by Janelle Montgomery | Sr. Consultant & Account Director at Lions & Tigers 

“We’re building a plane while we’re flying it.”

Oof. If I had a dime each time I heard or said this while working on various client projects, I’d be rich. Like, really rich. This is our tried and true metaphor and I think it paints an accurate picture.

The work we do requires defining and redefining our objectives, processes, and outcomes, often when the project or initiative has already been activated. And here is the beauty of consultant life: I can pull from all my past experiences and my own continually refined expertise to meet and exceed client needs, no matter the challenge. At the beginning of this year, my colleagues and I had an opportunity to board and build a new plane already in flight. But this time, we were able to take that journey with fellow supplier, AppMeetup.

The objective of the Microsoft Black Partner Growth Initiative accelerator program was to enable Black partners within the Microsoft ecosystem through trainings, coaching and group sessions, supporting the development of the skills and expertise these business leaders required to unlock new opportunities. Lions & Tigers brought a strong group of project and program managers and communications strategists to the table but needed business enablement experts to round out the team.

AppMeetup, who specializes in business coaching services for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), and System Integrators (SIs), were precisely the experience the project needed.

Collaborating with another team of experts bolstered our ability to collectively drive impact within the broader Microsoft ecosystem. Over a few months, we developed program curriculum, drafted targeted email communications, and coordinated internal resources to deliver a successful experience for more than 50 partners. Several partners shared this accelerator program was game-changing for their business and they appreciated the safe-space to build community, network, and cultivate fruitful relationships with other partners.

Beyond the partner opportunities that were unlocked with this first group, the program we developed offers rich benefits to our client, as well. These partners became more engaged; our client gained a better understanding of the voice and needs of the group, where they each were in their journey, and how to further enable continued success. Plus, the value and learnings gained extend beyond the immediate; we continue to leverage insights from this inaugural program to influence the approach for the upcoming and future cohorts.

This partnership with AppMeetup allowed our teams to lean into our superpowers to create something that didn’t exist before. The experience proved to be rewarding, not only for participating partners, but our organizations, as well: we were nominated for the 2022 Microsoft Supplier Prestige Award for Supplier-to-Supplier Collaboration. And let me be clear, we don’t do this for awards and accolades. We truly care about the projects and initiatives we drive and support. But after several months of building an in-flight plane, the nomination sure felt good!

AppMeetup was the missing puzzle piece that pushed this effort forward. Their commitment to ensure this partner community has space to build, dream, and grow, took this plane further than we imagined. Our core values at Lions & Tigers are centered around community, impact, stewardship and courage and I am grateful to have taken this journey with a company that exemplifies the same. And next time we need a co-pilot (plus co-engineer and co-manufacturer of course!), I know who to trust with the other flight suit.

Interested in joining Lions & Tigers?  Check out our open roles here. 

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