Cisco TSS - Soft Skills are key to success

This morning we had a Cisco Technology Solution Specialist (TSS) WebEx meeting going over things related to the TSS program. It seems that Cisco want to put all the TSS folks through two sets of training. Apparently we need to work on "Soft Skills" - which seems to imply that they want engineers out selling and closing deals at a higher volume in the current marketplace.

The economy is dictating this I think and it seems that presentation, quoting and closing are the most important skills for an engineer right now (outside of the engineering part.) Being able to engage and move through those three items without the need for account managers to be involved is becoming more important. This also allows for more feet on the street selling. AM's being pure hunters and SE's presenting solutions, quoting and often closing the deals.

Given how technical a sale for networking, storage, unified communications and security are this makes a lot of sense so I am looking forward to the training.
I wonder if Microsoft is making similar investments in their elite partner engineering sales force?
- Ed

Ed Horley is a Microsoft MVP still

Well, I am happy to report that I still have my Microsoft MVP status. Many thanks to my MVP Lead Jake Grey and all the other wonderful Microsoft MVP staff who make the whole program possible. I deeply appreciate the award and recognition that Microsoft has shown to me.
I am hoping to hear that some of my other colleagues might be getting some good news and that others will be returning too.
- Ed

Some other blogs to follow

There are a few other blogs that are worth follow out there, here are some new ones I am starting to watch:
Colin McNamara - good content on Cisco UCS, Virtualization, CCxE topics
Jennelle Crothers - some good stuff on Windows and general IT Pro issues, plus she is really cool.
colovirt - good info on network infrastructure and storage

- Ed

Cisco Live! (Networkers) in SF this week

Cisco annual conference is in San Francisco this week. I'll be darting over to attend a Partner event Tuesday evening. In the past I have attended Cisco Networkers but my schedule hasn't allowed me much time to attend.
I might try to make it in to see the expo floor later this week.
On a related note, Cisco announced their newest certification at Live! - Cisco Certified Architect - requires a review board and is above CCIE/CCDE level. Yet another level of BS for the industry IMHO. I am wonder why anyone will bother going to college anymore to earn an Engineering degree at all! LOL
Anyway, check out the announcement here.
- Ed

My MVP Video interview at TechEd 2009

I attended Microsoft TechEd for the first time ever this year. It was down in Los Angeles and while there I was interviewed by the Microsoft MVP Team. Here is the video. They also have video interviews with Daniel Nerenberg, a bunch of the video's will be released shortly and the list of them can be found here.
Many thanks to Emily Freet and to my MVP Lead Jake Grey for having me stick around to do that.
- Ed