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Aspiring MVPs – Interview with Howard Lo, MVP Lead for SEA

Based in Singapore, Howard Lo is the coordinator for Microsoft’s Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Program in Southeast Asia. Following on from their successful regional conference last month, he explained in greater depth why Microsoft invests so much in the prestigious IT professionals program.

		Howard is a disconcertingly young gentleman from America. And the impressiveness is not ameliorated when you learn his impeccable Microsoft credentials: he joined the corporation in Redmond seven years ago, and spent five years in development, some of that time as test-lead for Sharepoint and Excel. Then he decided to move. To Asia. Microsoft didn't do any development in Asia. No matter, Howard would do marketing. And so it was that Howard found himself in Singapore, masterminding MVP's. "It was a natural shift really", he assured me. "I used to be an Evangelist..." At this, Howard received his first doubtful stare.
	Certainly he had the energy and engaging smile common to those touched with missionary zeal who drag themselves across oceans, - but were we still talking Microsoft Inc here? "…since DPE's work very closely with MVP's, you see”. I didn't. Howard returned the doubtful stare. "DPE's… Developer and Platform Evangelists." Ah. We were talking marketing.

When he arrived here, Howard was given eight national programs to oversee: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia and the Philippines – a total of 58 MVP's. He was immediately struck by the differences in how MVP's operated here compared to America.

"In Singapore - I think because of its size - MVP's get together in person much more. It's a less virtual world here. Possibly as a result, professionals seem more willing to make a commitment to the 'community' here. And when they come up with original ideas, it seems much easier for them to come in and get started."

MVP status is contingent on the accredited IT professionals acting as catalysts between the corporation and its diverse user base communities. Most obviously, this manifests itself as a commitment to form and foster user groups. But what marks out an MVP from any other product enthusiast? What does it take to become an MVP? Who's in line for the award?

"Anyone can make a nomination, but realistically, the first move tends to come from Microsoft personnel, who will make a preliminary assessment. Then there will be a much more formal rigorous process whereby the candidate is measured against eight specific criteria…..but I can't tell you what they are.” Eh? “But generally, they are along the lines of 'is this person really being helpful or just making lots of noise.'"

Young Howard wasn't getting off that lightly: I wanted candidates' names, I wanted to know who can expect to find themselves parading on the MVP catwalk this season. So I changed tack, and asked him what were the sorts of people that Microsoft wants to be MVP's. "They must be skilled in a particular product; they must be active in the on-line community - not just answering questions, but mentoring and organizing. They must be 'community drivers'.

Still too vague, Mr Howard. When was the next cadre due to be admitted ? "August."

Any local hopefuls? "We're definitely looking to grow the program."

New candidates or renewals ? "Half-half."

From Singapore? "Yes."

Who? "         ." (pause...no comments from Howard)

And that was as about as indiscrete as Mr Lo was inclined to get. Instead we went on to talk about how Redmond gets involved in the program.

"Since MVP's are accredited to a particular product area, then the nomination is always forwarded to the appropriate Product Owners in Redmond, who evaluate how the nominee's activities align with their own product strategy". This is because MVP's are all expected to be able to deploy their expertise when pay-back time arrives and product development teams need detailed feedback. And Redmond increasingly wants MVP payback very early in the product cycle.

But what's the initial reward for gaining MVP status? Nominally: a welcome gift (currently an MP3 player); a plaque and certificate; free MSDN or TechNet subscription, and an invitation to the annual global shindig in Redmond. In reality, though, kudos is the real return. For the technology professional, MVP status confers instant recognition and therefore competitive advantage. For younger MVP's, the big draw is early access to software and the opportunity to really "geek-out" on it (Howard’s phrase).

And some MVP's are quite surprisingly young: Singapore currently sports a 24 year old who has already made the grade; the Philippines can boast a 19 year old. Presumably young MVP's have a spectacular future ahead of them. Howard mentions Robert Scoble - the most widely read Microsoft blogger of them all - who was himself an MVP for many years before becoming a Microsoft employee and Longhorn Technical Evangelist.

Wrapping up, Howard talked about the future: where he saw the MVP program headed. "In three of four years' time, I want a greater number of user group communities to have become established and successful; I want a pipeline of candidates to be coming through the communities to become MVP's; and finally, I want MVP's to become ever more engaged with Microsoft, especially at the point where we are working out how to market new products".

Only two user groups have thus far been established, though both under extremely capable and energetic leadership. And though Howard demurs from calling himself a talent spotter, clearly its his aim to nurture and recognize bright young hopefuls and dedicated professionals alike; both here and across the region.

TechNet Flash Singapore will be broadcasting the names of the new MVP's when they are announced in August.