Hello all,
After over two years of working with the Microsoft Tech Community team, I am sad to say that my time managing the community has come to an end. We've been through a lot of exciting community changes, product updates and fun events both online and in-person.
What's next for me? I am packing up my things and moving to SE Asia to pursue a little sunshine and relaxation. For the first few months I will be travel through Japan, South Korea, and China before landing in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam where I plan to soak up to sights, sounds, and smells for the foreseeable future.
To celebrate the end of this chapter, here's a countdown of a few fun moments we've been through together.
109 - The number of Weekly Roundup's I've published on the Office 365 Network and the Microsoft Tech Community. I've loved putting together the roundup each week as it gave me the excuse to read through all the great conversations here. It also allowed to to pick a Member of the Week each week that exemplified the spirit of the community. We truly couldn't have created this community without the amazing members here. Don't worry, the Weekly Roundup is is good hands with @EricStarker taking the lead.
64 - The number of AMAs & YamJams that I've hosted. By far one of my most favorite things in the community are the 'Ask Microsoft Anything' events (and not just because I always pick-up coffee & donuts for the team). AMAs, or if you love Yammer- YamJams, are truly one of the best ways we've been able to let our customers peek behind the scenes and and get to know the members of the teams creating the products. My favorite one? A close call, but perhaps the 'How to YamJam, YamJam'; so meta!
18 - Microsoft Tech Summits around the word. I attended 5 Tech Summits (Toronto, Mexico City, Chicago, Washington DC, and Copenhagen) and WOW! What an experience. While traveling is great (obviously I've got the bug), the best part is being able to evangelize the community in person. It's incredibly fulfilling when after a 30 second elevator pitch, someone sees the value of the community, signs up on the spot, and continues to interact in the community weeks later.
6 - The number of members on our rockstar community team. I couldn't be more lucky to work with such an amazing group of people. A big shout-out and thank you to @MichaelHolste who hired me and has taught me so much during my time here.
I may be leaving, but there's no stopping this team. With @jeffmedford, @AnnaChu, and @Daniel Martins leading the Office 365 and C+E strategy, and @Maddie_Egan, @EricStarker and @Mackenzie Lyng in the Microsoft Tech Community and BAPI communities on the ground, this place has the people-power in full force.
2 - Microsoft Ignite's under my belt. From the photobooth, to the Community Spotlight talks, MVP dinners, community meet-ups, surviving on no sleep, and losing my voice, Microsoft Ignite is always an experience. Watch out for Microsoft Ignite in Orlando, I know the team has some fun ideas planned for community.
1 - One Microsoft Tech Community. From my first day on the job, it was clear that our customers were looking for something more from community. It's always been our goal to provide something that was inviting, friendly, and most of all, useful. To achieve this we needed to bring Community from across the Microsoft ecosystem together into one place. I'm incredibly proud of the work we've done to realize that goal and I'm excited by thriving place that the Microsoft Tech Community has become.
I've truly enjoyed getting to know all of you. Thank you for the experience! If you would like to keep in touch or follow along with my adventures you can find me on Twitter at @lanaobrien.
Until next time,
-Lana O'Brien
