So I’ve had an opportunity to reflect on my time with the Microsoft Dynamics platform.  And if you will spare me a few moments to indulge you with my thoughts about how I believe you can have a personally and professionally fulfilling career with Microsoft Dynamics.

I say personally fulfilling because for me the whole purpose of our being and role as a Microsoft Dynamics professional is to make a measurable difference to the way our customers relate to their customers.  Which brings me to the most important aspect of being a Dynamics Professional.

Make it personal

Whether your a developer, architect or business analyst, your aim is to manipulate this platform and make it a personal experience for your customer.  Just like a pair of well fitting shoes, you want something that performs well, is personalised to your tastes, and one that will stand the test of time.

This aspect requires you to focus on your ability to relate to your customer.  Some call it Human Centred Design, Design Thinking, Customer Centric Modelling yet they all share one thing in common, to empathise with your customers.  To ask the right questions, to challenge old thinking, and to continually validate your assumptions.  Only then can you have a end product that is fit for purpose.

Once you’ve done this, I can guarantee you will feel an immense satisfaction from being able to look back and say I really made a difference here.

Tools of the Trade

Like any good tradesman, you’ll need to have the right tools for the job.  A good Dynamics Professional should be able to relate abstract concepts and processes to well crafted workflows that work well with the platform.  Remembering all the while to challenge your assumptions and indeed yourself in thinking of innovative ways you can bring information to your customers at precisely the right time.

To reach this level of Dynamics zen, you must understand the full capabilities of the platform.  You can achieve this in three ways:

  • Hands On experience.  Through project based work or self start trial environments, start to explore the platform by hypothesising “Can I do this?  What happens if” and then measuring your results.
  • Learning Paths.  If you are lucky enough to work for a Microsoft Gold Partner request access to Partner Learning Portal, and undertake the many self paced learning videos.  Once you’re confident with the content, get certified. Certification is an absolute must in my opinion.  It shows a degree of credibility and provides you with some confidence that you are performing your work in alignment to best practices.  It helps promotes yourself as well as your employer and it creates a desire to continually learn more and undertake more study.
  • Network.  As is the reason why I’m writing to you today, I hope to meet like minded individuals who can stimulate ideas and inspire me to do better work.  Reach out to your local Dynamics User Group, participate on Microsoft Forums, subscribe to popular Dynamics channels on YouTube and Blogs.  Find out what everyone is doing in this space and you will ultimately find your home within the Dynamics community.

Over the next few blogs I will be delving deeper into each of these areas, focusing specifically on where and how to find the right resources and materials for learning, and how best to keep abreast of the technology.

So get out there, be inspired, do great work knowing that the more you do the better you’ll feel and become and then share it with your fellow Dynamics family!