CRM MVP Podcast

Dani and James host this episode of the podcast and they share stories from projects in the past where things didn't work as expected from the get go. Hosted by: Dani Kahil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danikahil/ James Abraham: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrossabraham/  

This episode focuses on API calls and the entitlements that Microsoft expects customers to follow based on their licenses. Gustaf Westerlund joins me to share everything you need to know about API calls. P.S. If you are On-Prem this show is not for you. :)

Last week we attended the UG Summit 2021 in Houston, TX...many people were concerned about having an event in person and a large number of attendees decided to attend virtually instead. In this episode, Microsoft MVPs Sarah Jelinek, Nicholas Hayduk, and Gus Gonzalez sit down and discuss their experience attending the event in person and whether they will be attending the event in 2022.

I'm never really excited to see announcements around licensing for Dynamics 365 and Power Apps, but I've been looking forward to this announcement for months! But first, as usual, I went into a tangent about something else, this time I discuss July 1st, and how important of a date it is for me personally. Link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/news/pricing_and_licensing_updates_coming_to_power_apps

There's someone who works at Microsoft who has been involved in the release of Microsoft Dynamics 365 (previously known by different names) since its Beta version. He led the creation of the first version of the product, then the creation and release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0, 4.0, and then responsible for taking it Online! And I believe that understanding this person's role in the history of Microsoft Dynamics 365 is important if we are trying to see where the product is going in the future. Links shared during this episode: A Brief History of Microsoft Dynamics: https://www.nigelfrank.com/blog/a-brief-history-of-microsoft-dynamics/ Release waves of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Online: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/released-versions/dynamics-365ce Microsoft Dynamics 365 On-Prem (v9.X) Lifecycle: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/dynamics-365-for-customer-engagement-apps-version-9-onpremises-update Microsoft Launches Dynamics CRM Online: https://www.crn.com/news/applications-os/207401175/microsoft-launches-dynamics-crm-online.htm Microsoft appoints Nadella to lead Microsoft Business Solutions: https://news.microsoft.com/2006/09/12/microsoft-appoints-nadella-to-lead-microsoft-business-solutions/ Reinventing Business Processes: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/reinventing-business-processes-satya-nadella/

Solution audits are a great way to work around challenges with your current implementation, whether it is because you are curious about the effort to fix an issue, complete a migration, or improve user adoption, an audit can make a huge difference in terms of effectiveness of a Dynamics 365 Solution for any organization.

This is our 4th Anniversary Episode! Thank you everyone who have been listening since May 2017. This one is for you! I found some interesting data about the Lifecycle of Dynamics 365 On-Prem. Listen to this episode and tell me what you think. Also, this episode is available on video through our YouTube channel: http://crmmvpmedia.com/

In this podcast Microsoft MVPs Hamish Shield and Dani Kahil dive into the concept of ‘requirement curveballs’, sharing their experience in challenging projects with complex , misunderstood or ambiguous requirements. They talk about how to get everyone on a project to that sweet spot, where there is a shared understanding of the requirements.  Links to some of the materials we discussed during the show: Design Thinking Tools and Templates Design Kit Ideo Design Thinking Stanford d.school IBM Enterprise Design Thinking Training Ideo U Microsoft Catalyst Microsoft Learn Design Sprints The Design Sprint (thesprintbook.com) Design Sprint Masterclass by AJ&Smart. (ajsmart.com) Share and engage with the Design Sprint Community (designsprintkit.withgoogle.com) Hosted by: Hamish Shield: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamishsheild Dani Kahil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danikahil

In this episode of the podcast I talk to Andrew Ly, who on top of being one of my favorite MVPs in the world he just became a FastTrack Recognized Solution Architect. Andrew discusses the process he went through to receive the recognition and how it is different from a Certified Power Platform Solution Architect. My Guest: Andrew Ly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewlyadelaide/   Links: FastTrack Recognized Solution Architects - Power Platform: https://powerplatform.microsoft.com/en-us/fasttrack/recognized-solution-architects/ FastTrack Recognized Solution Architects - Dynamics 365: https://dynamics.microsoft.com/en-us/fasttrack/recognized-solution-architects/

Recently Microsoft announced that they will be taking over the support of local user groups while other organizations battle to fill the gaps Microsoft will be unable to fill initially such as in person events and training. Most of the organizations looking to fill those gaps are led by implementation partners, and I wanted to share my thoughts on whether this is a good thing for the community and for the users. Article reviewed during this episode: https://msdynamicsworld.com/node/30151/node/30151

Today we discuss 10 capabilities from Dynamics 365/Power Apps that have been around for a while and whether they are still useful. need some work, or never worked whatsoever. The List: 1. More Addresses 2. Connections 3. Word/Mail Merge Templates 4. Follow/Unfollow 5. Merge 6. Duplicate Detection 7. Import Data Wizard 8. Bulk Duplicate Deletion 9. Sharing 10. Reports

To celebrate our 100th episode, I decided to compile some data about the show and go over it with you. Along the way, you'll find me going out in tangents and sharing some lessons and best practices...I hope some of these helps! Thank you everyone for tuning in, don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel below and stay tuned for even more CRM MVP Podcast in the future! http://crmmvpmedia.com/

Most of the functionality in the Dynamics 365 Customer Service App has been around for years, so  I invited two Microsoft MVPs and Customer Service experts to discuss the value of these features today. The features we discussed are: Knowledge Base Subject SLAs/SLA Pausing Entitlements Queues Case Creation and Case Routing Rules Customer Service Portal Holiday and Customer Service Schedules Parent/Child Case Relationships Scheduling This episode is also available on video! If you rather see our faces as we discuss these topics live, tune in and subscribe to: http://www.crmmvpmedia.com/ Guests: Tricia Sinclair: https://www.linkedin.com/in/triciasinclair/ EY Kalman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thecrmninja/

The Dynamics 365 2021 release wave 1 is upon us and I wanted to take a few minutes to talk about some of the features I’m really excited about, including very innovative (and borderline hard to believe) capabilities as well as some improvements we have been expecting for years! I also address a topic that might be very controversial to discuss openly but, are MVPs losing their “allure”? Are we just "influencers" now and not really experts? Important Links: Dynamics 365 2021 release wave 1: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365-release-plan/2021wave1/ Microsoft Power Platform 2021 release wave 1: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform-release-plan/2021wave1/

Most of the functionality in the Dynamics 365 Sales App has been around for over a decade, so  I invited two Microsoft MVP veterans and world-class implementers to discuss the value of these features today. The features we discussed are: Leads Quotes Orders, Invoices Sales Territories Goals and Fiscal Years Product Catalog Competitor Sales Literature Gamification Pipeline Charts and Sales Dashboards This episode is also available on video! If you rather see our faces as we discuss these topics live, tune in and subscribe to: http://www.crmmvpmedia.com/ Guests: Neil Benson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbenson/ Matt Wittemann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwittemann/

Let's take an hour to go over the goals we set out to achieve in 2020, and how successful we were against those goals. We also go through some of the most exciting moments in the year, the launch of the Decision Accelerator Community, and the slow death of Dynamics 365 On-Premise.

A couple of years ago Microsoft released the $10 per user per app per month license and a lot of organizations were either tempted to make a move into the new licensing model or made the change altogether. Well, Microsoft seemingly improved this offer by allowing organizations to create Power Apps hosted on Dataverse/CDS for FREE*. Well, it's not 100% free, you do have to have a Microsoft Teams license, but who doesn't have a Teams License nowadays? Before you get too excited and start dreaming about moving your current Power Apps to Teams so they are free to use and access, there are some caveats we need to discuss. Guest: Joel Lindstrom: https://twitter.com/JoelLindstrom

Last year we got together and asked Microsoft for some new features and some changes or adjustments to existing ones...since we had such a poor record in 2020 (just like everyone else this year) we decided to give it another shot and ask Microsoft for some more stuff! Listen to five Microsoft MVPs as they each reveal their list of wants and needs for Microsoft while the other four MVPs react in real time. Guests: Nicholas Hayduk: https://twitter.com/Engineered_Code Lisa Crosbie: https://twitter.com/LisaMCrosbie Megan Walker: https://twitter.com/MeganVWalker Matt Collins-Jones: https://twitter.com/D365Geek

The Coronavirus Pandemic has affected millions of businesses around the world, one of those businesses is Dynamic Communities, Inc. The organization that runs the user groups globally and the organizer of many marquee events such as the User Group Summit that I've attended every year since 2012. This year the organization has been under heavy criticism for actions like cancelling or drastically changing events at the last minute and refusing to provide full refund to attendees. In addition to the horrible customer service some users experienced, the company laid off about 90% of their employees, and is currently trying to shift gears in an effort to stay alive. Is COVID-19 to blame for what is happening at DCI? Join me as I discuss with former VP, Program Team and GM of CRMUG Tony Stein and former Director of Global Dynamics 365 Community and GM of AXUG Heather Williams, who share their perspective and details behind some of the decisions that ultimately led DCI to this point. Guests: Tony Stein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-stein/ Heather Williams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-williams-68b69111/

The Product Catalog in Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a polarizing piece of functionality. Some people love it and some people swear they'll never use it, some think it's too complicated and some think it's not complex enough, some companies rely on it where others avoid it at all costs, so I invited Microsoft MVP and Solution Architect Gustaf Westerlund to dive deep into the Product Catalog and share all of our lessons learned and best practices to those of you wondering how it all works and how it could benefit your business. Special Guest: Gustaf Westerlund: https://twitter.com/crmgustaf

How scary would it be to end up with a failed CRM Implementation that costs your company hundreds of millions of dollars? This is exactly what happened on Halloween of 1999 to Hershey. Let's talk about this failed implementation and what we can learn from it.

Dealing with data is one of the most challenging aspects of owning a CRM Solution. Whether you are using Dynamics 365 or Power Apps, I wanted to share a list of 10 things you can put in place to make sure your data quality is always high. I also share a 10-question data readiness quiz to see how healthy your organization is in terms of data quality and data management...listen in and see how your organization scores!

There are countless online articles titled something like "Here are the secrets *insert profession or industry here* don't want you to know", and it gave me the idea for this episode. Here are ten secrets you probably didn't know about us, the Microsoft MVPs.

In this episode, I cover 10 quick and easy improvements you can add to Dynamics 365. Some of these are simple settings that most people never enable, and some require special (but free) tools to enable them but all of them are super simple and can make a HUGE difference for your users' experience.

There are things we learn from others, and things we learn on our own by making mistakes or missing opportunities and learning from them. Amey Holden is a Microsoft MVP and she is sharing the 10 things she wishes she knew early in her Business Application career. Hopefully you can learn something in this episode that you won't have to learn the hard way in the future. Follow Amey: https://twitter.com/AmeyHolden Links: Pimp my LinkedIn Profile: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUbrBBiv8mBqfklikU7wbYg Ask the Experts LIVE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUgbvXSAJLQ

Dynamics 365 Sales Insights enables organizations to bring together the art and science of selling. Engage buyers like never before with seller intuition and AI working in concert. Lisa Crosbie is back hosting the show and she dives deep into Sales Insights, its features and capabilities, and her Top 10 features! More info: https://dynamics.microsoft.com/en-us/ai/sales-insights/

Implementing Dynamics 365 can be tricky, there can be so many moving parts, but some of the things that you do on every Dynamics 365 Implementation must be done at the right time to maximize value. If you do something too early you may have to deal with it for the duration of the projects, constantly struggling to keep it up to date, but if you do something too late you might delay a project because you didn't start soon enough! Here are my Top 10 things most people get WRONG in terms of timing when implementing Dynamics 365, and why it is so important to get it right.

July was full of surprises, starting with a positive COVID-19 test on July 3rd, my battle against a virus that took me to the hospital twice and almost killed me, plus I talk about Dataflex announced at Microsoft Inspire, and a new free tool available to the Dynamics 365 and Power Apps community, Power Text! Link to Podcast episode I mentioned on the show: http://divetalkmedia.com/episode-15-this-is-why-we-havent-posted-for-a-month

This is episode is hosted by Lisa Crosbie, a new Microsoft MVP for 2020 who wanted to share her perspective regarding the "MVP Process" and add some best practices for aspiring MVPs. Follow Lisa: https://twitter.com/LisaMCrosbie  

In this episode we discuss the alarming signs of low user adoption and discuss how we can handle them. The article reviewed in this episode: https://academy.whatfix.com/alarming-signs-crm-is-underutilized-and-how-to-deal-with-it/

When it comes to becoming or being a Dynamics 365 Consultant, and more specifically a Functional Consultant, there are a few things you should know. So, I put a list together of 10 things a Functional Consultant should know, and if they know these things they can get a job as a Functional Consultant pretty much anywhere! I hope this episode does two things: It helps current Functional Consultants identify potential gaps in their skillset and fill them. It helps aspiring Functional Consultants identify what they need to learn to get the opportunity they are striving for. Looking forward to hearing what you think of this list!

For our 3rd Anniversary episode, I wanted to talk about changes that I've seen over the last 3 years and share my thoughts around why some people should not become a Microsoft MVP. I also talk about Impostor Syndrome and what can you do to deal with it. Jonny Kim: https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/jonny-kim/biography

Depending on where you work as a Solution Architect you might be expected to be involved with a project from begining to end, or maybe just for bits and pieces during the project execution. Neil Benson, a Microsoft MVP and Agile Implementation expert invited me and Joel Lindstrom to discuss the role of a Solution Architect within the projects we normally implement. From small to large enterprise implementations, roles and responsibilities vary so we wanted to share what we've seen over the years. Is your company leveraging you as a Solution Architect the right way? It's time to find out! Hosts: Neil Benson: https://twitter.com/customery Gus Gonzalez: https://twitter.com/GusGonzalez2 Joel Lindstrom: https://twitter.com/JoelLindstrom

This is part two of my review of businessThink, a book that transformed my career as a Solution Architect. I thought I could review the book and give you a ton of examples and best practices within an hour or so, and by the time I stopped recording more than 3 hours had gone by. This episode is Part 2 of 2, and it focuses on the last 4 rules described in the book. These rules will make you a better Consultant and Solution Architect. Applying these rules in my Solution Architecture career took me to the next level, and they will also take yours. Get ready to take some notes! Buy the Book: businessThink: Rules for Getting It Right-Now, and No Matter What!: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471219932/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_d5KHEbW18FGYM

This is part one of my review of businessThink, a book that transformed my career as a Solution Architect. I thought I could review the book and give you a ton of examples and best practices within an hour or so, and by the time I stopped recording more than 3 hours had gone by. This episode is Part 1 of 2, and it focuses on the first 4 rules described in the book. These rules will make you a better Consultant and Solution Architect. Applying these rules in my Solution Architecture career took me to the next level, and they will also take yours. Get ready to take some notes! Buy the Book: businessThink: Rules for Getting It Right-Now, and No Matter What!: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471219932/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_d5KHEbW18FGYM

In this episode, 4 Microsoft MVPs walk through the Top 10 things they hate in our industry. We talk about things we hate to see other MVPs, Microsoft, Partners, ISVs, and even ourselves doing! No one is safe. Guests: Daryl LaBar: https://twitter.com/ddlabar Joel Lindstrom: https://twitter.com/JoelLindstrom Gustaf Westerlund: https://twitter.com/crmgustaf

For this episode, I wanted to focus on the common mistakes new professionals - specially consultants - make when they get started in their new role. This list comes from mistakes I made personally, and mistakes I've seen former colleagues and people in the industry make. How many of these mistakes have you made in the past?

Jocko Willink, a former US Navy SEAL Commander has a motto: "Discipline Equals Freedom", and if we apply this motto to Dynamics 365 we can see a connection between the discipline to maintain a successful Dynamics 365 Solution equals to a ton of freedom when it comes to being constantly "putting out fires" within the system. Even the most successful Dynamics 365 implementations can die if the team supporting the solution becomes complacent and undisciplined. These are my TOP 10 situations where COMPLACENCY can KILL your Dynamics 365 solution.

On this episode, 3 Portal MVPs from Canada share the Top 12 improvements they would introduce to Power Apps portals if they were the Program Managers in charge at Microsoft. Sorrey! Hosts: Nick Doelman: https://twitter.com/readyxrm Nick Hayduk: https://twitter.com/Engineered_Code Colin Vermander: https://twitter.com/koolin_ Refresh the Cache: https://portal.libsyn.com/

What would happen if we tasked a veteran salesperson and world-class Dynamics 365 and Power Platform implementer with overhauling the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales App? Well, 12x Microsoft MVP Joel Lindstrom shares his vision for what the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales App should look like. Hosted by: Joel Lindstrom: https://twitter.com/JoelLindstrom

On the last episode of the podcast I explored the 10 things I would introduce or change if I suddenly became the Program Manager for Dynamics 365 and CDS security at Microsoft. Now two of the world's greatest Dynamics 365 developers share what they would do if they suddenly became Program Managers for the Dynamics 365 Platform. Hosted By: Daryl LaBar: https://twitter.com/ddlabar Jonas Rapp: https://twitter.com/rappen

A new year represents new beginnings for a lot of people and that got me thinking on what I would do if I was beginning my tenure as the newly appointed PM of Dynamics 365 and CDS security at Microsoft? Well, I had a few things in mind, and I wanted to share them with you and Microsoft. These are the first 10 things I would do if I was a PM of Security at Microsoft.

For the last episode of 2019 I decided to compile a list of 12 New Year's Resolutions for 2020. This list will include things that are challenging for some, and some that might be too easy, but every listener should be able to select at least 1 option from this list and make it a goal for the year. Get ready to take some notes and decide whether you will pick 1 or more options from this list as your New Year's Resolution(s) or will you take on the Ultimate CRM MVP Challenge and complete all 12 resolutions within the next 12 months! Link shared on Resolution #3: experience.dynamics.com/insider/

Since every item in our list to Santa these holidays are all improvements to Microsoft Dynamics 365 we figured it would make more sense to just ask Microsoft Directly. So I invited fellow CRM MVPs Chris, Gustaf, and Nick to jump on a mic and share their list LIVE so you can hear our reactions and recommendations to each other and to Microsoft. Guests: Chris Cognetta: https://twitter.com/ccognetta Gustaf Westerlund: https://twitter.com/crmgustaf Nicholas Hayduk: https://twitter.com/Engineered_Code

Microsoft MVPs Antti and Kyle share their best practices and expertise regarding Microsoft Azure capabilities and features that every Solution Architect and Functional Consultant should know. They also talk about their favorite Azure features to enhance Dynamics 365 and what to look forward to in the future. Hosted by: Antti Pajunen: https://twitter.com/anttipajunen Kyle Hill: https://twitter.com/KyloHill More info: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/customerengagement/on-premises/developer/azure-integration

Microsoft announced some new limitations being placed on API calls and Portal visits/logins, so I invited two CRM MVPs to discuss these changes and whether organizations are on a collision course with skyrocketing licensing costs or whether they should celebrate these changes. My guests: Gustaf Westerlund: https://twitter.com/crmgustaf Nicholas Hayduk: https://twitter.com/Engineered_Code   Links: Microsoft Announcement: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/admin/api-request-limits-allocations Gustaf's Blog Article on this subject: https://powerplatform.se/api-per-user-limits-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/

This is a dual-podcast episode release on XrmToolCast and the CRM MVP Podcast. In this episode, Microsoft MVPs Daryl and Jonas who are two of the world's best Dynamics 365 developers interview Matt Barbour, Principal Platform Architect for the Microsoft Power Platform. Topics discussed in this episode include: PowerApps Command Line Utility Visual Studio Dev Toolkit Data Configuration and Migration Tool CRM/CDS SDK changes that may break your logins .NET Core SDK Guests: Matt Barbour: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-barbour-02702b1/ Daryl LaBar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryllabar/ Jonas Rapp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rappen/

There are currently ONLY 90 CRM MVPs in the World, so the chances of you directly interacting with one or more of us is very small. This lack of access to Microsoft MVPs creates a sense of mystery or perhaps misunderstanding about what MVPs are, or even more importantly what they are not. This episode is all about the common misconceptions people have about MVPs. Some of the biggest hits include: "Do MVPs work for Microsoft?", "Do MVPs get free stuff?", "Do MVPs get to decide who becomes an MVP?", "Do all MVPs get paid to attend conferences?", "Can MVPs criticize Microsoft?" and many more. Tune in to this special and non-technical episode of the show.

I'm not a big fan of reviewing the latest and greatest technology, those episodes never age well; but I am a big fan of former 9x Microsoft MVP and current Microsoft Global Black Belt for Power Platform Scott Sewell. Before joining Microsoft, Scott implemented Dynamics 365/CRM for organizations around the country, so his take on new technology, solutions, and innovation originating from the Power Platform team is always grounded on real world application of these solutions. Get ready to take some notes and listen to this conversation with Scott where we tackle Artificial Intelligence (and the services currently available for Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform), Power BI, Flow, and the never-ending tangents we kept going into. Connect with Scott:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mscottsewell/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/scottsewell Titanic Customer Engagement: https://community.dynamics.com/365/b/webinars/posts/community-corner-scott-sewell-and-titanic-customer-engagement How to build a company where the best ideas win | Ray Dalio:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXbsVbFAczg Check out my interview with Scott on the CRM MVP Media YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/video/cNit8aXk0Po

On this episode, I tackle 15 different scenarios where today's consultants and solution architects are acting based on emotions or "feelings" rather than facts. The reality is that fact based consulting always performs better in the real world. Links: Managed vs. Unmanaged: http://crmmvppodcast.com/episode-38-managed-vs-unmanaged Setting up Security like an MVP: http://crmmvppodcast.com/episode-19-setting-up-your-security-architecture-like-a-crm-mvp Our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/c/CRMMVPMedia

Starting October 1st, 2019, Microsoft will be enforcing new licensing rules and offerings, and this new licensing model is completely new. Steve Mordue is back on the show to discuss the new licensing model. Whether you are implementing for a brand new Dynamics 365 customer, or you've been a customer for a while, this episode is a MUST LISTEN! Guest: Steve Mordue: www.stevemordue.com More info: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/admin/powerapps-flow-licensing-faq