, not just the ones who attend TS2 seminars!
So here we are. You can browse the site anonymously, or become an active member and post to the forum and galleries. If you're a Microsoft Small Business Specialist or Microsoft MVP, you can request your own blog. Above all, and most importantly, let us know how the TS2 team can help you succeed!