WeAreDelphix: Meet Michael Torok

What do you do at Delphix and what inspired you to join the company?

I am the Director of Knowledge and Community Management here at Delphix. I’ve held a number of positions at technical companies over the last 20 years, but I continue to find database tech and securing that technology fascinating. The ability to work for a company that is focused on ensuring private data is not leaked or lost was much too good to pass up.

Unlike many companies in the industry, the mentality of our hiring managers is to hire the best and to let them do what they do best from wherever they call home. My entire interview was conducted remotely via email, Zoom, and Hangouts. But of course, I’ve been to most of our campuses now and had the chance to meet many of my colleagues one-on-one. Nothing takes the place of engaging with people directly, and my position allows me to engage with people from every department. Everyone is razor sharp, friendly, and willing to share their knowledge. It has been incredible since day one.

You can ask me anything about…?

We live in a self-service world, where the majority of people want to find what they need on their own. The creation of knowledge by our education and experience team and the larger customer success team is integral to the success of that journey for our customers and for people who want to learn more about Delphix. Whether it’s online or instructor-led training, knowledge base articles, or getting answers to enterprise data challenges, we’re here to help navigate all of that.

The other hat I wear, as Director of Community, lets me be at the heart of continuously building more knowledge based on direct customer feedback. Why would a company like Delphix even need a community platform when they have such stellar customer success and support teams? It’s because our amazing customers take the product to new places and find innovative ways to use Delphix to support their businesses. The community provides a conduit through which you can reach people from every department of Delphix, from development and support to marketing and product management. If you don’t know already, it’s also a great place to learn all about DataOps from our DataOps champions and evangelists.

What’s the coolest project you’ve worked on at Delphix?

I would say launching the new community from the ground up in just under 4 months while sustaining the current one. Cool things are always in the pipe here, and we have a most excellent project releasing soon which will help you find what you need, wherever it may be, in the many sources of knowledge that Delphix maintains.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

If your job becomes a “job,” but you want or need it to be more, find a new one.

We all deserve to find fulfillment in what we do for a living and when that stops being the case, you need to find somewhere to land that will help you continue to grow and expand your skills. I’ve lived by this, and I’ve always moved to positions that were more challenging, more expansive, and more engaging. Never let yourself become lethargic and never let your mind be wasted.

What’s your secret talent?

I’m a potter and a published poet. I’m working with my wife, an illustrator, on how to combine the two.

What song instantly puts you in a good mood?

Beastie Boys’ Sabotage, though lately anything from Khruangbin does, too.

What drives you everyday?

I’m driven by my colleagues, customers, family, and constant curiosity (and alliteration, it would seem). Through my contributions, I want people to succeed, find answers, and grow. I’m lucky to have a job where that desire to help and make a difference is integral to being successful.