What does MVP mean to you?The MVP award recognizes people who are willing to take ownership of issues affecting their communities. Whether MVPs provide assistance through their careers or volunteer efforts, they strive to create an impact beyond themselves. While I recognize that the MVP award is an acknowledgment of the efforts that MVPs have contributed, I consider it a symbol of the intrinsic rewards that we have already received.If you could ask Steve Ballmer one question about Microsoft, what would it be?I would distill the question down to a hook for an entire conversation. Perhaps emulate Orlando Ayala, Senior VP of SMS&P, and say, "Steve, I have a business concept that would make Microsoft more effective in the small business market and cause a 10 billion dollar increase in annual revenue over 10 years. Could I discuss this with you for fifteen minutes? I promise not to talk longer unless you want to continue."What do you think the best software ever written was?If Chess were a software program I think it would provide the type of impact that good software should have. It teaches a system of thought, planning and adaptability, which humans combine to strategic advantage both within the game and beyond. Similar characteristics can be found in good software, whether it be a game, or some sort of professional application such as Enterprise Resource Planning software, project management, or software IDE.
For the past 11 years, I have helped businesses in developing new strategic business processes through the implementation of software. Many companies were unaware that their business thinking had changed. They simply used the software, and the improvements evolved as new information became available - a clear indicator of good software. As time passes, developments in IT are going to dramatically improve the way we think. We have much to realize regarding the importance of these changes and the value software has to our own development. | If you were the manager of Windows Server System - Small Business Server, what would you change?Windows Small Business Server is a fantastic foundation for businesses because of what it offers and enables. My greatest contribution would be to change the way people think about Small Business Server from that of an operating system to a business foundation. With a combination of Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Exchange Server, Windows Server Active Directory, Internet Information Services and more, Small Business Server is a perfect foundation for deploying other line of business (LOB) applications for Small and Medium Businesses (SMB) looking to simplify their IT while increasing the effectiveness and the reusability of data.
Microsoft has developed a successful SBS strategy by making the software less costly and combining it with inexpensive entry-level servers. This strategy is based on selling operating systems that run on hardware sold by third-party vendors to end users. From this perspective, software has always enabled customers to use hardware and there is still a huge market for Microsoft using this strategy. However, we also need to raise awareness that a new paradigm is emerging in which software enables software.
Software like Small Business Server enables other applications like Microsoft Customer Relationship Management, Microsoft Navision, Microsoft Project and other third-party applications to be used by SMBs that otherwise would not contemplate deploying elaborate and complex systems. The Small Business Server strategy needs to shift toward the new paradigm, allowing for greater cooperation between the SBS team and the other LOB teams at Microsoft and/or with Independent Software Vendors. This perspective change increases the opportunity for the IT industry to effectively create solutions for SMBs.
My contribution to the SBS team as they adopt the new paradigm is to help develop a high availability strategy and product offering. Although SMBs want simple solutions, many cannot afford to have their businesses crippled by the hardware downtime of a general purpose server, and thus most businesses need Fault Tolerant Hardware.If you were given unlimited data bandwidth, what would you do with it?Beam myself to Mars or somewhere in Alpha Centauri and back - hopefully, properly geared and in one piece. I just do not want to materialize underground - truly a "blue screen of death." | What was the last book you read?The last book that I read was "Operating System Concepts" Sixth Edition, published by Silberchatz, Galvin and Gagne - a requirement for my Masters Degree.What music CD do you recommend?My favorite CD is "We Will Rock You" by Queen.What makes you a great MVP?I do not call myself a "great" MVP, I just act without considering accolades. I consider a great MVP to be someone who works tirelessly toward the greater good. I want my fellow MVPs to know that I will never expect their contributions to mirror my own because I appreciate each contribution as unique and valuable.What’s in your computer bag?A computer, of course.What’s the best thing that has happened since you’ve become an MVP?I have met many fantastic people at Microsoft. My fellow SBS MVPs are a constant source of inspiration. I also got involved with Culminis, an organization that helps IT professionals make a bigger impact on their community.What is your motto?Success is usually preceded by failure. To be successful you must be willing to fail and able to recover from any failures.Who is your hero?Terry Fox (http://www.terryfox.org), a Canadian with cancer who tried to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. Unfortunately, halfway through his quest, he became sick and died soon afterward at age 22. Through his greatness, he faced adversity by challenging himself for the greater good. In a world where too many people face adversity by lashing out, Terry Fox provided inspiration regarding how to address problems. I am proud that he was a fellow Canadian.What does success mean to you?I consider success as having the courage to try. There is so much opportunity available to us that choosing our focus is always the first step to success. |
