When I got involved with CompTIA back in 2009, I certainly never expected to become the association’s first-ever Member of the Year. Receiving that recognition has proven a humbling and deeply rewarding experience on a personal and professional level.
The first CompTIA event I attended was a Breakaway conference, the precursor to today’s ChannelCon. At the time, I had a vague idea of what CompTIA was about, so I went in with a fair amount of curiosity about what the organization has to offer and whether it was worth it to become a member.
I was immediately struck by the level of energy and knowledge demonstrated by CompTIA members. The membership is diverse, welcoming and willing to share ideas. What other organization puts you in the same room with entry-level people who are just starting in the business and seasoned executives of large corporations talking about business challenges and opportunities?
Common Cause
CompTIA members are not only deeply knowledgeable, but also care about what they do, the industry as a whole and how their work can help shape its future. While I expected some guardedness since, after all, this is an extremely competitive business, what I found was a willingness to share experiences and best practices, trade ideas and look for common solutions to business challenges.
For instance, at the time there was a lot of confusion about managed services in the marketplace. MSPs had a hard time articulating what they do and how customers could benefit from this new service approach.
I found that others were facing the same challenges I had as an MSP, so I decided to get involved in the CompTIA Managed Services Community, eventually becoming vice chairman, then chairman. I’d like to believe the Community has made a significant contribution by helping to define the MSP’s place in the IT world – and how to deliver services profitably with a strong focus on value.
Today’s customers are more knowledgeable about what we do and clear standards and best practices have been adopted across the industry, and I believe our efforts have contributed to that.
Validation and Credibility
I view being Member of the Year as recognition and validation of the work I have done with my peers to help the managed services community and the IT industry as a whole. By bestowing me with this honor, CompTIA also has elevated my stature in the community, giving me a higher level of credibility as I meet with others in the industry; opening new doors and lines of communication.
Now that I work for a vendor, receiving this honor shows we aren’t the kind of vendor that just wants to take advantage of partners to sell our products. Rather, we take an interest in the needs of our partners and customers, and make every effort to ensure the solutions and support services we provide match those needs.
Being Member of the Year has also motivated me to do more and continue to give back to the organization. I feel a greater responsibility to tell others about CompTIA, what the association does and why they should become members. I want to help pave the way for others to join, make their own contributions to address industry challenges, and share new ideas and solutions.
CompTIA membership isn’t just about what you get but what you put into it. I encourage other members to look for ways to use your skill-set and experience to benefit the entire community.
There is a lot going on within CompTIA! Resist the temptation to sign up for every group and initiative, as you can quickly find yourself overwhelmed. Instead, figure out where you can learn the most and make the greatest impact based on your expertise and career goals.
Unique and Special
Whatever you put in, you get back tenfold. And that’s largely because CompTIA is a different kind of organization – a non-profit that is truly neutral. All members, regardless of size and weight in the industry, are viewed equally by the organization. You don’t get more clout because you have more market share or a more recognizable brand. This makes CompTIA truly unique and special, providing a membership that is open, supportive and offers each individual member the opportunity to thrive.
John Tippett is the vice president and general manager of Aisle8, a division of SnapAV. Aisle8 is a manufacturer and distributor 100 percent focused on the needs of solution providers and offers more than 2,500 products exclusively to the channel. Learn more at onaisle8.com.
