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Yes, I’m Still a Microsoft MVP, and That Says a Lot About Microsoft

8 years ago
blogging, microsoft, mvp
24 Comments

Every year that I’ve been renewed as an MVP, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. For years – long before I became an MVP – I always wanted to be a journalist for the community. Journalism is printing what someone else does  not want printed: everything else is public relations. That means I end up posting things that Microsoft wasn’t happy about, and you’d better believe I got feedback about it.

And Microsoft kept awarding me the MVP anyway.

For years, that’s been awesome. I’ve always been appreciative of that MVP designation, and I wouldn’t have voluntarily given it up. It’s opened doors for me, and I’ve enjoyed the things I found inside those doors. MVPs are a rowdy, opinionated bunch that love helping others.

I’ve worked even harder on my journalism this year, and I know I’ve rubbed folks the wrong way with posts like:

  • PASS Passwords Were Shared – a vulnerability we’d shared with PASS months ago, and they never notified members about the risks
  • Here’s Why My PASS Blog Posts are So Angry – PASS knew members weren’t getting their election eligibility emails, and didn’t do anything about it
  • 3 Reasons the BA Conference Will Fail – pointing out serious business flaws in a conference Microsoft really wants to happen
  • I Need Your Help Improving the PASS Summit – attendee feedback isn’t considered when selecting speakers, and that’s a problem.
  • Partners? What Partners? – Microsoft is competing head-on with their own partners.
  • Fact-Checking the 24 Hours of PASS – Microsoft took over the 24HOP name, and the first session was flat out bad science and marketing.
  • Will Microsoft Read Your Azure-Hosted Data Too? – MS read Hotmail in order to win a court case, so what about your data?
  • Good News About Standard Edition’s Limits – celebrating the reduced-crippling of SQL 2014.
  • How to Pass the Microsoft MVP Exam – which is probably a good post to finish the list with.

Microsoft isn’t just one big thing: it’s a group of so many people with so many opinions. When I keep taking strong stands, it’s no surprise that I’d hit a critical mass of people inside Microsoft who don’t want me to get the MVP award. I would totally understand if I lost my MVP status due to complaints, either inside Microsoft or from outside.

But I didn’t. I’m still an MVP this year.

That’s amazing, and it says so much about Microsoft’s commitment to the community.

If you’d like to thank Microsoft for embracing the rowdy, intensive community, here’s where to find them:

  • @MVPAward on Twitter
  • MVPAwardProgram on Facebook
  • Email MVPGA@Microsoft.com
blogging, microsoft, mvp
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24 Comments. Leave new

  • denis gobo
    October 1, 2014 8:40 am

    Congratz Brent

    Reply
    • Brent
      October 1, 2014 8:42 am

      Dennis – thanks sir!

      Reply
  • kin
    October 1, 2014 9:07 am

    Congrats Brent !

    Reply
    • Brent
      October 1, 2014 9:08 am

      Kin – thanks!

      Reply
  • Annam
    October 1, 2014 9:10 am

    Congrats Brent..! Keep going with your bad habits .its worth learning for somebody else.

    Reply
    • Brent
      October 1, 2014 1:07 pm

      Annam – thanks!

      Reply
  • Anup Warrier
    October 1, 2014 9:17 am

    Congrats Brent !

    Reply
    • Brent
      October 1, 2014 1:07 pm

      Anup – thanks sir!

      Reply
  • Ronald Dameron
    October 1, 2014 11:37 am

    Does this mean you can bite the hand that feeds you and get away with it sometimes?

    Reply
    • Brent
      October 1, 2014 1:06 pm

      Ron – well, as long as the hand is Microsoft. I like that hand a lot. 😀

      Reply
  • Andy Hogg
    October 1, 2014 12:56 pm

    I demand a recount! 😉

    Reply
    • Brent
      October 1, 2014 1:07 pm

      Andy – HAHAHA, there was probably voter fraud. 😉

      Reply
  • Alin Selicean
    October 1, 2014 12:57 pm

    Well deserved, no matter how acid or not your posts are. That’s your opinion and you’re entitled to one… As we all are 🙂 Congratulations…

    Reply
    • Brent
      October 1, 2014 1:07 pm

      Alin – thanks sir!

      Reply
  • Michael S. Armentrout
    October 1, 2014 1:18 pm

    Congratulations Brent and keep fighting the good fight. I for one appreciate your passion, your candor and the humor with which you wrap it all up in. You are invaluable to the SQL/Microsoft community.

    Reply
    • Ronald Dameron
      October 1, 2014 1:24 pm

      Huzzah!

      Reply
    • Brent
      October 1, 2014 2:18 pm

      Michael – aww, thanks sir!

      Reply
  • sqltomato - Tom
    October 1, 2014 2:09 pm

    Well Deserved, Nice!

    Reply
    • Brent
      October 1, 2014 2:18 pm

      Tom – thanks man!

      Reply
  • Steve Jones
    October 1, 2014 2:53 pm

    did you check the fine print? I think the last one says “Minimally Viable professional” 😉

    Congrats

    Reply
  • Hemantgiri Goswami
    October 2, 2014 2:32 am

    Congratulations Brent!

    Reply
  • prince
    October 2, 2014 8:52 am

    Best Wishes!

    Reply
  • Buck Woody
    October 2, 2014 11:26 am

    “A friend will tell you when your face is dirty. An enemy will not.” – Arab Proverb

    Congrats again.

    Reply
    • Brent
      October 2, 2014 11:26 am

      HA! Thanks sir.

      Reply

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Hi. I’m Brent.

That's me, Brent.

I live in Las Vegas, Nevada. I'm on an epic life quest to have fun and make a difference.

I co-founded Brent Ozar Unlimited to help make your SQL Server go faster. I also maintain sp_Blitz® and the open source First Responder Kit repo.

My current car collection includes a Jaguar XKR-S, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356 Speedster replica, and a Ferrari 328 GTS.

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