A Windows Insider MVP Visit to Microsoft Headquarters!

You read the title correctly.  I finally got to visit Microsoft headquarters!  Year after year of being awarded Microsoft MVP and now Windows Insider MVP, fellow MVPs have asked if I was going to the MVP Summit. I almost made it one year but the dates of a project at work changed and I had to cancel.

All that changed last month when I received an email inviting me to join the Insiders2Campus contest winners at Microsoft Headquarters.  It was like a dream come true, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  Of course I accepted!

Insiders2Campus  

I was a bit anxious about meeting the other people I would be joining because, out of the group, I am the only one not an IT Pro.  Rather, I am dedicated to working with/helping consumers.  Within minutes of meeting them, I quickly discovered that there was no need for concern.  Aside from each of us being Windows Insiders, we meshed.  After checking into the hotel, we had an impromptu gathering in the hotel lobby to get acquainted. 

Here we were, far from home, complete strangers, the majority from different countries with completely varied backgrounds.  I discovered quickly that our backgrounds didn't matter.  We immediately connected.  Just as we witnessed at Microsoft at the various venues we visited and the people we met, we also exemplified diversity, inclusiveness and respect for one another. 

Who we are:

From left to right:  @robert_haluska, @lunaturk, @SamueleDassatti, @MustafaGeo, Windows Insider MVP @simonallisonuk, Microsoft MVP @ThomasMaurer, Windows Insider MVP (me 🌹 ) @SecurityGarden), @SimonHess and (@danielschbarros

The Schedule:  Our days were packed from start to finish.  Although much of what we talked about was covered by NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement), you can find general information about many of the places we visited in fellow Windows Insider MVP Simon Allison's article at Windows Insiders are welcomed to Microsoft HQ.  Following are a few specific highlights from the trip that I can share. 

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

As Dona Sarkar tweeted:

The most Insider thing ever: we have 10 #WindowsInsiders on campus this week who are the winners of the bug bash contest. We were to do a session with them today...but of course, we set the building on fire and had to evacuate

The hike down the stairs when the fire alarm sounded and back up was well worth it when we finally sat in on Dona's talk to the Microsoft Shell Team.  If you've heard about or read her book, "Spin Your Tale: The Fiction Writer's Guide to Your Personal Brand", you have an idea of what it was about.  As Dona said, "Your brand is your professional reputation.  It's what you're known for.  It's what you're an expert at. It's why people call on you."  The book provides steps on how to "Spin Your Tale".  It is a workbook going through the steps to ensure your brand reflects who you are.

The surprise to me was that I was included in the presentation!  Yes, Dona had used information from the Windows Insider MVP interview of me last year, including the very, very old picture that the interviewer selected. 🙂

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Among the highlights on Thursday was a visit to the Microsoft Garage.  Again, as described in Dona's tweet:

Our #Insiders2Campus toured the @MSFTGarage today. Did you know that the #windowsInsiders fave #MicrosoftLauncher started as a Garage project? We loved hearing from @_jeff_ramos about some of the behind the scenes wins and "learns" from prev projects #MicrosoftLife

I have to be honest, as great as it is, Microsoft Launcher wasn't what caught my attention.  Rather I was very excited to see two other things on the "Wall of Fame".  The first was Mouse Without Borders which I had blogged when it was released in 2011.  Screen Capture from the Garage:

Since consumer security is the area I have concentrated in throughout the years, the other thing I was excited to discover on the "Wall of Fame" was MSRT (Malicious Software Removal Tool) .  The knowledge that the developers of MSRT used personal time to create a tool to benefit Windows users makes it all the more special now when an updated version is delivered each month with the security updates. 

Friday, October 12, 2018

Friday opened with a Question and Answer session, described by Dona:

Today the visiting #Insiders2Campus had a open Q&A with our upper management on Feedback, Flighting, the future of #WindowsInsiders, the future of dev'ing on Windows and a lot more. "Microsoft Insiders is definitely something we are doing--and yes, there will be a MVP program"

The Question and Answer session was more than that.  There was no doubt throughout the session (and, in fact, each session we attended) that management was truly interested in what we had to say, in our feedback, where we saw issues, where we saw need for improvement. Windows Insider feedback truly is appreciated, wanted, respected and needed.

Windows Insider Mixer

Windows Insiders are familiar with the monthly Windows Insider Mixer webcasts where we have the opportunity to learn more about upcoming features, discuss preview builds and so much more.  The mixer this month was a bit different -- we were the ones sitting around the tables instead of Microsoft employees!  It is an hour long and the recording is available here:   https://mixer.com/WindowsInsider?vod=60068475.

Thank you! 

Hopefully, you have a small idea about how much this experience meant to me.  The trip organizers left no stone unturned.  Each and every detail was covered.  Our escorts were amazing and each and every presenter at the various sessions provided not only interesting information to us but were also interested in our feedback.  Members of the Windows Insider Team and other product groups joined us at various hosted lunches and dinners. Their honest interest in our input was evident.

To fellow Insiders to Campus members, it was wonderful getting to know each and every one of you and sharing the wonderful experience with you.

References:

• Windows Insiders are welcomed to Microsoft HQ
• Global Diversity and Inclusion Home
• "Spin Your Tale: The Fiction Writer's Guide to Your Personal Brand" -- available from Amazon
• Corrine Chorney: Windows Insider MVP and Security Specialist - Windows Insider
• Mouse Without Borders
• Welcoming Our Biggest Fans to Microsoft Headquarters: Insiders2Campus - Windows Insider

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...