13-15 May 2026 - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Directions ASIA 2026
Directions ASIA 2026 is the conference for Business Central partners with focus on learning, growth, and meaningful connections. This time, we’re heading to vibrant Ho Chi Minh City - a dynamic hub of culture, energy, and innovation.
Get the latest updates from Microsoft and the broader Dynamics ecosystem. Connect with the full community: resellers, add-on providers, Microsoft, Distributors, MVPs, developers, consultants, business leaders and sales & marketing professionals. Spark new ideas, fuel your inspiration, and drive your success. Be where Business Central innovation happens.
Normal ticket - 649 USD
Group discount 10% for 5+ tickets, 20% for 10+ tickets
Is AI the New Ozempic? Why Tools Don't Replace Thinking
When AI tools started flooding the market, I was genuinely unsure what to do with them. There was pressure to “have an AI story†for clients, even though I didn't yet feel clear about it myself. Can't say we didn't start with the customers - and I'll share those stories in my session, too! But first, I had to start it with me — using AI daily in business strategies, marketing, sales, and pre-sales, testing what works, what doesn't, and where I was fooling myself. Little by little, the fog cleared, not because of the tools, but because of how I learned to think with them (and still learning!).
In this session, you will learn:
â˜' How to move from AI hype to practical clarity through hands-on experimentation
â˜' Why personal AI adoption must come before client-facing AI conversations
â˜' Practical ways AI can support marketing, sales, and pre-sales without replacing judgment
â˜' How to use AI to sharpen messaging, discovery, and proposals — not automate thinking
â˜' How to confidently lead AI discussions when clients expect “magic solutions.â€
AI is not a shortcut or a magic pill. And truly, I still haven't figured out the best working scenarios in business; it's a way to go. Maybe there's no "best"; there's a road forward. But I strongly believe that, just like before, the client's problem comes first — the tools only amplify how well (or poorly) we understand it. This session offers a grounded, experience-based perspective that partners can apply immediately.
Speakers:
Ugne Kontare
Head of Operations at SOFT4
Ugne Kontare is the Head of Operations for one of Europe's most successful ISVs, SOFT4. Having developed multiple solutions under the SOFT4 brand, several of which have successfully gained market share and partners' recognition, while several were killed after years of development, Ugne is ready to share the lessons learned along the way on how to build and manage products that sell.
With a background in SMB sales and leadership, Ugne's career expands over several industries, with most of its time dedicated to Microsoft Dynamics. With over 20 years of experience in various roles, such as Marketing, Sales, CEO, and Business Development, Ugne shares her knowledge and tips on how to:
â-¸Efficiently adopt AI tools in your business strategy;
â-¸Avoid burnout while leading with empathy and passion;
â-¸Build and manage an effective team;
â-¸Develop and implement strategies for launching and managing a software product - from analysis to profits.