The 5 Crucial Skills to Look for in a Microsoft Dynamics Consultant

The 5 Crucial Skills to Look for in a Microsoft Dynamics Consultant

Offering a full range of robust features and functionalities, Microsoft Dynamics 365 (MS Dynamics) is one of the world’s most popular CRM (customer relationship management) platforms. For such a powerful, enterprise-grade CRM platform, MS Dynamics is remarkably user-friendly. Nonetheless, organizations new to the world of customer relationship management will benefit from hiring an external Microsoft Dynamics Specialist from a company such as WayPath.

What Is a Microsoft Dynamics Consultant?

A Microsoft Dynamics Consultant is brought into organizations to work with the customer relationship management team and perform specific tasks related to its Microsoft Dynamics products.

What Do Microsoft Dynamics Consultants Do?

The responsibilities of a Microsoft Dynamics CRM Consultant might include:

  • Working with the client to understand their system requirements and help develop the optimal software solution.
  • Educating clients on product processes and best practices
  • Resolving application issues
  • Understanding customer interactions
  • Performing test scripts and gathering documentation data
  • Troubleshooting problems
  • Data analysis

Why Your Business May Need a Microsoft Dynamics Consultant

Trying to keep up with the ever-changing technology landscape can be a daunting task for businesses of all sizes. This is where Microsoft Dynamics CRM Specialists come in, as they can help your business make the most of the software.

A good Microsoft Dynamics Consultant will simplify, streamline, and de-risk your CRM implementation. If your current software or instance of CRM isn’t up to date, a Microsoft Dynamics Specialist will know all the ins and outs of the platform and help you make the transition.

They’ll use their technical know-how and experience in the platform to properly plan and execute all the processes involved ahead of time.

When you hire the right Dynamics CRM consultants, you’re in a pair of safe hands and can rest assured that all dependencies are taken into account, which reduces the risk of implementations hitting roadblocks and the need for costly rework.

Let’s consider some of the top benefits you can look forward to from engaging a Microsoft Dynamics Specialist:

Top Benefits of Hiring a Dynamics Consultant

Expertise

A consultant will have plenty of experience working with Dynamics 365 and will be able to share their knowledge and expertise with you to help you unlock the full potential of this software, ensuring that you’re getting the most out of it. A seasoned consultant will have encountered an array of real-world business situations over the course of many years and will immediately know which strategies and technical approaches are likely to work best.

A Fresh, Unbiased Perspective

One advantage of engaging an external Dynamics CRM consultant is that they don’t work within your organization. This means that if a problem arises, they’ll address it on the basis of the information provided, free from any personal bias. Consultants are helpful in situations where there’s internal debate about the best solution or implementation plan, offering sound guidance and neutral advice. Consultants also bring a fresh perspective and often suggest new ways to fix old problems.

Training & Support

A Dynamics CRM consultant can provide you with in-depth training on how to use all the features of MS Dynamics. This can be extremely helpful for businesses that are new to the software.

A consultant can also provide you with support during the implementation process, ensuring that everything goes smoothly. If you encounter any problems or difficulties while using Dynamics 365, a consultant can help you figure out the best way to solve them.

Custom Solutions

A Microsoft Dynamics CRM Specialist can help you maximize the value of Dynamics 365 by helping you develop custom solutions. They can help you find ways to incorporate additional functionality into your Dynamics 365 deployment and, in turn, help you get even more value from it.

Assistance with Integration

Many businesses opt to integrate Microsoft Dynamics with other software to streamline processes. A consultant can provide you with assistance in this regard, helping you use both solutions seamlessly together.

Project Management

A consultant can offer proactive project management services to ensure your deployment runs smoothly from start to finish. This will save time and reduce stress on your end as you won’t have to worry about deadlines or deliverables for the project.

Less Pressure on Internal Resources

Another advantage of engaging a Microsoft Dynamic CRM Consultant is that your own employees can continue working on company projects without the added stress of an additional workload or, in some cases, feeling they have insufficient training to complete the job to the required standard.

A Long-term Partnership

If you hire the right consultant, you have a go-to person when you need additional help after the initial project has been completed. Because they’ll already be familiar with your business processes, they’ll be able to quickly suggest effective solutions that align with your needs.

Peace of Mind

When you hire a Microsoft Dynamics consultant, you can rest assured knowing that they have the knowledge needed to make implementing the software a success. This makes it easier on your team as well and lets them focus on other aspects of the business.

So, if you’re looking for ways to get the most out of Microsoft Dynamics 365, hiring a consultant is the way to go. They can offer you invaluable advice and assistance in deploying and using the software to its full potential.

Take your business to new heights with a Microsoft CRM Dynamics expert consultancy. Book a call.

The Cost of Hiring a Microsoft Dynamics Specialist

The cost of hiring a Microsoft Dynamics Specialist varies depending on the experience and expertise of the consultant. The cost can be higher if the business needs a consultant who is highly specialized in a particular area.

For most businesses, the benefits of increased efficiency, time savings, and increased profits easily outweigh the cost of working with a consultant. By working with a consultant, a business can get the most out of their investment in Dynamics software and see a real return on that investment as well.

5 Skills to Look for in an MS Dynamics CRM Consultant

But how do client organizations decide which ‘world-class’ consultants to consider for their Microsoft Dynamics 365 project? A good way to sort the genuine experts from the potential ‘cowboys’ is by comparing them based on these five crucial skills and qualities:

1. Functional Knowledge

This one almost goes without saying, but not quite. Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a comprehensive CRM platform. Therefore, a competent consultant should be knowledgeable about its different functional modules, features, and integration capabilities. Are they well-versed in its technical, development, functional, and business aspects? You want to be sure they have proven experience in Dynamics 365 configuration, standard workflows, dashboards, forms, views, and standard reports development. They also need to demonstrate a good understanding of different development methodologies, the Dynamics 365 Power Platform, and the Dynamics 365 Common Data Model.

2. Business Understanding & Requirements Analysis

Your ideal Microsoft Dynamics CRM Consultant must be adept at grasping business requirements analysis. Make sure they possess a clear understanding of your specific needs and how these can be incorporated into detailed design specifications and ultimately into a working solution. They should be able to judge which modules, features, and capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics 365 are relevant to your business goals. It can be helpful if the consultant’s functional and business understanding of Microsoft Dynamics CRM spans different industries or sectors.

3. Communication Skills

It’s one thing knowing the software inside-out, but what about the soft skills? Can your potential Microsoft Dynamics CRM Specialist appease a tricky stakeholder when there is a delay or address multiple teams about project changes? The Consultant is often required to organize requirements sessions and status update meetings with a client. They also need to coordinate with the development teams to ensure that the project is proceeding as per schedule. They may also be tasked with identifying business/project risks and communicating them to appropriate stakeholders when necessary. All these critical responsibilities require excellent and proactive communication skills plus outstanding interpersonal skills.

Most consultant-led Dynamics 365 CRM projects don’t fail due to poor technical knowledge or inadequate client/business understanding. They fall down because the consultant was unable to communicate appropriately with the right stakeholders at the right time. Before you make a decision, take your consultant on a communications ‘test-drive’ and make sure they have the skills to handle all of the above.

4. Multi-tasking & Time Management Skills

A Microsoft Dynamics Specialist often has to wear multiple hats while juggling plates and cutlery. One day they may support the organization with the design, development, customization, and implementation of Dynamics 365. The following day they might be helping with data migration and third-party integrations while arranging user training and even supporting with ongoing maintenance. A consultant often provides consultative inputs, translates business requirements into functional and configuration requirements, and addresses risks. They may even manage the CRM’s knowledge management aspects. To handle all of these various aspects of a Microsoft Dynamics 365 project, multi-tasking and time management skills are an absolute must. Juggling plates is optional.

5. Problem-Solving Skills

In addition to strong business, analytical and technical abilities, a Microsoft 365 Dynamics Specialist should be a first-class troubleshooter. From advisory and implementation to maintenance and support, your consultant will collaborate with project stakeholders and follow a project methodology to get the job done according to the SLA, schedule, and budget. It’s very likely that they will encounter problems along the way in terms of risks, delays, and errors. But with strong problem-solving (and decision-making) skills, they can counter these issues before they affect the quality or timeliness of the entire project.

Tips for Hiring a Dynamics Specialist

Microsoft Dynamics consultants can be critical to your company’s future success, so it’s important to take your time and find someone who can help you achieve your goals. When you’re looking for a Microsoft Dynamics consultant, there are certain things you need to keep in mind.

First, it’s important to know what you’re looking for in a Microsoft Dynamics Specialist. Do you need someone who can help with implementation? Or do you need someone who can help with customization and configuration?

Once you know what you need, here are some tips for finding the right consultant:

  • Check Their Credentials – It’s important to do your research and check the credentials of any potential Microsoft Dynamics Specialists before hiring them. Make sure they’re certified in Dynamics and have plenty of experience working with the software. You can also ask for references from past clients to get an idea of their work quality.
  • Understand Their Experience – Look for someone who has a strong background, especially in your industry. A consultant who understands business processes will be able to help your company more effectively use Microsoft Dynamics.
  • Notice their Communication Skills – One of the most important factors when hiring a consultant is whether or not they have strong communication skills. Because they’ll be working closely with your team, make sure the consultant can communicate effectively and is able to explain complex concepts in a way that your team will understand.
  • Consider Methodology – All partners have their own proprietary methodology for Microsoft Dynamics implementations. You’ll want to make sure that the partner you choose has a methodology that is well-suited for your project and your company’s needs. The right methodology should be flexible enough to accommodate changes yet rigid enough to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
  • Confirm the Scope – Make sure you have a clear idea of what the consultant will be doing for you and what the cost will be.

Asking Potential Consultants the Right Questions

When you’re looking for a Microsoft Dynamics partner, it’s important to ask the right questions. Below, we’re sharing ten quick questions to ask a Microsoft Dynamics Specialist to see if they’re the right fit for your business.

  1. What experience do you have with Microsoft Dynamics implementations?
  2. What industry do you specialize in?
  3. What size of companies do you typically work with?
  4. What are your core competencies?
  5. How do you price your services?
  6. Which components of Microsoft Dynamics do you specialize in?
  7. Do you offer training and support services?
  8. What references can you provide?
  9. What is your project management methodology?
  10. How do you ensure that your projects are on schedule and on budget?

By asking these questions, you can get a better understanding of the partner’s capabilities and how they would be likely to approach your Microsoft Dynamics implementation. This will help you make an informed decision about which partner is right for you.

A Microsoft Dynamics Specialist is an important part of a company’s success. They help businesses use the software to its fullest potential, optimizing their operations and improving their bottom line.

WayPath’s team of experienced Microsoft Dynamics Specialists bring excellent functional knowledge and business understanding, as well as outstanding communication, problem-solving, and time management skills to every Dynamics 365 project. That’s why we’ve successfully delivered a host of schemes and enterprises for organizations all over the U.S. and around the globe. To hire a WayPath Consultant for your project, please get in touch today for a free quote.

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