Microsoft Commerce Incentive Workshops: Turning Funded Engagements into Long-Term Partner Growth

Microsoft Commerce Incentive (MCI) workshops are one of the most effective programs Microsoft offers to help partners engage customers, drive adoption, and uncover new opportunities. These workshops are designed and funded by Microsoft to accelerate customer outcomes across Azure, Security, Copilot, and other strategic solution areas.

On the surface, MCI workshops appear to be straightforward technical sessions. In reality, their value extends far beyond the workshop itself to generate countless new revenue generating delivery projects.

What MCI Workshops Are Really Designed to Do

MCI workshops are not sales presentations. They are structured engagements created by Microsoft to help customers understand Microsoft capabilities, assess their current environment, and identify meaningful next steps. Microsoft funds these workshops to remove friction and encourage deeper technical conversations.

The real value of an MCI workshop is access.

Being invited into a customer environment allows partners to learn how the organization actually operates. Architecture decisions, security gaps, operational challenges, and future initiatives surface naturally during these discussions. This insight is what turns a Microsoft funded workshop into a long-term customer relationship.

Delivering MCI Workshops Takes More Than Slides

Not all partners have the capability or capacity to deliver MCI workshops consistently. Some partners do not hold the required Microsoft designations. Others have the designation but lack experienced consultants available to deliver workshops at scale.

The Partner Masters is frequently engaged to solve both challenges.

The Partner Masters is MCI qualified to deliver most Microsoft sponsored workshops and regularly subcontracts with partners to deliver them without concern of partner competition. Our senior consultants also teach partners how to properly deliver these workshops so they can build long-term capability within their own practice.

A Partner-First MCI Delivery Model

The Partner Masters does not go direct to market and does not compete with Microsoft partners. We operate as a trusted extension of partner delivery teams.

Our consultants assist with pre-sales, workshop delivery, documentation, and findings presentations. We run structured project kickoffs, provide clear communication throughout the engagement, and deliver well written outputs that partners can use to drive follow-on work. This disciplined approach helps partners maintain margin and convert workshop outcomes into new projects.

Popular MCI workshop topics include Security, Azure, Copilot, and Data Protection, each designed to open broader conversations around modernization, risk reduction, and cloud adoption.

From Funded Workshop to Expanded Opportunity

Partners who treat MCI workshops as one-time activities often leave value on the table. When delivered correctly, these workshops frequently lead to security assessments, architecture engagements, migrations, and ongoing services.

The Partner Masters helps partners maximize this outcome by ensuring workshops are delivered by experienced consultants who know how to listen, ask the right questions, and connect workshop findings to real customer needs. This positions partners as trusted advisors rather than presenters.

Next Steps

If you are a Microsoft partner looking to better leverage Microsoft Commerce Incentive workshops, or need experienced consultants to help deliver Azure, Security, Copilot, or other Microsoft funded engagements, we would welcome the conversation.

We would be happy to discuss our MCI delivery experience and learn more about how you are looking to use these programs to grow your practice.