MVPs Speak Out During MVP Global Summit!

Five MVPs contributed to an interview with Amy Eisenberg, from Windows IT Pro magazine during the recent 2009 MVP Global Summit (Note, the MVPs are all regular contributors to the magazine).

Group Policy MVP Darren Mar-Elia, Cluster MVP John Savill, SharePoint MVP Dan Holme, Exchange Server MVP Paul Robichaux, and Directory Services MVP Ethan Wilansky to see what being a Microsoft MVP means to them.

You can read the highlights of the interview below. The complete interview can be found here.

What does the MVP status mean to you? How has it affected your career?

MVP John Savill: Being an MVP has enabled me to get inside access to the Microsoft teams that create the features I use day-to-day and write about. The MVP program has given me access to resources to learn the technologies to the depth I need to help others understand them.

MVP Dan Holme: The opportunity to connect with other talented professionals and to interact directly with the product groups at Microsoft and actually have the chance to make a difference has been important to my career.

MVP Ethan Wilansky: The MVP award has become a recognized sign of technical achievement on the Microsoft platform. This has certainly been good for career distinction. In addition, access to the Microsoft product groups has been invaluable for getting an early look at Microsoft software and playing a role in product direction.

What advice would you have for someone who wants to become an MVP?

MVP Ethan Wilansky: If you’re passionate about Microsoft technology and can share your knowledge through writing (articles/blogging/newsgroups) or presenting at conferences, you are on your way. Stay focused, go deep, and avoid becoming a generalist. Writing for Windows IT Pro has been a great mechanism for sharing knowledge, and it has certainly played an important role in maintaining my MVP status.

MVP John Savill: The MVP is an award based on your commitment to the community and sharing information. Get out there and blog, help people on forums, and write some articles.

MVP Darren Mar-Elia: Don’t try. I didn’t know what the MVP program was until I got this strange email notifying me of my award. The point is to help other people. Maybe you’ll get an MVP and maybe you won’t. But if your goal is to get an MVP award, I think it’s the wrong goal.

MVP Dan Holme: I can't overstate the value of the network of MVPs themselves. SharePoint MVPs are very active, intelligent, and supportive. We're in constant touch with each other, and together we're definitely more valuable to the community and to our customers than we would ever be, alone. It's a brilliant and fun group that I'm honored to be a part of, every day!

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