The ‘Real You’ is a feature on the European SharePoint Blog which gives you the comminity the chance to get to know more about your peers through their experiences, fun facts and the advice they were given to help them strive in the SharePoint World. This month’s interview is with Juan Carlos González Martin who was a speaker at ESPC14.
Juan Carlos González Martin
1. Where are you from?
I’m from a very small town located in the North-West of Spain: Palacios del Sil. My town is lovely since it’s located in the country side of Leon and you have the opportunity of doing a lot of things there: biking, running, fishing in the three rivers we have, etc.
2. Where do you work?
I work in Santander, a small city in the North of Spain near the Cantabrian Sea. Santander is really famous because of its bay (one of the most beautiful ones in Spain) and also because the local gastronomy: Don’t forget to taste a “Codido Montañes” if you have a chance to visit the city.
3. How did you get involved in SharePoint?
Mainly because of my work as a Solutions Architect and Evangelist in Microsoft Technologies. I started this kind of activities in a Microsoft Innovation Center and I’m still doing them in my current company (LKS).
4. What do you do in your spare time?
Well it really depends on the season of the year we are. For instance, during the summer I like to enjoy the lovely beaches we have in Santander and surroundings. However, in winter time (really awful here) is when I dedicate more time to my passion: the technology. Of course, I also like to have some beers and some party time with my friends and I try to go to the Gym 2-3 times per week.
5. Favourite TV show?
Big-Bang Theory
6. Favourite Book?
The Lord Of the Rings
7. Favourite Movie?
Braveheart
8. Favourite song?
With or without you (U2
9. Apart from a career in SharePoint what would be your dream job?
I don’t really mind as long as every day I enjoy and love what I do at work
10. Have you any hidden talents?
Maybe some…I’m really good doing Spanish Omelette …from the technology point of view, I love to write technical books and articles.
11. Who is the biggest party animal in SharePoint?
Not sure about the meaning behind this question, but I would say the new Search Engine in SharePoint 2013…this guy really likes to waste server resources (RAM + CPOU)
Bad codding when extending SharePoint…event this mean I will have more work to do. There are too much companies and developer who don’t know best practices and patterns when developing for the platform.
13. You can invite 3 people, dead or alive to your dinner party. Who would they be and why?
• My lovely girlfriend, Raquel.
• My grandfather, who has been always very proud of me.
• My best friend, David.
14. If you were stranded on a tropical island and could only bring 3 things with you what would they be?
• A Swiss army knife because all the great tools it includes by default.
• Some comics to do some reading in all the spare time I would have there
• A lighter just in case I need to make a fire
15. Who is your hero?
Undoubtedly, my father who has always worked really hard for my family.
16. What’s the best piece of advice you were ever given?
Trust yourself, believe in your capabilities and use them.
17. Have you any advice to give to someone just starting their SharePoint career?
Of course, go step by step…don’t try to sprint when learning SharePoint. Working with SharePoint is just like normal life: a distance race with several goals in your way.
18. What has been your biggest SharePoint challenge so far?
Update my knowledge with each new version of the platform.
19. If you could do one thing to change the world what would it be?
Remove the power of politicians and big corporations, which are the source of many problems in our world today
20. Biggest fear?
Don’t have enough time to visit all the countries I would like to know.
21. If you could choose anyone to be your mentor who would it be?
Undoubtedly, my MVP fellow Gustavo Velez. For me, he is the foremost SharePoint expert in the Latin-American world.
22. If you could share the stage with anyone in SharePoint who would it be?
Any of my great SharePoint community friends: Gustavo Velez, Alberto Díaz, David Martos, Mario Cortes, Rodrigo Pinto, Jeremy Thake,…
Whether you are relatively new or experienced in SharePoint, we’d like to share your story with the European SharePoint Community. If you are interested in taking part, simply email mary@sharepointeurope.com.
