September 24, 2011 at 9:28 pm
I apologize in advance if this is off-topic.
I'm doing my PhD and I'm researching branding in professional services.
I have a couple of questions for anyone who would like to help me:
a) How valuable is the MVP designation for a consultant?
Does it really convey expertise given that it is primarily awarded based on community contributions?
b) Are there any consulting companies with a high concentration of MVPs?
Thank you
September 24, 2011 at 11:34 pm
I have no idea on question b) but on question a), yes... even though it probably shouldn't mean a thing, MVPs are frequently regarded simply for being MVPs. Part of the reason for that is because of the things they're exposed to after they become an MVP. The information is so cutting-edge that they have to sign a non-disclosure agreement with Microsoft in order to receive the award. They also get a full subscription to MSDN, which allows them to "play" with virtually every piece of software that Microsoft makes.
The other part is that a lot of people don't know that the MVP award is a "community service award" or they figure that if Microsoft gave someone an award for, say, SQL Server, then they must really know something about SQL Server.
Not all MVP's are created equal, though. Some have won the award just by having a lot of forum posts or have created a lot of blog entries. MS doesn't always have the time to do a full-blown review for content and accuracy on any of those things and as with any accolade in the world, you'll find some that don't deserve it.
On the other hand, if you look at some of the MVPs like Gail Shaw, Grant Fritchey, Peter Larsson, and a host of others too numerous to list here, you'll find some of the most knowledgeable and giving people in the entire world.
As for hiring tendencies... as a person previously responsible for conducting many levels of interviews for hundreds of people, the letters after a person's name mean nothing to me at any point in the interview process whether the letters are for degrees, certs, or accolades. Actually, that's not quite true. I'm MUCH more disappointed when someone with alphabet soup after their name can't answer the relatively simple questions I ask during an interview ESPECIALLY if the questions are in a field covered by those letters.
--Jeff Moden
Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.
September 25, 2011 at 2:48 am
stefanos_valvis (9/24/2011)
a) How valuable is the MVP designation for a consultant?
I've certainly gained advantage from it. Being able to say I'm the only SQL MVP in the country is a fairly large advantage. I can't say if I've won work solely because of that.
b) Are there any consulting companies with a high concentration of MVPs?
Several.
Solid Quality. SQLSkills (everyone is an MVP (and 2 are RDs), MCM or MCM instructor ). A couple Australian companies I can't recall names of.
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability
September 25, 2011 at 2:51 am
Jeff Moden (9/24/2011)
Part of the reason for that is because of the things they're exposed to after they become an MVP. The information is so cutting-edge that they have to sign a non-disclosure agreement with Microsoft in order to receive the award.
No you don't. The award is an award, no conditions attached. Sign the NDA and you get access to internal information, MVP summit, insider sessions, etc. You can not sign the NDA (I know a couple who chose that option), you still have the MVP award (certificate, card, logo), but no dev team access, no newsgroup/forum, no events.
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability
September 25, 2011 at 5:50 am
a) It depends. Over the last few years I was, in a very lazy fashion, looking for work. I did some interviews, but I wasn't really serious about it. But I was going to multiple companies and talking to hiring managers, HR people and other DBAs & Developers. I regularly had to explain what the MVP program was. They honestly didn't know. So how valuable could it be? For those who don't know, it's utterly useless and meaningless. For those who do know, it's as Jeff & Gail have explained to you.
While it is a community award, and there is a VERY wide range of expertise for MVPs, for the most part, it does acknowledge a certain level of technical knowledge. It has to. You have to write books, present at conferences, answer user group questions, and put up blog posts. If your knowledge is completely wrong or you are totally inept, you're unlikely to get the attention you need to get & maintain the award. That said, it's absolutely NOT a measurement and can't be judged that way. You can be quite mediocre and still become an MVP.
b) There are some. Solid Quality. SQL Skills. PragmaticWorks. Those are the ones that immediately come to mind.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt
Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning
September 25, 2011 at 8:51 am
GilaMonster (9/25/2011)
Jeff Moden (9/24/2011)
Part of the reason for that is because of the things they're exposed to after they become an MVP. The information is so cutting-edge that they have to sign a non-disclosure agreement with Microsoft in order to receive the award.No you don't. The award is an award, no conditions attached. Sign the NDA and you get access to internal information, MVP summit, insider sessions, etc. You can not sign the NDA (I know a couple who chose that option), you still have the MVP award (certificate, card, logo), but no dev team access, no newsgroup/forum, no events.
Thanks for the correction, Gail.
--Jeff Moden
Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.
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