Microsoft Small Business Specialist (Update)

So I wrote about the Microsoft Small Business Specialist program that was announced yesterday at the World Wide Partner Conference. More interesting stuff is coming out of Microsoft regarding the benefits of the program, but if you’re doing anything with Microsoft in the smallbiz arena, suffice to say, you need to get it.

There are many details on where the program fits, but I’ll leave Microsoft’s propaganda machine to give you the details. Here is my opinion, based on all my work with Microsoft and Microsoft Partners:

This is the first big distinction Microsoft is making for individuals that specialize in Small Business IT. Essentially, it gives Microsoft’s seal of approval stating that you’re competent in smallbiz and they are behind you. This approach is very similar to the Microsoft Certified Partner program.

Whats more important is that this shows that you have support from Microsoft. Whether that is in the form of documentation, free PSS calls, free software, marketing collateral or anything else, it will definately show your clients that you have a real relationship with Microsoft.

What do I do now?

First, and the most important step is to train and pass the 70-282 Microsoft Certified Professional Exam. Details on this exam are available at Microsoft Learning : Exam 70-282: Planning, Deploying, and Managing a Network Solution for the Small and Medium-Sized Business.

You will not pass on your knowledge of SBS2003 wizards alone, you will need to train. Take a class, read a book, download a sample test, pay for a test simulation, read a book. Which book? Microsoft Small Business Specialist Primer & 70-282 Exam Preparation Guide by Beatrice Mulzer and Harry Brelsford. If you flip to the back (way, way back) appendix you’ll also find my 70-282 review 😉

After you have passed the test, you need to pass the Small Business Sales & Marketing Assessment which you can take over and over and over again until you figure out all the answers. No big deal, after all, this is what you’ll be doing all day long anyhow.

Long enough? There is a great community starting up on the smallbizserver.net forums where you can ask all the questions you want about this certification. I will take some time to post there from time to time so get the book, get the guides and get certified!