The PartnerTalks Podcast with Rick McCutcheon

Rick McCutcheon
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This is your front-row seat to the people shaping the Microsoft Business Applications world, where we chat with partners, MVPs, and experts about the ideas, trends, and real-world lessons helping businesses grow and keep up.

  1. Jul 17

    AI and the Microsoft Channel: What Every Partner Needs to Know | John Siefert, Dynamic Communities | Episode 330

    AI is reshaping the Microsoft Partner ecosystem, changing how organizations sell solutions, deliver services, and scale their businesses. In this episode of PartnerTalks, host Rick McCutcheon sits down with Dynamic Communities CEO John Siefert to explore how Microsoft Partners are adapting to the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and what it means for the future of the channel. The conversation highlights key topics surrounding the upcoming AI Business Solutions Partner Executive Summit and Community Summit North America, including evolving Partner business models, the importance of AI quality assurance, and the growing role of Partner-to-Partner collaboration. John also shares why some of the most valuable insights in the Microsoft ecosystem often happen in informal conversations between industry leaders. Whether you're a Microsoft Partner, MSP, ISV, systems integrator, or channel executive, this episode offers practical insights into AI adoption, leadership strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the Microsoft Business Applications community.

  2. Jul 10

    How Manufacturers Can Modernize with Business Central | Andrew Good, Liberty Grove Software | Episode 329

    In this episode of PartnerTalks, host Rick McCutcheon sits down with Andrew Good from Liberty Grove Software to discuss digital transformation, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, and what it takes to successfully modernize business operations. Andrew shares his experience helping manufacturers, distributors, food companies, and other specialized industries replace manual processes with real-time ERP solutions. The conversation explores why successful transformation requires more than just implementing new software, including the critical role of change management, process improvement, and helping teams adapt to new ways of working. Whether you're a manufacturer exploring ERP modernization, a Microsoft Partner supporting SMB customers, or a business leader looking at the future of AI and Business Central, this episode provides practical insights into building a stronger digital foundation.

  3. Jul 8

    Business Central Growth Strategy: How Innovia is Growing | Alan Wyne, Innovia Consulting | Episode 308

    In this episode of PartnerTalks, host Rick McCutcheon sits down with Alan Wyne, CEO of Innovia Consulting, to discuss the company's unique Business Central growth strategy. Instead of prioritizing net-new software sales, Innovia helps businesses already using Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Dynamics 365 Business Central that have outgrown or become dissatisfied with their current implementation partner. Alan explains how Innovia consistently brings on around 30 new customers each year by serving what many in the Microsoft channel call "orphaned" customers. He shares why specialization has been central to the company's success, the importance of deep Business Central expertise after go-live, and how partners can create long-term value by helping organizations unlock more from their existing ERP investment. Whether you're a Microsoft Partner, Dynamics 365 Business Central consultant, ERP leader, or business evaluating your current Business Central implementation, this episode offers practical insights into customer retention, managed services, and sustainable growth in the Microsoft ecosystem.

  4. Jul 7

    Fenwick Power BI Report Packs and the Microsoft Signal | Brad Foot, Fenwick Apps | Episode 310

    In this episode of PartnerTalks, host Rick McCutcheon is joined by Brad Foot, CEO of Fenwick Apps, to discuss the company's journey from a small Navision consulting firm in Australia to one of the leading Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) in the Microsoft Dynamics ecosystem. Brad shares how Fenwick Apps turned real-world implementation knowledge into a portfolio of nearly 70 core Business Central apps and more than 100 AppSource listings spanning apps, connectors, and solution packs. He also explains why interoperability is essential for Microsoft Partners and customers, and tells the story of how Fenwick's Power BI reporting solution was acquired by Microsoft and integrated into the standard Business Central experience. Whether you're a Microsoft Partner, Dynamics 365 Business Central consultant, ISV, or business leader looking to extend Business Central with apps, this episode offers valuable insights into building scalable software solutions for the Microsoft ecosystem.

  5. Jul 3

    VOICES Conference Launch: A New Virtual Event for Microsoft Partner Marketers | Monica Hoyer, VOICES | Episode 330

    In this episode of PartnerTalks, host Rick McCutcheon sits down with Monica Hoyer to discuss the launch of VOICES Conference, a new one-day virtual conference created specifically for marketers in the Microsoft Business Applications Partner ecosystem. Marketers working with Microsoft Business Applications often have limited opportunities to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. Monica shares how VOICES Conference aims to fill that gap with a full day of partner-to-partner learning, practical marketing strategies, and networking opportunities designed exclusively for the Microsoft Partner community. Rick and Monica explore what attendees can expect on November 12, including expert-led tracks covering AI, thought leadership, marketing data, and the evolving Microsoft ecosystem. They also discuss the conference's call for speakers, why first-time presenters are encouraged to apply, and the value of on-demand session recordings after the event. To learn more about the conference and to register, visit: voicesconference.com

  6. Jul 2

    Why Specialist ISVs Still Matter in Batch Manufacturing | Randy Smith, Vicinity Software | Episode 304

    Batch manufacturing presents a unique set of challenges that traditional ERP implementations often fail to address. In this episode of PartnerTalks, host Rick McCutcheon is joined by Randy Smith of Vicinity Software to discuss why Microsoft Partners looking to grow their manufacturing practice need to understand the differences between discrete and process manufacturing. Drawing from decades of experience, Randy shares the moment he realized that industry-specific functionality could outperform even the strongest ERP demonstrations. The conversation explores why process manufacturers require software built around formulas, quality management, compliance, traceability, and product development rather than treating those capabilities as customizations layered onto a standard ERP implementation. The discussion also examines how successful Microsoft Partners divide responsibilities with specialist ISVs, allowing Partners to focus on finance, distribution, warehousing, and customer relationships while manufacturing experts handle the complexities of production, quality, compliance, and research and development. For Microsoft Partners pursuing opportunities in manufacturing, this episode highlights why vertical expertise matters and how partnering with specialist ISVs can open the door to larger, more successful Business Central implementations.

  7. Jul 1

    Business Central Scheduling Still Breaks In Excel | Hendrik Bulens, Dime Software | Episode 307

    In this episode of PartnerTalks, host Rick McCutcheon is joined by Hendrik Bulens, Managing Partner at Dime Software, to explore how AI is reshaping scheduling while still keeping human planners firmly in control. For many growing firms in field service, professional services, and engineering, planning often starts in Excel, Outlook, or informal manual systems. However, as volume increases and operational complexity grows, these tools begin to break down, creating gaps in visibility, billing accuracy, resource allocation, and delivery performance. The conversation highlights why Excel remains one of the most widely used planning tools globally, even as its limitations become more pronounced in scaling organizations. Once scheduling spans multiple jobs, resources, stock, and time entries, fragmented data leads to conflicting versions of the truth and operational inefficiencies.

  8. Jun 28

    Partners Can Turn Regression Testing Into Recurring Revenue | Dan Diefendorf, TheTestMart | Episode 305

    In this episode of PartnerTalks, host Rick McCutcheon is joined by Dan Diefendorf of TheTestMart to explore how Partners can turn release readiness and testing into a durable, recurring revenue stream. As Microsoft continues its "innovation is constant" approach to business applications, organizations are required to validate that monthly, quarterly, and wave-based updates do not disrupt core business processes. That responsibility spans customers, Microsoft, and Partners, but real-world regression testing ultimately happens in each customer's unique environment, where data, configurations, and extensions all behave differently.

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This is your front-row seat to the people shaping the Microsoft Business Applications world, where we chat with partners, MVPs, and experts about the ideas, trends, and real-world lessons helping businesses grow and keep up.

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