From Inspire 2017: RapidStart CRM's Steve Mordue on Microsoft's sales shakeup, and how forward-thinking partners must evolve

Editor's Note: This article is based on a transcription of a recent MSDW Podcast episode.

Inspire 2017 was a week of "shock and awe," says Steve Mordue of RapidStart CRM, who spoke to us on the final day of Microsoft's conference.

It was a good week. Mordue believes that the One Commercial Partner model allows Microsoft CVP Ron Huddleston to pull the trigger on his sales vision. And it will be a boon for Dynamics partners - if they are willing to evolve. Microsoft's vision has no place for the "general purpose" partner who just wants to implement. Aggressive partners will be all over AppSource, and make themselves known on the Partner Center.

Customers are evolving as well, and are no longer willing to let the head of IT make ERP and CRM purchase decisions. Decision makers are looking for rich capabilities, in apps versus suites, and want to find them on AppSource.

The following is a synopsis of an interview with Mordue at the event.

MSDynamicsWorld: When we sat down I think the first thing you said was "shocking." I mean there's been a lot of change this week.

Steve Mordue: Shock and awe is probably the best way to describe it, when you look at what has gone on here - the major people that have moved out of the organization.

I've heard Ron Huddleston speak several times at other venues and ...