Since we have several new clients and since I’ve been awarded in a new category I thought I would wag my own tail a bit and share this news. I’m now a Microsoft MVP in Office 365 cloud services. Microsoft awards about 4,000 people with the MVP each year and it is based on recognition by peers as an outstanding technical resource. 4,000 might sound like a lot but when you realize that there are 2,000 IT firms in Oakland County alone then extend that across the world you begin to see what a rare commodity the MVP really is. We are community people sharing our knowledge with others in this field.
I do this in a number of ways: My company, Third Tier, helps other IT businesses with technical problems they are having difficulty solving. I have a scholarship program for women wanting to advance their careers. We share the ransomware prevention techniques developed by Harbor with over 10,000 other IT firms around the world. I participate in many online technical and business communities helping to solve problems. I blog. I speak at conferences and on webinars regularly. For this Microsoft recognizes my contribution to the field with this award.
From Microsoft: It is with great pride we announce that Amy Babinchak has been awarded as a Microsoft® Most Valuable Professional (MVP) for 7/1/2018 – 7/1/2019. The Microsoft MVP Award is an annual award that recognizes exceptional technology community leaders worldwide who actively share their high quality, real world expertise with users and Microsoft. All of us at Microsoft recognize and appreciate Amy’s extraordinary contributions and want to take this opportunity to share our appreciation with you.
With just over 4,000 awardees worldwide, Microsoft MVPs represent a highly select group of experts. MVPs share a deep commitment to community and a willingness to help others. They represent the diversity of today’s technical communities. MVPs are present in over 90 countries, in more than 40 languages, and across numerous Microsoft technologies. MVPs share a passion for technology, a willingness to help others, and a commitment to community. These are the qualities that make MVPs exceptional community leaders. MVPs’ efforts enhance people’s lives and contribute to our industry’s success in many ways. By sharing their knowledge and experiences, and providing objective feedback, they help people solve problems and discover new capabilities every day. MVPs are technology’s best and brightest, and we are honored to welcome Amy as one of them.
To recognize the contributions they make, MVPs from around the world have the opportunity to meet Microsoft executives, network with peers, and position themselves as technical community leaders. This is accomplished through speaking engagements, one on one customer event participation and technical content development. MVPs also receive early access to technology through a variety of programs offered by Microsoft, which keeps them on the cutting edge of the software and hardware industry.
As a recipient of this year’s Microsoft MVP award, Amy joins an exceptional group of individuals from around the world who have demonstrated a willingness to reach out, share their technical expertise with others and help individuals maximize their use of technology.
What does this do for you?
Being an MVP is recognition of something that I do anyway. I’ve inherited a belief system that says that we must participate in the communities in which we are members. I carry that forward into a way of doing business. We are part of your community and we carry that into our way of doing business. We care about your business isn’t just a tagline it’s why we exist. IT has no purpose other than to make your business great! This is a phrase I repeat often. Being an MVP does offer me certain benefits from Microsoft. I hold an NDA with them that allows me to interact with the developers to provide input and try their latest ideas . I attend several meetings each week with developers and marketing departments for various areas that are important to you. It’s truly a fire hose of opportunity to provide feedback and influence what’s coming next. On the other side of things, when we need help we have an amazing set of resources to go to. We have direct access to Microsoft staff. We have access to the worldwide community of other MVP’s too. All of this adds up to a vast knowledge pool that very few get access to. We are very fortunate to be able to share this with you.
I have been re-awarded the MVP from Microsoft for 13 years running now. I’m amazed and grateful each time it happens. I’ve made friends from all around the world and traveled to meet many of them. Everything adds up to an experience that as a business owner and career IT person means a lot to me. It’s rare that once you’ve gotten a start in your career that such recognition comes along and I enjoy using this to help our clients in every way we can.
– Amy, president
About Harbor Computer Services
Harbor Computer Services is an IT firm servicing Southeastern Michigan. We work exclusively under contract with our clients to provide technology direction and either become the IT department or provide assistance to the internal IT they already have. We have won many awards for our work over the years, including the worldwide Microsoft Partner of the Year in 2010. We’re the smallest firm to have ever won this most prestigious award. Most recently we were recognized as one of the top 20 visionaries in small business IT by ChannelPro Magazine (2015). And in 2016 as the top Michigan IT firm for Manufacturing. We are headed by at 13 time Microsoft MVP and we’ve been 100% in the cloud since 2008. There are a few simple things that make Harbor Computer Services the best choice for your business. •We are Professionals •We are Responsible •We are Concerned About The Success of Your Business
