Last year in November i applied for the Veeam Vanguard program. I said to me “come on, give it a try”. I wasn’t absolutely unsure if the people at Veeam will select me as a Vanguard. This program is no certification exam or something you can “learn” for it. You will be hand-picked by the Vanguard team which consists of many specialists in their branch.
This week i received an email from “Rickatron” Rick Vanover, one of the evangelists at Veeam. In this email he wrote that i was selected as a Veeam Vanguard. I literally freaked out!
The first time i’m honored as a Veeam Vanguard. I’m really proud!
What is the Veeam Vanguard program?
I think the following quote from the Veeam Vanguard website will best describe it.
A Veeam Vanguard represents our brand to the highest level in many of the different technology communities in which we engage. These individuals are chosen for their acumen, engagement and style in their activities on and offline.
It’s all about the community. People out there in the IT, bloggers, influencers, partners can apply as a Veeam Vanguard. Those people are pushing the brand “Veeam”, they are curious, keen and eager. Those people want to do more, and they do more. Vanguards are helping other community people with their technical help and expertise. They produce content for the community, forum and blog posts. But not only this. They are active on and offline, talking about things, explaining things to other people.
What is it not?
The Veeam Vanguard program is not a sales boost for a partner or a reseller. You can’t say “if i become a Vanguard i will do more sales”. That doesn’t work. It’s also not a booster for forums or blog activities. You are active or not. You post stuff on the forums or blogs or you don’t. But it doesn’t work like “give me the Vanguard and i’ll blog post everything and do marketing for your”.
The Veeam Vanguard Team and selection process
The application opens usually in November. Your application will then be reviewed by the Vanguard team. Those people really know their stuff. Every year there are just few new Vanguards in the program. And any existing Vanguard has to re-apply for the program, and his / her application will also get a review.
Doug Hazelman
VP Product Strategy at Veeam (Executive sponsor of the Vanguard program)
Clint Wyckoff, Michael White, Michael Cade, Anthony Spiteri, Rick Vanover
Evangelists at Veeam
Kirsten Stoner, Dmitry Kniazev, Andrew Zhelezko
Technical Product Marketing staff at Veeam
After roughly three months all selected persons will be contacted via email and they will be notified whether it worked or not. Because it was my first time, the waiting for the notification was harder then the application itself. But to be honest, in my busy job i have to put such things aside, just to get an even bigger backflash when Rickatron announces on Twitter, that the notification mails will soon be sent out to the people:
At 1300 Rickatron time, the #VeeamVanguard emails go out. Until then, microwave my burrito!
— Rick Vanover (@RickVanover) 30. Januar 2017
Conclusion
I’m still happy that my application was selected and i’m now honored to be a Vanguard. That happy feeling will last some days i think and i can hardly wait for more and detailled information about the next steps as a new member of this program.
In this video, Mike Ressler and Rick Vanover will explain more details about the program. Enjoy it!