CIM’s Graham Jones – Recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award

re: CIM’s Graham Jones – Recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award

Stephen Ibaraki, FCIPS,I.S.P., sibaraki@cips.ca — Sat, 15 Jul 2006 18:07:16 GMT

Clearly special...

I should add that Graham is only the second Canadian recognized in a special award category for what I call "versatilists" -- multi-talented ICT professionals who are defining the future according to Gartner.

Well done: Graham Jones, MVP! I like the way it sounds :-)

Cheers,
Stephen Ibaraki

re: CIM’s Graham Jones – Recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award

Stephen Ibaraki, FCIPS,I.S.P., sibaraki@cips.ca — Sat, 15 Jul 2006 18:01:21 GMT

Jing,

I commend you on your offer to volunteer. Service to communities is what defines ICT professionals and makes them particularly special.

Graham is prime example of this and I very much value his contributions in so many areas over a long, sustained career.

Thank you,
Stephen Ibaraki

re: CIM’s Graham Jones – Recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award

jointer — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 07:52:02 GMT

Jing,

Thank you for the congrats. I really appreciate it. For sure I will be in touch to discuss volunteer activities/possibilities. I would like to think that we might make a good team, with you as the 'brains', of course :).

Cheers
Graham

re: CIM’s Graham Jones – Recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award

jointer — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 02:52:48 GMT

Stephen,

Thank you very much for your kind words. I only hope that I can live up to the high standards, which are expected. I will certainly be working hard to do justice to the honour that I have been given.

I have achieved professional recognition in a number of ways over my career but the MVP award is particularly special to me. Firstly, because it was given rather than sought after and secondly because I have always believed in helping others if it was within my knowledge or power, even to the point of my own detriment on occasions.

As I have grown older, the importance, value and personal reward of making a contribution to the community has become more important to me. When you are younger it is often difficult to separate ambition and the desire for security from some of the more important things in life. When something isn't about money or creature comforts but about seeing or hearing the appreciation for your efforts, then there is no greater reward.

I guess, at the moment, I still find it hard to believe that I am now part of a group, which I always regarded as 'special'. It is going to take a little time to get used to the idea :).

Cheers
Graham

re: CIM’s Graham Jones – Recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award

jchen0119 — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 00:04:04 GMT

Congratulations, Graham! I think you richly deserve this honor and I appreciate all your great work in these years.

BTW, I am actively looking for volunteer opportunities right now. So please let me know if you need any help, Graham.

Cheers

Jing