We got to see MCP Benefits get launched in October, 2007. There was a lot of work in involved and some challenges in making this happen for you guys, but it was worth it. It’s a step in the right direction, and Microsoft Learning is looking for ways to reward our MCP and MCTs for being Microsoft Certified. We straightened out the MCP welcome kit mess for now, but we need to keep our eye on it.

If you recall, many of you received vouchers for delays caused by us for not getting the welcome kits shipped to you in a timely fashion for welcome kits you placed an order for. You go to see downloadable versions of the certificates for the new generation certifications such as MCITP, MCPD.  We now have a revamped process, along with plans to shorten the welcome kit shipment times thanks to the collaborative efforts of many hands chipping in to make this a better process. We’re looking to utilize the “pizza box” delivery package utilized by the MCT program to ensure your welcome kits get there undamaged the first time.

We’ve seen our active participation increase almost 20 % last year from all the MCP who logged in and accessed their benefits and resources from the MCP Secure Site at https://mcp.microsoft.com/mcp. There’s more cool stuff coming for the MCP program. You’ll find that being Microsoft Certified does mean something, and will help you with your career.

Thanks to the assistance of Rajesh Mohan, Rahul Parikh, Donal Cavanagh, and Venumadhava rao Yandapally, we’ve got better customer issue escalation in place from the regional service centers to tier 1 to Tier 2 to handle MCP issues coming in.

There’s still more work to do for us, but I’m confident it’s going to happen. Quite a few good ideas have come up from the MCP Community on how to add value to being certified. Microsoft Learning is listening and they are serious about adding value to certification, and I’ve seen quite a few amazing folks step up to make things happen in this space behind the scenes.

I’d like to thank Noury Bernard-Hasan, Wayne Anderson, Adam Jaffe, Howard Dierking, Trika Harms Zum Spreckel, Lilia Taylor, Rolando Zarate, Rob Linsky, Rick Grindley, Bill Wall, Steve Sheppard, Max Myrick, Helmer Zandenberg, and many others for their assistance and feedback to help me get ramped up on the MCP program. In my absence, Ken Rosen will be covering down until we can identify the next MCP community lead. If you know of any good candidates (must be Microsoft Certified) who are passionate about adding value to Microsoft Certifications, and growing the MCP Community, please send them to Ken Rosen to see if they’re a good fit.

Warmest Regards,

George

We're looking to take existing groups and consolidate them under "official" MCP LinkedIn groups that can be validated for the folks in the groups are actually MCPs. You'll have a group for each specific credential, such as MCP, MCSE, MCPD, MCITP, and so forth. In order to join the groups, you'll come in through the MCP Secure Site, get your credentials validated. and then you get directed to the correct group(s) based on your credentials.

In Erwin's own words, "How does it benefit you?  Well, by joining a group, you will be able to network and connect with others with your certification.  In addition, you will be able to display your certification logo on your LinkedIn profile for everyone to see.  This is one of the only ways you can get a logo or visual ID on your LinkedIn profile and it’s treated as a badge of honor on the website.

We’re going to work and build a way to ensure that only those who are allowed to join the groups have valid certifications to protect your hard work and investment.  Thus for the time being, these groups will be created and operated by us in Microsoft Learning.  We may enlist the community to help us with these groups in the near future.  But we thought we should be running this at the beginning to make sure everyone knows this is an authentic, official effort."

So, let us know what you think on either my blog, Trika's blog or feel free to email Erwin at erwinc@microsoft.com with your feedback.

Regards,

George, MCP Guy

If you’re interested in telling your success stories, and you get selected for an interview, you’ll find your story published on Microsoft’s websites and portals. We’ll make your story into a case study that will be provided to Microsoft’s largest enterprise customers. Talk about a career boost.

What we want to know is: Who you are, and what you can do with Microsoft’s new generation of certifications. Please send your inquiries to me by January 30, 2008, at georgeop@microsoft.com.

George, MCP Guy

Microsoft Announces New Benefits for Global Microsoft Certified Professional Community

New benefits feature increased access to an internal knowledge base for technical troubleshooting and worldwide community networking.

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 26, 2007 — Microsoft announces that its community of 2.2 million Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs) will now receive new benefits that will help them successfully deploy
and support new technologies through increased access to internal Microsoft resources and networking with their peers.  The new MCP benefits are being introduced as Microsoft is gearing up to launch Windows Server 2008 and customers are already taking advantage of the readiness resources available.  ”As new technology is released, Microsoft is investing in unique benefits for MCPs that provide ongoing value that will help them improve their performance on the job while distinguishing themselves from their peers,” says Lutz Ziob, general manager of Microsoft Learning.

Video Side Bar:  The Value of Having Microsoft Certified Professionals on Staff Watch the video. (2 min, 52 sec)

Helmer's Blog: https://blog.hznet.nl

Regards,

George, MCSE NT4/Windows 2000

Regards,

George

George

I'd love your feedback on this. We're looking for ways to help you promote your skills to your peers and employers. If you don't like this idea, please let us know as well.

George

https://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/directory/default.mspx