Meet a Useful Human – Michael McDonald

We’re the workers you’d rent for those who may. Responsive, useful, and devoted in methods automation merely can’t be. We’re your workforce.

Every month we acknowledge considered one of our Most Useful People in Internet hosting. 

Michael is a graduate of Western Michigan College, class of 2007. Each earlier than and through faculty, Michael labored IT-related jobs for a handful of firms. Finally figuring out that he needed a profession in know-how, he got here to work for Liquid Net in 2012. Michael found early on that his expertise as a trainer, which made up most of his expertise earlier than coming to Liquid Net, helped him simply translate advanced website hosting ideas into language shoppers understood.

We caught up with Michael, at the moment a Community Administrator at Liquid Net, to seek out out what he loves most about working within the Internet hosting Business.

I had been on the lookout for positions in an IT-related discipline and located Liquid Net kind of by chance. I utilized, having solely minimal Linux and desktop assist and troubleshooting expertise from a earlier job at Geek Squad. I used to be so grateful that Liquid Net gave me an opportunity. Upon hiring, I shortly excelled at studying Linux and commenced supporting shoppers as considered one of The Most Useful People in Internet hosting®, and the remainder is historical past.

I used to be looking for a customer-oriented profession since I genuinely take pleasure in working with folks. Prospects are on the coronary heart of what we do at Liquid Net, so I knew shortly the profession was an excellent match for me. I additionally needed a profession that provided room for development and self-improvement. I like studying about new applied sciences, and Liquid Net is at all times rising to have the ability to supply extra for our shoppers. There’s a seemingly infinite quantity of instruments, software program, and merchandise for me to enhance my data of all issues Web-related.

Liquid Net is an organization that provides workers a substantial amount of latitude in how a lot freedom now we have to get the job completed. Working in a supportive atmosphere permits me to resolve points for my clients as shortly and simply as doable by discovering one of the best resolution for each drawback. 

There’s at all times somebody keen to assist at Liquid Net. No matter the issue could also be, work-related or not, I’ve no hassle discovering somebody who’s an professional and glad to lend some help. It’s a part of what makes us the Most Useful People in Internet hosting®, for purchasers and colleagues alike.

Liquid Net continues to be a small(er) firm. There’s a big concentrate on the workers, and that exhibits. Liquid Net goes above and past to create a supportive and enjoyable ambiance for workers. We’re not simply numbers or belongings—we’re people who find themselves acknowledged and revered, serving to us keep motivated and energized to offer clients our greatest. That’s how we stay because the chief in our business with a Web Promoter Rating of 67.

I turned a licensed Purple Hat teacher, enhancing my expertise and making certain I used to be proficient in thrilling new applied sciences. This certification allowed me to mix my love of know-how and instructing whereas serving to my coworkers study and develop. The data helps me discover artistic options for points that will come up for purchasers.

I’ve had too many to recount! There’s nothing extra satisfying than ending a name with a consumer and figuring out that one thing “clicked” for them; a bit of data caught that may make all of the distinction. Not all of our shoppers are tech gurus. Some are workers at an organization thrust right into a place through which they’re coping with know-how that they could not totally perceive. 

I firmly consider that the principle product we provide our shoppers is us, the Liquid Net workers who work tirelessly to make sure that each want of our clients is met as shortly and seamlessly as doable. I’m there to assist my shoppers, serving to with internet hosting infrastructure, troubleshooting, and answering questions as they come up. By being that bridge between consumer and infrastructure, I get to assist tons of individuals each single day. It is extraordinarily rewarding to listen to that “Thanks!” My shoppers aren’t simply being well mannered, however providing me their trustworthy gratitude for supporting them past the place different hosts could also be unable or keen to assist.

I am pretty well-known for being the Purple Hat Certification teacher, so folks ask me questions in regards to the class, the examination, and learn how to research. Now we have Home windows, Cisco, and Purple Hat Linux Licensed technicians at Liquid Net. I’m additionally somebody folks come to if a buyer has a singular drawback. It’s good to be a part of a sturdy assist system for my colleagues and our clients.

All the time have a backup and even a number of backups. RAID (“redundant array of impartial disks”) drives aren’t equal to a backup. Do not belief on-device backups; at all times have a number of copies of backups, and take them repeatedly. I at all times stress the peace of thoughts that Liquid Net’s Cloud Server Backups supply our clients; a built-in security internet that forestalls pricey information loss and downtime.

I really like studying and being outdoors in nature. I even have a 1976 Corvette I am continuously fixing. And I am a geek for all issues technology-related, together with the information.

Apollo (an iOS-specific Reddit consumer). The developer is a tremendous one who listens to his devoted followers, continuously improves the app, and does all of it by himself. It’s very spectacular!

In all probability Steve Jobs. He’s a titan of the tech business that modified the world.