How to Become a High-Value Microsoft Dynamics Pro: 5 ways the job market demands more

Microsoft Dynamics professionals come in all shapes and sizes, but to be successful - whether working for a customer, a partner, or as an independent consultant - they need more than technical know-how. Pros who can integrate the right set of business skills with their Dynamics product knowledge succeed by adding a level of value beyond their product knowledge, experts say. These people are in demand because they help companies boost their performance, not just deploy business solutions.

What follows are tips from those who help place, hire, and work with Dynamics ERP and CRM professionals. They say there are some specific ways that people can keep themselves in demand and in the good graces of their clients or employers.

Be a people person, but not Mister Nice Guy

Although there are many good technical Dynamics pros out there, the really good ones are able to interact with people in a really meaningful way, says Steve Sydee, COO at 365 Freelance.

"You can be a good technical guy but you also need personal skills," he said. "Where that comes out is if you have the ability to understand what people are asking and then consult and advise them in a whole range of different ways. Then apply your technical skills to make it happen. That will make you a lot more valuable."

It all comes down to being able to ask the right questions, understand and not be afraid to say no, he said.

"That's absolutely crucial," Sydee said. "A lot of people we see essentially just build what they're asked to build whether it's a great idea or potentially a really stupid idea. So you've got to challenge things. ...