90p Admin

Peter had a phone conversation with Paige Erickson about Sage becoming affiliate members. As part of that he asked that I come up with some description of what Sage would get for their fee as well as some possible additional sponsor opportunities. I'm cautious about getting too involved in designing options for Sage unless we know what they value (if anything). Here is what I sent to Peter and I suspect that he will forward/share with Paige: Peter, Here are the present options for affiliate members: 1. Annual first year dues $4,000, renewals $2,000 What this allows: Affiliates are able to attend 90 Minds events by purchasing tickets, or in some cases sponsorships. We don't open the registration to non-members so affiliate membership is part of the price of participation (as it is with consultant members). As an affiliate, members may have opportunities to purchase banner advertisements, blog posts, or other various sponsorships throughout the year. Again, we don't offer these opportunities to non-affiliates. 2. Specifically for Sage We have been approached informally by Sage at various times with questions about whether we would collaborate more closely with regards to feedback on new releases (prior to and after release) as well as feedback on how Sage third-party and integrated services are received in the market. 90 Minds have 170+ members collaborating 24 x 7 online. Within the past 30 days, we've had 323 new messages and 1,550 comments. Topics cover a range of subjects including publishers, feedback on third party integrations, and technical questions and answers. Within this framework we could consider offering an additional paid sponsorship for Sage that might include: a. Allow Sage 100 technical staff access to technical discussion area b. Participate in private technical feedback sessions on new releases c. Provided feedback on upgrade progress - the speed of uptake as well as perceived reasons (if any) that customers are delaying d. Real-time feedback on almost any offering - payroll, credit cards, etc e. Sponsor or present technical sessions during Summit Each of these specific opportunities would be priced extra, above normal membership, and based upon the value we mutually agree would be delivered. We'd also need approval from the Board prior to implementing. For planning purposes, I'd expect extra sponsorship opportunities specific to Sage would start at $20,000/year since they'd represent a significant amount of administration and planning on our part. Let me know if you have any other thoughts

Thanks. I doubt if Sage will make the investment but if they think about it, do we really want to give them access to technical discussion area (a). Affiliates don't have access now, just the open discussion area. The others are great opportunities for Sage to step up their game, but our challenge is differentiating 90M from Sage City where Sage gets all feedback for free.

To Jeff's point, I think we can price it pretty substantially so they don't want it or not offer it. I don't think we want them in the technical areas currently but am open to discussion. Overall, I like the options presented.

I'm open to any and all suggestions as to how to add value to a membership. The above are my thoughts. If you have additional ones please list them and I will pass them on. I assure you Sage will not pay a dime for anything unless we can show value, and just rounding us all up on conference calls is something they're doing already. List away below

I wish I did have some ideas. I do not. I don't think ANYONE at Sage has the kahunas to step up and make a decision here, with the possible exception of Kelley. We are not offering them anything that they don't have in some form, shape or function. Technical feedback - Sage City, partner feedback - BPAC. One on one with partners - Summit. What intrigues them about the Canadian Sage 300 meeting that they are sponsoring it? Do the Canadians have pictures?? While your ideas above are great and we should keep pushing them, gut feeling is the best we will get is for them to put do an hour presentation and we get a couple grand for their ""generosity"".

Getting to a point where Sage is anywhere but the podium is probably a bare knuckle group fight so perhaps just consider whether you would want to sell a modified sponsorship to Sage where they have more than one speaking slot. We have some potential conflict with existing BI affiliates, however technically SI is a component of Sage 100 by virtue of the free license. As always, a decision sooner rather than later is suggested since we have these companies actively asking us about sponsorship and we must come up with some reply to their inquiries.