For the third year, I’ve been awarded the Microsoft MVP award. As far as I know, one gets the MVP award by helping the community navigate the Microsoft suite of products. I do plenty of that. In fact, you guys are lucky I’m out here.
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I’ll confess that I had my eye on the MVP award for a long time. When I finally received the award in 2007, it seemed rather anti-climactic. The old MVP guys tell me the benefits were better in the olden days. They tell stories of gold watches, deep interaction with the development teams at Microsoft, and a real band-of-brothers kind of feel.
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So far, I haven’t seen a gold watch. But I did get a shirt and some computer speakers with the Microsoft logo on it. The shirt has become my Wal-Mart shirt. I wear it with my elastic buffet pants (well…they used to be elastic).
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I’ve never sat down with the development team. But I did get to see a Microsoft intern tap-dance during a presentation on the new Ribbon.
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As for the band-of-brothers thing? Well, if I wanted to work with clowns, I would have joined a circus.
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Here are the MVP benefits as I see them:
1. I get to write blog posts about being awarded the MVP.
2. I get to explain to everyone what a Microsoft MVP actually is.
3. I get to be invited to every arcane webinar that isn’t related to my expertise.
4. I get to explain to people that I don’t actually work for Microsoft.
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So if the glamour has gone out of the MVP program, why do all the current MVPs still offer free help and support to nerds all over the world? I can only speak for myself. For all the tongue and cheek stuff, I truly like the fact that I can help someone become the guru in their office. I like the fact that I can help someone make work easier by doing things more efficiently. I like teach people new things.
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So send a thank you note to an MVP today . Not just me (although I do ooze with awesomeness). Put a thank you comment on every blog you visit today. The experts who live this stuff all genuinely want to help people. They sure aren’t doing it for the MVP benefits.
Well thank you Mr. Pig. I really do appreciate all you MVPs out there. I wouldn’t know much about Excel, Word, or VBA if it weren’t for your collective efforts.
Mike, as an alumni of one your live courses, I have been pleased that you extended your expertise into the blog world. I continue to learn from you and the other MVPs who actively share ther knowledge. Thanks.
I just discovered your blog yesterday, but I feel like I’ve known you for years! Your comedic apprach is just what the doctor ordered. I am in a situation at work where I am expected to be the “Guru,” but they won’t even buy me a book on Access. It is only through the selfless efforts of people like you that I am able to figure this stuff out. So, thank you. Hopefully I will be able to pay it forward sometime down the road.
Thanks so much and Congrats! I am a long time fan and love your blog. You have taught me and have empowered me so much and at times have helped me risen to become the office hero.
I too want to thank you Mr. Pig. I can’t tell you how many times your video tutorials have helped me enhance the access applications I have developed.
I’m a member of the Microsoft Access development team and I read your blog regularly. Congrats on achieving MVP status, and keep up the good work.
@Christina ‘I just discovered your blog yesterday, but I feel like I’ve known you for years! ‘ – Mike has that effect on people, it’s just the way he is.
Well, I WAS going to thank an MVP, but then the whole “ooze” thing kind of set me back. Maybe I need some deep fried bacon and pickles.
Thanks, Mike. You’ve been my guru and ‘MVP’ for a long time running! Keep up the noble work.
Mike -
You neglected to mention that your MVP is a Most Valuable Pig award. This may affect your Band of Brothers experience.
- Jon “Most Valuable Peltier”
Congrats Mike! Love your style of writing! You may just another talent besides besides spreadsheets and bacon!
Thanks, MVP!
What about some numbers to reveal how it is being a MVP?
How long to spend a day to answer questions?
How many posts a year?
etc….
But what happened to the elastic on your buffet pants…?
John: I’ve stretch it to submission.
Thank you! mr mvp. love your books and now this blog! any upcoming books?