CRM MVP Podcast

There are several features in Dynamics 365 that can strongly increase User Adoption when they are set up and used correctly.

I've put a list of 10 User Adoption Magnets and I discuss why I believe these can be the difference between an Effective and an Ineffective Solution.

Some of these magnets are features we've had for 10+ years but no one seems to pay attention to them!

Let me explain.

We were in Austin, TX attending eXtreme 365 and the keynote focused on what we can expect in 2019 from the world of Microsoft Business Applications and the Power Platform.

We took some time to reflect on all the changes that have happened over the last 3 years, and see how many things we know and love today were only dreams or perhaps unimaginable back in 2015.

Which made us think, where will we be 3 years from now? Can we make predictions about what will happen by the end of 2021?

Well, five CRM MVPs took on this challenge and made predictions on what will happen within the next 3 years. Some can only be labeled as outrageous or impossible. Some we all agreed are just around the corner.

Each MVP was instructed to write 2 predictions privately and reveal them live during the recording. All of the predictions and reactions you are about to hear are raw and real!

My Guests:

Steve Mordue: https://twitter.com/stevemordue

Jonas Rapp: https://twitter.com/rappen

Jerry Weinstock: https://twitter.com/crminnovation

Nick Doelman: https://twitter.com/readyxrm

I was traveling to Sweden to speak at Dynamics 365 Saturday in Stockholm when I started realizing that there were a few situations in Microsoft Dynamics 365 where there were a couple of ways to approach them, but I always defaulted to one way versus the other, sometimes perhaps even going against Microsoft or Industry Best Practices.

I wrote down a list of 10 situations or functionalities that accomplish the same task and I got together a group of CRM MVPs and outstanding professionals to discuss which one they prefer and why.

If you are an Dynamics 365 Pro or practitioner, listen in to what 5 CRM MVPs have to say about these items:

1. Real-time vs. Background workflows
2. Power BI dashboards vs. Dynamics 365 dashboards
3. Dynamics 365 for Outlook client vs. App for Outlook
4. Regular/Web vs. Unified Interface
5. Power Platform and CDS vs. 3rd party Integration tools
6. Dynamics 365 for Marketing vs. 3rd party Marketing Automation solutions
7. AppSource vs. Google/Bing search
8. Microsoft Portals vs. VoC surveys or 3rd Party web forms
9. PowerApps vs. Dynamics 365 for Mobile
10. Editable grids vs. Classic grids

Guests - CRM MVPs:

Gustaf Westerlund: https://twitter.com/crmgustaf

Chris Huntingford: https://twitter.com/TattooedCRMGuy

Jonas Rapp: https://twitter.com/rappen

Antti Pajunen: https://twitter.com/anttipajunen

Humberto Fernández-Morán: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humberto_Fern%C3%A1ndez_Mor%C3%A1n

Episode 39 focused on 10 features I wanted GONE from Dynamics 365. This episode focuses on 10 features I want ADDED to Dynamics 365 immediately.

Here's my wish list:

1. Print to Word/Print to PDF/Email PDF
2. Performance-based Configuration Freedom
3. Save and Publish
4. Business Rules actions on Sections and Tabs
5. Multi-select Lookups
6. Audit 2.0
7. Compose with Outlook Online
8. Auto-Number and Random-Number
9. Dynamics 365 and SharePoint synchronized security
10. Customizable Social Pane

Plus a Bonus feature I added at the end as I was signing off!

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CRMMVPPodcast

There are so many features in Microsoft Dynamics 365. Some of those features have been in the product for a long time and I believe they should go away!

Now, I know you'll disagree with some of the items on this list just by reading it but hear me out, let me explain why I think these features need to die:

• The Outlook client
• Mail Merge
• The Knowledge Base
• Leads
• Non-editable Entities
• Non-editable Field Data types
• Contracts
• Non-Editable grids
• Import Data Wizard
• FetchXML

Links discussed on this episode:

Features too tough to die: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4omHguZkYzc

XrmToolBox: http://www.xrmtoolbox.com/

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CRMMVPPodcast

Episode 37 caused quite a stir because I publicly announced my refusal to ever use Managed Solutions for any purpose other than to deliver IP or Solutions created by an Independent Software Vendor (ISV).

CRM MVP Jonas Rapp "closed this case" by publishing an article attempting to put this issue to rest where he basically claimed that you are either using Managed Solutions, or you are doing it wrong.

So, I started wondering: Am I the one who has been wrong this whole time? Have I been against this "Best Practice" for so many years due to my lack of understanding regarding how these solutions work? Should I apologize to all the listeners for suggesting they use Unmanaged Solutions instead?

Well, there was only one way to find out. I took advantage of the fact that I was attending the CRMUG Summit in Phoenix, AZ and pulled 4 other seasoned Microsoft Dynamics 365 Professionals (2 developers and 2 implementers) to see if we could end this debate once and for all. At the very least we should be able to end this debate with a 3-2 vote, right?

Was Team Managed Solutions led by Microsoft, Jonas Rapp, and other experts right this whole time? Or, will I be able to find anyone else who would join my Unmanaged Solutions Rebel Squad?

Tune in to listen how we end this debate once and for all.

Guests:

• Seth Bacon
• Neil Benson
• Nick Doelman
• Aiden Kaskela

Also Read:

Great article regarding Managed vs. Unamanged Solutions by CRM MVP Nadeeja Bomiriya:

https://community.dynamics.com/365/b/dynamics365apps/archive/2018/10/15/managed-or-unmanaged-how-to-decide-which-one-to-choose

The title says it all. This is an episode about the "things" I never do or use in Microsoft Dynamics 365 and why.

Just like the "Top 20 Best Practices I disagree with" episode, you will probably go through a rollercoaster of emotions listening to this episode, as you find yourself agreeing, disagreeing, happy, sad, angry, proud, disappointed, and ready to unfollow me on Twitter and unfriend me on Facebook at different points during this episode.

I hold no punches.

Here is the list of "things" I never do or use in Microsoft Dynamics 365:

1. Whole Number fields
2. Non-Global OptionSets
3. Organization-owned custom entities
4. System N:N relationships
5. Managed Solutions
6. Dynamics 365 for Outlook Offline mode
7. Disregarding Licensing "limitations"
8. Code for something that can be done with out of the box functionality
9. Enabling Audit without configuring it first
10. Trade performance for functionality

Paul Slade is CEO at The CRM Team, a world-class Microsoft Dynamics 365 Gold Partner in South Africa.

I've known Paul for several years and this episode is long overdue. Paul is an excellent speaker, and understands how organizations can accomplish a Digital Transformation successfully by leveraging Microsoft Business Applications, including Dynamics 365.

On this episode we discuss:

• Paul's past experience as a row-boat builder.
• Starting his first technology company and how they accidentally became a CRM Practice
• His experience working for Microsoft
• The birth (and death) of "CRM Rockstar"
• Starting his second CRM Practice
• Navy SEALs and becoming the High Priest of the Church of Extreme Ownership
• Paul's thoughts regarding what makes a successful CRM team and practice

Links:

Follow Paul: https://twitter.com/thatcrmguy

The CRM Team: https://thecrmteam.com/

Jocko and Leif on the radio in South Africa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmgaypgYYu0

The book: https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/1250183863/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1535924644&sr=8-1

I've been thinking about this episode for a while. I wanted to take some time and talk about those confrontational situations that happen once in a while during Dynamics 365 Implementations and what is the best way to manage them or diffuse them.

Years ago when I was a "young Solution Architect" I was lucky enough to be mentored by someone who had been working with Dynamics CRM since its Beta days, and who I consider the best in the world at dealing with confrontation in Dynamics 365 Implementations.

So, when I thought about recording an episode featuring the Top 10 confrontational situations we find on Dynamics 365 Implementations, I knew I had to get him on the show.

His name is Patrick Lewis, and he joined me on this episode to talk about how he deals with these situations:

1. The project lead on the customer side was not involved in the sales process and now wants something different
2. The executive sponsor of the project is on the IT side and none of the users care what he/she thinks because they are sales people
3. You realize that a task that is needed on a project will take twice or three times to accomplish than what was calculated before stating the project
4. You find out that someone assigned to your project team does not have the necessary skills or experience to perform tasks assigned to her/him
5. The customer was told something by your sales team before they signed the contract that you know it's impossible now that the project started, and the contract is signed. Time wise or functionality wise.
6. Dysfunctional organizations where the business and IT hate each other
7. The customer is taking forever to get their data
8. Personality conflicts/people who bring personal issues to work
9. The awkward situation where Microsoft functionality gets dropped between the sales process and project completion
10. Working with ISV vendors that are unresponsive or have poor collaboration

Special thanks to Joel Lindstrom for suggesting some of these situations.

You can reach Patrick at: [email protected]

Links:

businessThink: http://a.co/cQ7P6xP

Sandler Selling: http://a.co/8Z5URUt

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: http://a.co/glaaVpZ

In the past, whenever we approached a Dynamics 365 Solution we never really thought about the client/medium the user would use to access the functionality and data. We led entire implementations from the perspective of the Web Client and other available clients were always an afterthought.

With the improvements on the Mobile clients and the introduction of new mediums to access the information over the last couple of years, we are no longer on a place to ignore all of these options and remain effective as a Solution Architect.

So, I invited CRM MVP Michael Ochs to discuss these options and share some best practices and examples on best situations to use each option. We discussed:

• Web Client with Unified Interface
• Outlook clients
• Mobile Clients
• Task Flows
• Power Apps
• Portals
• Power BI
• Unified Service Desk

Follow Mike: https://twitter.com/MikeFactorial

Cobalt's Snapshot: https://www.cobalt.net/category/crm-lab/crm-snapshot/