In this engaging episode of IAMCP Profiles in Partnership, hosts Anthony Carrano and Rudy Rodriguez reconnect with Patricia Maia, Director at Arquiconsult and EMEA finalist for the P2P Solution Partner Awards. Patricia shares her expert perspective on forging successful international partnerships, particularly within the Microsoft Dynamics ecosystem. She highlights the critical role of trust and honesty, the impact of cultural differences on collaboration, and the transformative power of AI in business processes. Patricia’s stories illustrate real-world challenges and solutions for working across borders, building resilient partnerships, and balancing technical expertise with people skills. Her commitment to community involvement rounds out an episode packed with practical advice and inspiring lessons for business professionals and Microsoft partners.

Guest:

Personal LinkedIn: Patricia Maia | LinkedIn

Company Website: Arquiconsult | Website

Company LinkedIn: Arquiconsult | LinkedIn

Host:

Anthony Carrano LinkedIn, Managing Partner at Dunamis Marketing

Rudy Rodriguez LinkedIn, Managing Partner at Dunamis Marketing

Podcast Website: IAMCP Podcast

Key Discussion Points:

• Strategies for building and sustaining international partnerships in the Microsoft ecosystem

• How trust, patience, and honesty drive successful collaborations

• Leveraging AI to enhance business efficiency and decision-making

• Adaptability and resilience in the face of cultural differences and challenges

• Client success stories across France, Lithuania, Germany, and beyond

• Balancing technical capabilities with interpersonal skills in partner relationships

• Frameworks for evaluating potential partners and defining partnership goals

• Community engagement and the importance of social responsibility

Notable Quotes:

• "We are in the business of people." – Patricia Maia

• "Trust is built based on honesty." – Patricia Maia

• "Partnership is a win-win situation." – Patricia Maia

• "Sometimes it starts with small things and in a year or two, we become… or a challenge comes or a new customer comes that we suddenly have that big opportunity." – Patricia Maia

• "AI is here already. It accelerates our work and brings new opportunities, but you still have to think for yourself." – Patricia Maia

• "One of the things we learn is that sometimes the countries that are smaller, like Portugal, really have to adapt to others to grow." – Patricia Maia

• "Do not point fingers, do not start blaming each other. See how you can help each other to best serve the customer." – Patricia Maia

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Patricia Maia and the episode’s focus on partnership strategies

02:10 Partnerships and client success stories – centralizing international support

07:24 Navigating challenges in partnerships: trust, transparency, and resilience

10:29 The impact of AI on business processes and partner collaboration

13:15 Cultural insights from working across France, Lithuania, Denmark, and Spain

22:01 Balancing technical expertise and people skills in partnerships

29:15 Principles for successful partnerships: honesty, patience, and long-term vision

30:23 Patricia’s involvement in community initiatives and social responsibility