Meet Our Microsoft MVPs: Paul Olenick

Last week we kicked off a blog series to helping you get to know our three Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) on staff better with an interview with AvePoint Technical Solutions Professional and Dynamics CRM MVP Fabrice Di Giulio. This week we’re back with AvePoint Client Services Strategic Consultant and SharePoint MVP Paul Olenick.

In his role at AvePoint, Olenick leads SharePoint and Enterprise Search engagements for large organizations across many different industries. First awarded MVP status in 2012, Olenick holds specializations in both FAST Search Server 2010 for SharePoint and SharePoint 2013 Search. We sat down to ask Olenick a few questions about his role as an MVP and how it impacts his work he does at AvePoint.

Interview with Paul Olenick

What does it mean to you to be a Microsoft MVP?

Paul Olenick: Being an MVP is all about passion and sharing. It takes a lot of passion to spend so much time studying and learning more about Microsoft technologies when we all have busy jobs, families, and other obligations to attend to. On top of that, MVPs always take the time to share what they learn with the community.

What do you like best about being an MVP?

PO: I love the additional opportunities and exposure to technology that I gain from the program. I also really enjoy the direct access to other MVPs as well as Microsoft Certified Masters (MCMs) and other Microsoft resources to bounce questions off of.

How does your status as an MVP factor into the work you do at AvePoint?

PO: Most notably, in professional services, it allows me to access information more quickly than I might otherwise. For example, if we’re troubleshooting an especially thorny problem, I can often get quick answers from the private MVP Yammer groups and other avenues, rather than the customer having to open up a support ticket. Also, the educational opportunities I’m exposed to allow me to provide the best guidance possible, factoring in the breadth of technologies, various roadmaps, and other components that make up the Microsoft technology ecosystem.

What is one suggestion you have for anyone looking to become an MVP in the future?

PO: My suggestion is to just focus on the work and always share what you do. For instance, start a blog or speak at your local user group. However, don’t do it for the sole reason of becoming an MVP – all of these things are great for your personal development and benefit your community as well!

What are you looking forward to most from Microsoft in 2015?

PO: I’m excited to explore Office Delve and how organizations adopt the technology in the real world.

Paul Olenick’s Greatest Hits

Below you will find helpful presentations, articles, and resources created and selected by Olenick that offer best practices for SharePoint.

• 6 Proven Steps to Get the Best Out of Search in SharePoint 2013
• MVP Monday – eDiscovery in SharePoint 2013
• A SharePoint Consultant on Information Architecture
• A SharePoint Consultant on Information Management
• The Problem with Contextual Search Scopes

Be sure to check back next Thursday, January 29, as we share an interview with AvePoint Public Sector CTO and SharePoint MVP Dux Raymond Sy!