CAD Academy- Inaugural event

Introducing the Master CAD Certification (MCC) @ the CAD Academy, a comprehensive program developed by the visionary minds behind CADy Shack, the world's largest cloud Partner Alliance Community (PAC) for AWS. Boasting a global presence with over 500+ members across 12 countries and growing, CADy Shack is a thriving, free community, with MCC designed exclusively for its members. This certification is strategically crafted to standardize the knowledge base for Cloud Alliance Directors (CADs) actively engaged with AWS.

Updated annually, the MCC equips CADs from both ISV’s and SI’s at any level with fundamental insights into the AWS partner landscape, including nuanced understandings of AWS partner programs and the factors contributing to partner success. The curriculum, curated by Brett Fountain from Deepwatch, Michael Musselman from Lacework, Mo Zamzam at BJSS, and Barlas Yuce, Co-Founder of CADy Shack, ensures a comprehensive exploration of the essentials for navigating the AWS Partner Organization (APO).

This all day in person training starts at 9 am with understanding what is a Cloud Alliance Director (CAD) and is followed by a masters level course everything you need to know to be successful with AWS as a CAD. The tools given woill provide a base knowledge to build on to a career in alliances working with AWS, from the point of view of CADs that are doing it currently.

Scheduled quarterly, each session will take place in a different location. Live events, capped at twenty five attendees on a first-come, first-served basis, aim to align with AWS summits when possible. Locations include NYC, Austin, San Francisco, and culminating in Las Vegas at the year-end. Whenever feasible, events will be hosted in AWS buildings; otherwise, hotel conference rooms will be the venue of choice.

Upon completion of each training, participants will undergo a fifty-question multiple-choice test online. To attain the MCC from CAD Academy, a passing grade of at least 70% must be achieved within 48 hours. An accreditation number will be assigned, and individuals can showcase their achievement on the CADy Shack website, with a dedicated link for LinkedIn.

Pricing for each session and test is setbased on location , the base fee will be $2,999.00, but because of this being our innaugural event it will have an 80% drop in price. Certification is conferred upon successful completion of the test, with only two attempts permitted. Currently under consideration for AWS sandbox credits to offset a portion of spend.

Topics and schedule:

The course consists of six one-hour sessions:

8:30 AM -  9:00AM:  Breakfast

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Understanding the Role of a Cloud Alliance Director (CAD)

This initial session provides a comprehensive overview of the CAD role, exploring its organizational placement, proficiency levels, necessary support structures, and key attributes of an outstanding CAD.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Co-Sell Checklist

In the second part of the training, we will examine the AWS-published checklist for ISVs and SIs, guiding them towards the next level. Each step's importance will be explained, and any questions arising will be addressed.

[Link to the checklist: https://partnercentral.awspartner.com/partnercentral2/s/resources?Id=0698W00000jfmHbQAI]

11:00 AM to 11:15 AM: Break (15 minutes)

11:15 AM to 12:15 PM: Who's Who in the Zoo

This segment clarifies the distinctions among various partner assets in AWS. Attendees will understand the responsibilities associated with different requests and how to optimize relationships for optimal results.

12:15 PM to 1:00 PM: Lunch (45 minutes) - Provided by Awsome Partners

1:00 PM to 2:00 PM: The Three C’s

Participants will learn best practices for meaningful Co-Build, Co-Market, and Co-Sell collaborations with AWS. The module shares insights and tips gathered by CADy Shack experts over years of experience with AWS, ensuring that CADs are dedicated to both AWS and their company's success.

3:00 PM to 4:00 PM: ACE, ACE, and Marketplace

This module focuses on teaching best practices for inputting deals into ACE, emphasizing the importance of CRM integration, explaining the significance of AWS Marketplace, and providing guidance on its effective utilization.

4:00 PM to 4:15 PM: Break

4:15 PM to 5:15 PM: Hearts and Minds

The final course equips attendees with tools to establish a Cloud Center of Excellence within their company and outlines strategies for positioning an EBC to gain senior management buy-in. This challenging aspect for any CAD is reserved for the concluding session.

At 5:15 PM, a happy hour will take place at a local bar. Attendees will have 48 hours to complete a 50-question multiple-choice test on the CADy Shack website, requiring a 70% passing score (35 correct answers). Two attempts are allowed, and successful participants will receive a link to the class graduation list on the CADy Shack public page, which they can share on LinkedIn with a verification link.t.