Insider Spotlight: Robert Sparnaaij

(Originally posted October 20, 2020 By ~ Microsoft 365 Insider Engagement Team)

As part of our new Insider Spotlight series, we’re highlighting some of the MVPs, creators, and tech leaders who love the Office Insider program.

Robert Sparnai

You may know this MVP as Roady on Microsoft forums. Robert Sparnaaij works for one of the largest logistics companies in Germany and runs a Microsoft-centric business. He also found time to co-author a book called Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003.

Sparnai has worked as an ICT Consultant and IT Service Desk, specializing in Exchange and Outlook systems since 1999. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Information Technology and Management and a Master of Science degree in ICT in Business Administration.

Sparnaaij is passionate about helping people use Outlook and related programs and systems efficiently every day.

Tell us why you love the Office Insider program.

When you’re supporting others and writing a lot of documents, it’s good to be ahead of the curve. The Office Insider program gives you just that. You get to experience new features and other changes before they’re released to the public. So you won’t be surprised (too) if you have questions about them.

The Insider program also allows you to provide feedback during the development phase, when the product team can relatively easily implement changes and feedback. My experience with them has been very good. They welcome feedback and often explain why they made certain choices and how features are developed.

Robert Sparnai

What have you created through the Office Insider program?

Screenshots of new features and many other changes ;). I write a lot of documentation, so sometimes I have to completely rewrite a guide. For example, my “…where can i find it?” guides were used to help you find many of the everyday commands and settings for Outlook 2003, 2007, and 2010. The design changed significantly between these versions. With the launch of the simplified ribbon in Outlook for Microsoft 365, it was a great opportunity for a complete rework, and the Office Insider program was a great way to get a head start. Ironically, there are no actual screenshots in this guide.

Tell us about your journey in technology.

While I was earning my Bachelor’s degree in IT and Business Administration, I started working for a Dutch consumer organization, where I became interested in Outlook, Exchange and other collaboration technologies.

Outlook issues have always been an interesting mystery. The way technologists perceive the application and the way users actually use it are very different. I thought it was very important and interesting to properly understand the user’s work scenario. It also inspired me to find more users and use cases in the NNTP newsgroups (now forums like Answers) and learn more about Outlook.

I quickly figured out that there were a lot of questions I could answer there and started documenting some of my solutions. That was the beginning. HowTo-Outlook.comAnd shortly thereafter I became known as: MVP Award For the first time.

A few years later, I went to university to get my Masters in ICT Management. Here, I worked for a research company that did a lot of virtual collaboration. We built a data center-based network infrastructure that we provided to various other researchers. This practice is better known today as cloud-based computing.

In the meantime I started my own company and also started a second website. MSOutlook.infoThis is more of a Q&A style. HowTo-Outlook.com. I am still working part-time for one of the largest logistics companies in Germany. I mainly develop, maintain and support Outlook, Exchange, Teams and various other related Microsoft 365 applications and backend services.

What aspect of technology inspires you most?

It’s about finding ways for people to work more efficiently or achieve specific goals they have in mind. And of course, just because something is new doesn’t mean it’s automatically better, but just because something works now doesn’t mean it can’t be improved or continue to work that way. The trick is finding the right technology for a specific work scenario. It’s important to know what’s “new and shiny” and when to go for the more “proven”.

What word best describes your working style?

Systematic. When working with complex or new scenarios, it can be overwhelming and stop you before you even start. After you have decided on your starting point and your goals, it helps to break everything down into small, actionable parts. At that point, you can start with what you already know. From there, it becomes much more natural to fill in the gaps.

Who are some superhero characters you actually relate to?

Link from The Legend of Zelda. Not a traditional superhero, but if curiosity isn’t his superpower, I find his approach often matches the way I work. I start with almost nothing, get my bearings, explore, and learn a few skills. Then I get some tools, build on them, and ultimately help someone with my experience.

What movies, books, or other art forms inspire you the most?

Basically, anyone who is really good at something or is seriously trying to be great at something inspires me. At that point, I don’t even have to actually like it. For example, a style of music. But I can directly see the passion, skill, and effort of the artist. That’s what makes it great and makes me want to improve my skills.

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