In this episode of IAMCP Profiles in Partnership, hosts Anthony Carrano and Rudy Rodriguez sit down with Joseph Khalaf, President of ampiO Solutions, for a candid and insightful conversation about what it really takes to build lasting success in the Microsoft Partner ecosystem. Joe shares his journey from a quiet engineer at Microsoft to leading a high-impact solutions company that thrives on human connection, adaptability, and a deep commitment to its partners. Equal parts storyteller and strategist, he unpacks the real-world experiences that taught him how to scale not just a business—but a trusted brand.

• From Passive to Proactive: The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything
  Joe doesn’t sugarcoat it: early success with a major partner nearly blinded his company to a critical truth—relationships can’t be taken for granted. When that pipeline suddenly vanished, he realized the need to stop waiting for opportunities and start actively creating them through education, enablement, and real engagement. Now, with battle cards, co-branded materials, and consistent partner training, ampiO is never out of sight—or mind.
• Specialization Isn’t Optional—It’s the Model
  As technologies evolve and customers demand deeper expertise, Joe sees a clear trend: generalists can’t compete alone. Instead, successful companies are embracing partnerships as a way to fill capability gaps and win together. That means knowing when not to build in-house, and when to lean on a best-fit partner. “Nobody can do it all,” Joe says, “unless you’re Accenture.
• High EQ > High Ego
  What sets top partners apart isn’t just technical strength—it’s emotional intelligence. Joe emphasizes honesty, humility, and likability as core pillars of partner success. Being easy to work with, he says, is a superpower in an ecosystem where partners have options. Flexibility, not rigidity, is what wins trust and repeat business.
• The Business Case for Being Human
  For Joe, it all comes down to relationships. The most rewarding part of his journey hasn’t been the deals—it’s been the people. From local meetups to global partner forums, he’s built a reputation on being accessible, collaborative, and authentic. That culture flows through ampiO’s entire business model and is a big reason why their partners rarely walk away.

Whether you’re just beginning to build a partner program or leading a mature ecosystem strategy, this episode offers practical wisdom, powerful reminders, and a few good laughs from someone who’s walked the path—and still loves every step of it.

Listener Links / Resources

International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners: https://www.iamcp.org

Guest:

Joseph Khalaf

President, ampiO Solutions

Personal LinkedIn: LinkedIn

Company website: ampiO Solutions | Website

Company LinkedIn: LinkedIn

Show hosts:

Profiles in Partnership, brought to you by Dunamis Marketing

Anthony Carrano LinkedIn, Managing Partner at Dunamis Marketing

Rudy Rodriguez LinkedIn, Managing Partner at Dunamis Marketing