Ascending into 2020: Starting the Year Off Right at Workfront's Annual Kick-Off in SLC

Normally my new year doesn’t officially start until I attend the Workfront Annual Kick-Off meeting in Las Vegas in early January, but this year was a little different. This year Workfront decided to bring us all home to Utah to gather and gain momentum for working together in 2020. The event itself covered a lot of ground and included a Partner Kick-off, Workfront's Company Kick-off, the Sales Kick-off, and the CX Summit. As a Workfront Partner, it felt very special to be invited to SLC to spend a few days together learning, sharing and inspiring each other to do our best work and to Work Boldly, which is the new focus and mantra of Workfront.

We may not have been in Vegas, but that did not keep us from enjoying every minute of our time together. Actually, the fun kicked off early with a Workfront Partner event at the Park City Mountain Resort. My colleague, Jason Porath, hit the slopes with the Workfront Partner Leadership team and other partner ski-lovers. I arrived into town just as Jason was heading back from the Partner Networking After Ski event. He had a look of pure happiness, excitement, and exhaustion on his face. I knew it was going to be a great kickoff. My prediction could not have been more accurate!

I truly believe it was more than just convenience that had Workfront invite nearly 60 of its partners to an SKO near its HQ in Lehi, Utah. In fact, the partners were made to feel more at home than ever at this event. On Partner Day, it quickly became apparent that the partner network is a crucial and celebrated part of the Workfront ecosystem. This was confirmed when Alex Shootman shared his CEO’s perspective and when Paige Erickson, SVP Business Development, recognized and called out outstanding partners. After hearing the leaders of Capability Source, Capgemini, Zee Jay Digital, LeapPoint, Rego Constulting and Accenture Interactive share their best practices and Workfront trends, it was no surprise at all why these companies are so important to Workfront. My colleagues, Luke Alexander (Sales Director, IOI UK) and James Word (Director of Integrated Services), were in good company as they presented best practices, case studies and an agile approach to Workfront integration engagements. Way to Work Boldy, IOI!

It was so fitting that after Partner Day came to a close, we gathered in the Grand Ballroom of the Salt Palace Convention Center to welcome the Global Workfront Sales Team to SKO. We may have been divided in our support for LSU and Clemson, but we were all on the same team when it came to our goals for 2020. IO Integration had global representation at the Welcome Reception, and it was wonderful to catch up with old friends and new at this event.

The partners were also invited to attend 2 days of SKO with the entire Workfront team. During these general sessions, Workfront leadership shared their vision and plans for “Doing it Right” in 2020. This vision depends on partners like IO Integration to contribute our knowledge and expertise to help differentiate Workfront as the Operation System of Record (OSR) for large companies. Workfront is not a task-based project management solution. Workfront is changing the way people work. During these sessions Workfront invited customers from Covance and T-Mobile to tell their Workfront and work management success stories. These companies are definitely “Doing it Right” and are ready to Work Boldly in 2020.

I could not have had a better start to this year.  I laughed, networked, learned, and was inspired in SLC at the Workfront SKO. 2020 is definitely the year that the Workfront Partner Network will be recognized for getting Workfront, Workfront customers, and the OSR to where we want them to be. If the market is 2 years ahead of schedule and workers are ready for the OSR, the Workfront SKO theme of “Ascend” is totally appropriate. Let’s get to the top of this work mountain together and Work Boldly in 2020!