Microsoft AI Tour in Johannesburg, 23 January 2025
Elevate your AI skills at the Microsoft AI Tour in Johannesburg! On January 23, 2025, we’re bringing together business leaders, developers, and AI professionals for a day packed with insights, hands-on workshops, and networking with Microsoft experts. Discover the latest AI advancements, gain new skills, and learn how responsible AI can transform your industry. Don’t miss this chance to connect with visionaries and enhance your AI expertise. Secure your spot today! 🔗 Register now: Microsoft AI Tour #MicrosoftAITour #ArtificialIntelligence #TechEvent #JohannesburgBreaking Barriers: Addressing Unconscious Bias in the Tech Industry
Unconscious bias affects everyone, including tech professionals who believe they are objective and data-driven. In this blog post, we delve into the experiences of South African Business Applications MVP https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-US/MVP/profile/5b21a01b-949f-4152-b723-01e825632610, who has worked diligently to recognize and mitigate her own biases. Carike will share practical strategies for the tech community to identify unconscious bias, fostering better team dynamics and enhancing creativity. While everyone experiences unconscious bias, how can you become more aware of your own unconscious biases and work to counteract them? In my experience, becoming aware of unconscious bias starts with actively seeking out programs and resources that can help raise awareness. At my workplace, there is a dedicated program for addressing unconscious bias. Without this program, I might never have fully recognized my own biases. The program includes a Women’s Forum which began about 6 years ago. Women from this group participated in a course created by the https://www.linkedin.com/company/chapter-network/ and upon completion we facilitated an Unconscious Bias session. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and from there, the training was rolled out across the whole business. The Unconscious Bias training is led by women in the forum and is a 90-minute session. The training creates a space where employees can openly voice biases they’ve experienced or those they’ve recognized in themselves or others. During these sessions, we emphasize that there is no right or wrong, but the key takeaway is that awareness is crucial to making a difference. The positive response led to the training being rolled out company-wide. Remaining open-minded and encouraging others to approach you with any concerns about bias is essential. This practice helps cultivate a learning environment where everyone can grow together. By inviting feedback, we ensure biases are addressed, fostering mutual respect, accountability, and a culture where everyone's voice is heard and valued. In your experience, how does unconscious bias manifest in everyday interactions among tech professionals? Unconscious bias often appears in everyday interactions within the tech industry, especially through stereotypes about what a woman in tech “should” look like. These biases show up in assumptions about our wardrobe, whether we’re gamers, or the constant need to prove and validate our skills, despite our progress. Unconscious biases towards women in tech manifest in various ways, such as assumptions that women are less technical or always need validation. For example, some may think women lack expertise in certain roles because they are perceived as soft, social, or friendly, or assume they are in the industry just to "fill a quota." These biases can result in women being overlooked for leadership positions, denied career advancement, or having their ideas dismissed in meetings. Over time, these challenges can erode confidence and hinder career growth. Additionally, it limits innovation and reduces the diversity of thought crucial to the success of teams and organizations in the tech sector. Many tech professionals believe they are objective and data driven. How can unconscious bias still affect their work despite this belief? Many tech professionals believe they are objective and data-driven, making unconscious bias harder to detect. However, even in data-driven fields, personal perspectives influence decisions, whether consciously or not. Therefore, it's crucial to continuously challenge assumptions and remain open to feedback. Unconscious biases can subtly affect decisions in data-driven environments. For instance, when interpreting data, individuals may unintentionally prioritize information that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs rather than examining it objectively. In hiring, unconscious bias might lead a manager to favor candidates who resemble themselves or fit a certain mold, even if data suggests other candidates are better suited for the role. Algorithmic biases are another example—tech professionals may not realize that the models they design or the datasets they use reflect their own biases, resulting in skewed outcomes. Moreover, relying on data to justify decisions can be problematic. Tech professionals might overlook the broader context or social implications, thereby ignoring how biases in data collection or model assumptions could perpetuate inequality or exclusion. How can tech leaders and managers actively mitigate unconscious bias within their teams? Tech leaders and managers can mitigate unconscious bias by fostering an inclusive environment, providing ongoing training, and encouraging open conversations. Creating an inclusive environment starts with intentional actions that demonstrate a commitment to fairness, respect, and diversity. Practical ways to foster inclusion include: Promoting Diverse Representation: Actively recruit from diverse talent pools and ensure diverse voices are heard in meetings. Mentorship programs pairing underrepresented groups with senior leaders can help break down barriers and build trust. Implementing Bias-Reducing Strategies in Hiring: Use blind hiring processes where personal information for example gender, race, or age is removed from resumes or applications to focus on skills and qualifications. Encouraging Open Dialogue: Facilitate regular discussions around unconscious bias and its impact, allowing team members to safely share experiences and learn from one another. This can be done through lunch-and-learns or town hall meetings that address diversity and inclusion. Training and Resources: Offer continuous training on recognizing and addressing bias, and creating accessible resources (e.g., reading materials, workshops, or bias assessment tools) for employees to explore at their own pace. Celebrating Diversity: Actively recognize the contributions of diverse team members and celebrate various cultural holidays and events that reflect the team’s diversity. This raises awareness and fosters an environment where people feel seen and valued for who they are. By implementing these strategies, leaders can create an environment where merit and contributions are recognized, and biases are less likely to influence decisions. In conclusion, by actively practicing these skills, we can begin to create a safe space for open dialogue and awareness. Encouraging feedback and promoting diverse representation are crucial steps tech leaders can take to mitigate unconscious bias and foster a culture of respect and inclusion. Acknowledging and confronting our biases allows us to enhance team collaboration, boost innovation, and foster a deeper sense of community within the tech industry.
AI Transformation Partner Playbook
The AI Transformation Partner Playbook is designed to empower you to build and grow your AI transformation practice. The “Overview” section introduces the Microsoft AI strategic pillars. “Innovate Together” guides you through AI skilling through blueprints to monetize your IP and monetize your services. Use the “Market Together” section to learn more about demand generation materials, Marketplace, and Azure OpenAI Service case studies to drive your customers’ imaginations. Finally, leverage the “Sell Together” section to move the needle on customer opportunities with the latest sales assets, information on Azure Innovate, and sales guidance to help you capitalize on the excitement around generative AI. No matter where you are in your AI transformation journey, the AI Transformation Partner Playbook will empower you to accelerate innovation and grow your AI practice. aka.ms/aipartnerplaybook
Discover the Future of Productivity - Free Copilot Webinars
Please share with customers and your colleagues. Dear Valued Customer, We are thrilled to extend a free invitation to all customers on the African continent. Whether your company has already invested in Microsoft 365 Copilot, are in the enquiring stage or simply looking to learn more about Microsoft 365 Copilot, our upcoming webinars are designed for you. Join us in these 2 hour insightful sessions to explore how Microsoft 365 Copilot can significantly boost productivity and unlock numerous other benefits for your organization. Our webinars will cover: Topic Description Dates Register Future of Work with AI Get more done and unleash your creativity with Microsoft Copilot. In this webinar, you'll explore how to use Microsoft Copilot to help you research, find information, and generate effective content, all while understanding its role in the future of work with AI. 20 March 2025 14 April 2025 9 May 2025 20 June 2025 Register Here Persona-based Use Cases In this webinar, we will explore persona-based use cases for various business-related scenarios to help you understand the power of AI, specifically Copilot. By delving into these use cases, we will demonstrate how Copilot can enhance decision-making processes. Understanding these applications is crucial for businesses looking to stay competitive in the digital age. 24 & 25 March 2025 15 & 16 April 2025 12 & 13 May 2025 23 & 24 June 2025 Register Here Copilot: The art of effective prompting Discover ways to craft effective and contextual prompts for Microsoft 365 Copilot that create, simplify, transform, and compile content across Microsoft 365 applications. Learn the importance of providing a clear goal, context, source, and expectation in your prompt for the best results. 26 March 2025 17 April 2025 14 May 2025 25 June 2025 Register Here Microsoft 365 Copilot (Product focus session) Join us for a comprehensive webinar on Microsoft Copilot, the AI-powered assistant that enhances productivity within Microsoft 365 applications. Learn how Copilot can automate tasks, provide smart suggestions, and help you make the most of your everyday tools. 27 March 2025 24 April 2025 15 May 2025 26 June 2025 Register Here Design a dream destination with AI In this webinar, you learn about the capabilities of generative AI using Microsoft Copilot. Bring your personal creativity and passion to dream up a novel destination and create the content to help tell its story. 28 March 2025 25 April 2025 16 May 2025 27 June 2025 Register Here Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and take your productivity to the next level with Microsoft 365 Copilot. We look forward to your participation and are excited to help you harness the full potential of Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Introducing Partner AI Digest: Showcase Your AI Solutions to Microsoft Employees!
Dear Partners I am writing to introduce a new initiative called "Partner AI Digest". Partner AI Digest aims to provide you with an opportunity to showcase the innovative AI solutions you have built to Microsoft employees. We understand that time is precious, each Partner AI Digest session will be limited to just 15 minutes. During this time, you will have the opportunity to present your AI solution and its unique features, highlight its benefits, and demonstrate its capabilities to the Microsoft community. To streamline the scheduling process, we have created a link where you can book your Partner AI Digest slots for the upcoming months. Please find the link below: Book Time Please note that once you have booked a slot, it is essential to provide a minimum of two weeks' notice if you are unable to make the Partner AI Digest session. This will enable us to allocate the time to another partner who may be interested in participating. To help you make the maximum impact during your 15-minute slot, we suggest the following strategies: · Clearly define your objective: Identify the key message you want to convey during your presentation. Focus on the most significant aspects of your AI solution that will resonate with the Microsoft audience. · Keep it concise and engaging: As time is limited, ensure your presentation is concise, structured, and engaging. Capture the attention of the audience from the beginning and maintain their interest throughout the session. · Highlight the value proposition: Clearly articulate the unique value proposition of your AI solution. Explain how it addresses a specific problem or pain point and the benefits it offers to Microsoft employees. · Showcase real-world examples: Whenever possible, provide real-world examples or case studies that demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of your AI solution. This will help the audience visualize its potential applications. · Demonstrate the solution in action: Utilize a live demonstration or pre-recorded video to showcase your AI solution's capabilities. This will provide a tangible experience for the audience and enhance their understanding. · Encourage interaction and questions: Allocate time for questions and engage in a discussion with the Microsoft employees. This will help foster collaboration, gather feedback, and address any concerns or queries they may have. We believe that the Partner AI Digest sessions will serve as an excellent platform for you to showcase your AI solutions to a wider audience within Microsoft. We encourage you to make the most of this opportunity and utilize the limited time efficiently to leave a lasting impression. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to GPS. We look forward to your active participation in the Partner AI Digest sessions. Thank you for your continued partnership with Microsoft. When you join this event, your name, email address and/or phone number may be viewable by other session participants in the attendee list. By joining, you’re agreeing to this experience. If you prefer, I not forward you these types of communications, just let me know. To learn how to manage your contact preferences for other parts of Microsoft, please read our Privacy StatementHow to activate your Signature Cloud support
Good morning, partners, As we moved from the Gold and Silver MPN program to the new Solution Partner Designation program, you may not have activated your Signature Cloud support option and are not leveraging this benefit. Microsoft technical support is offered to all customers and partners, but customers receive dedicated support once they leverage their Unified Support options. Similarly, partners with Solution Partner Designation or Advanced Support for Partner have access to Signature Cloud support - but need to activate this service and ensure you log tickets using this enhanced service using the "Service Hub". Kindly review Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Benefits - Technical Support for on-premises or Cloud products - Partner Center | Microsoft Learn for detail to activate the service, and the process on logging tickets with the correct entitlement on the "Service Hub" portal. MPN Administrators - kindly ensure that your support teams have access to your "Access ID" and "Contract ID". Kind regards, James AvenantNew Partner Center documentation - Insights
Good morning, partners, An updated report description for Partner Center Insights is now available at Partner insights reports and data definitions - Partner Center | Microsoft Learn. The Insights module provides access to performance data to manage your Microsoft partner business. Customer lifecycle data underpins your MCPP and incentives - review the "PartnerAssociationType" field from these reports. Courses and Certifications can be monitored via the MS Learn and related reports. Note the data refresh cycles Insights data refresh frequency - Partner Center | Microsoft Learn and review the full "Insights" chapter for more detail. Partners with multiple PGA accounts should review their separate entities, or consider merging into a single PGA. Two levels of partner accounts - Partner Center | Microsoft Learn Warm regards, James AvenantWelcome to the new South Africa Partner Community page!
Good morning, partners, Going forward, bookmark this page as the new home for South Africa partner news. The data on the old community, South Africa Partner Zone - Microsoft Partner Community and previous Yammer (233) Yammer : Microsoft ZA Partner Hub : Home will still be available for a while but are no longer maintained. Warm regards, James Avenant, GPS South Africa
