Dynamics Hotdish

Begin your exploration of CRM and ERP integration with the first episode of our engaging 3-part series, offering invaluable insights for business leaders and analysts alike. Gain valuable insights into essential tools such as Dual-Write in Finance & Supply Chain and also the innovative Dataverse Connector. Tune in to learn the significance of CRM and ERP integration. Make sure to subscribe to notified of parts 2 and 3 of this series! Visit us at our website: https://dynamicshotdish.com/

This episode features special guest Dan Fine from the Ukrainian War Animals Relief Fund (UWARF) where we discuss how the Power Platform and Dynamics 365 has enabled their efforts. UWARF is a non-profit organization that partners with veterinarians, nonprofits, and animal shelters in Ukraine. They organize missions to the region and facilitate clinics to sterilize, vaccinate, and microchip dogs and cats. They also focus on reuniting, rehoming, and sheltering the abandoned animals.

CONTENT WARNING: Sensitive content about danger to animals and people during the war in Ukraine is discussed during this episode and may be harmful or triggering to some viewers.

Dynamics 365 first party apps (Sales, Customer Service, Field Service, etc.) offer robust functionality to optimize your business. In this episode we chat about what if you're a small business and you don't need ALL of that or what if your process is entirely different and it doesn't fit into one of those classic CRM functionality scenarios? Tune in to learn about the considerations when deciding between a Microsoft Dynamics 365 First Party App vs. building your own Power App!

The Power Platform has been gaining popularity by organizations around the world because of its "low-code" capabilities. This means that both developers and non-developers alike can leverage its capabilities to build automations and custom applications. Listen to this episode to learn about Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, Power Pages, and Power Virtual Agents (now known as Copilot Studio).

Curious about Microsoft Dynamics 365? This is a perfect episode for those new to Microsoft Dynamics 365 or exploring its potential. We unravel all the parts of D365, both CRM & ERP. And dive deep into its CRM functionalities: sales, marketing, project operations, field service, and customer service.

In this episode of Dynamics Hotdish, we welcome Heidi Neuhauser to discuss DynamicsCon Live 2024. Heidi, a Microsoft MVP and partner at Reenhanced, shares insights on the conference's agenda, emphasizing user adoption, Dynamics 365, and the Power Platform. The episode highlights the importance of diversity among speakers, advanced CRM topics, and cross-product sessions. Attendees are encouraged to engage in networking and explore diverse content. Tune in for invaluable tips for DynamicsCon Live and use promo code HOTDISHINVITE15 for a 15% registration discount. Register for DynamicsCon Live: https://live.dynamicscon.com/register2024/. Visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for show notes and more episodes.

We are THRILLED to have had the opportunity to talk with Neil Benson, Founder and CEO of Customery. Neil first reached out to us to tell us everything that we did wrong with our Azure DevOps (ADO) best practices, and we knew we had to have him on the podcast. All jokes aside, much like everything we do with technology, there are so many different ways to complete something - people have differing opinions on everything from how to build forms, when to use Power Automate, and how to run their Agile teams. Neil is an Agile expert and spends his time mentoring and coaching individuals and businesses on how to run Agile optimally for their organizations. Basically, he's an expert in the field and we wanted to hear his advice (and share it with you) on how to leverage ADO that may be a little different than what we're currently doing. Visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Lucas Diaz, Managing Partner at Ludia Consulting, and Will McLendon, Business Applications MVP, to explore the transformative initiative, Dynamics for Good. Lucas shares the journey and the passion behind this project, which aims to leverage Dynamics technology for the betterment of communities. He explains how Dynamics for Good is divided into two main branches: creating mission-critical applications to address specific problems, like those faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and working with partners such as Microsoft to drive change.

Lucas also highlights the significance of community involvement and the importance of organizations like TechFluent in providing upskilling opportunities and diversifying the use of Dynamics technology. He speaks candidly about his personal experiences growing up as a minority and the deep-rooted family history that inspires his work. Through his story, Lucas illustrates the impact of giving back to the community and the power of small ideas to initiate significant change. Join us for a heartfelt conversation that not only sheds light on the Dynamics for Good initiative but also emphasizes the importance of community contribution and overcoming imposter syndrome to make a real difference.

Visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for additional information and notes.

Have you heard of Artificial Intelligence (AI)?  What about Copilot?  (We joke because it has been EVERYWHERE in 2023!)

In this interview, we had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Eric Newell, Founder and CEO of Stoneridge Software.

WOW we've had a busy fall, and it's not over yet!  🍁🍂

All three of us had the opportunity to go to Dynamic Communities Summit and it did NOT disappoint.  There were so many incredible sessions spread throughout each day that we had a hard time deciding where to go.  The community of people that Summit brings together each year is second to none, and we had the pleasure of interacting with SO MANY of these wonderful humans in Charlotte.  

Ashley and Ali each had TWO sessions where they shared their knowledge with the community. Topics included Team Collaboration, Project Operations, Tips for People New to CRM, and XrmToolBox.

Liz had the amazing opportunity to speak during the opening Keynote about TechFluent - she's such a natural 🤩

All of us spent the week buzzing around networking, mentoring, speaking, collaborating, learning, eating, celebrating.... and then finally got to spend our weekends sleeping and recharging😴💤

We're recapping our experiences at Summit in this episode and encourage you to go next year if you missed it this year! If you were there, tell us what your favorite part was in the comments ⬇️

Welcome to the first ever Dynamics Hotdish Top 10 episode!  We've never done a "Top #" anything before and are enthused to bring one to you this week.  When we started deciding on what to cover in this episode, we thought that sharing 10 Tips for CRM Administrators (Admins) would be a good place to start.  In typical fashion, we couldn't limit ourselves to just 10!  There are tips layered upon tips in this episode so we're not really sure what the final count is 🤷‍♀️What we can guarantee is that you'll learn even more special skills on how to be a superb system admin!  If you know us well by now, you'll know that the primary reason for us hosting this podcast is to share knowledge with the community, which is why we get energized when we start talking about tips and find it hard to limit on what we want to share!

Anyway, take a listen to this episode for some fabulous tips on how to be a fabulous CRM Admin. 

Visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information.

Microsoft Power Platform Conference was a whirlwind of a week! We got to connect with familiar faces and meet new friends, all with a common interest: the Power Platform. 

We came back incredibly energized and tired after balancing fun with learning in the bright city of Las Vegas. From the very first keynote of the week (Charles Lamanna), there was an intense, excited energy in the air that would carry through the entirety of the conference. 

Ashley and Ali share their experiences at the conference in this special bonus episode. There have been many other recaps of the content and announcements posted by our colleagues and friends in the community, so we’re focusing on what hit us the most. You’ll hear about our stand-out moments, favorite sessions, and even some ideas to make it better in the future. 

What was your favorite moment from MPPC? If you didn’t make it this year, will you make it happen next year?! 

Troubleshooting technology problems is a skill that takes time to develop.  Once you've worked with a particular platform long enough, you're often able to identify exactly where to start for an issue that's reported.  However, there are still new problems that arise and you have to put on your troubleshooting hat to figure out where to begin. The skills you develop with experience will propel you forward to troubleshoot these new issues much quicker.
In this episode, we outline five basic troubleshooting steps to help jumpstart your troubleshooting skills. As we outline each step, we'll provide examples of what can be done in each step and share resources that have helped us in the past.
This episode isn't only for admins, though!  We also share some tips for end users on how to clearly and concisely report issues to your CRM Team that will result in a quicker response or resolution to the issue you've uncovered.
Did we miss anything that you've found helpful in your experience?  Share it with us in the comments! Check out https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information and show notes.

Welcome to a very special bonus episode of Dynamics Hotdish! We've hit a milestone - 100 episodes! 🎉 Join us as we take a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about our journey from episode one to now. We'll dive deep into some of our all-time favorite episodes, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, the laughs, the challenges, and the moments that made us go "Aha!"

Whether you've been with us since the beginning or you're a recent listener, this episode promises a delightful mix of nostalgia, insights, and a fresh perspective on the world of Dynamics. It's not just a celebration of our 100 episodes, but a celebration of you, our listeners, who've made this journey so rewarding.

Tune in, and let's relive the magic of Dynamics Hotdish together! 🎙️🎊

Check out https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information.

In this episode, we discuss a topic that's debated often within organizations that use a CRM platform. Should your CRM admin sit on a team within in the IT department or within "the business"? This is often up for debate because business teams are the people heavily using the CRM system and making requests that an admin must complete. We've said this before, but your business users and your Admin need to be BFF's! Further, CRM tool are a software that require maintenance like other platforms managed by the IT department.
There are benefits of having your admin sit on either team, and we'll share our opinions on the nuances throughout this episode.
Let us know your thoughts after you listen!  Does your CRM admin sit on an IT team or within the business? Visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information and show notes!

The first episode in a series for CRM Admins and people who work with CRM Admins (which is probably most of our listeners)!
A CRM Admin is someone who is required to wear many hats, understand the technology behind your CRM tool to help customize it, and translate requirements from business users to make the tool do what they need. In this episode, we discuss in more detail what a CRM Admin does and why that role is incredibly crucial for managing your CRM tool. Ashley shares from her extensive experience as an admin to give us tips about what she's learned along the way.
This episode will lay the foundation for the next episodes to come, where we'll dive deeper into topics around administrating your CRM platform.
Come back in two weeks for the next episode in the series where we'll discuss what team your CRM admin should reside on. Visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information and show notes.

Discover the highlights of the Power Platform Conference in this episode of Dynamics Hotdish, guest Heather Cook, Principal Manager at Microsoft, delve into the event's cutting-edge content. Heather sheds light on keynotes featuring Charles and other industry leaders, emphasizing the integration of Power Platform apps within Teams and the co-pilot functionalities spanning Microsoft 365. She elaborates on the growing role of AI and generative AI in the low-code landscape, enabling users to create sophisticated applications with ease. Heather unveils the engaging interaction between attendees and product teams, with sessions, focus groups, and roundtable discussions offering deep insights and technical skill-building opportunities. The episode also hints at exciting announcements on AI advancements, encouraging listeners to watch Microsoft's blogs for updates. With over a hundred sessions, workshops, and a plethora of expert speakers, this episode offers an immersive exploration of Power Platform's future. Visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information and show notes.

This is the third episode in our series on Azure DevOps (ADO) and we’re diving deep into one of the most challenging topics: how do you get your team to use it?

We share ideas on how to get your teams to buy into ADO and how it benefits your team on using it effectively on projects. It can be hard to convince people to “do extra work” by logging hours on tasks or closing work items as they’re completed. If you explain WHY they’re being asked to do these things or shown the reports that are used to see project status, you can begin to get more buy in from your teams.

We also share some best practices that we’ve learned from working with ADO! We had so many ideas to share that we almost ran out of time again 😫

If you’ve uncovered best practices while working with ADO, please drop a comment below to share with others!

Visit https://dynamicshotdish.com for additional information.

In the second episode of our series on Azure DevOps (ADO), we discuss the importance of determining a sprint cadence for your project or product and how that sprint cadence can be used within ADO. Sprints are a great way to determine how much time you have to get work items complete. You’ll learn a lot about your team and how to structure sprints by monitoring burn down rates and how many story points you finish in a sprint. 🏃🏽‍♂️🏃‍♀️

We dive into using sprint views and configurations within ADO, and how you might use backlogs and board views instead. 🗓️

If you want to learn more about managing your products or projects within ADO while working within sprints, this episode is for you!

Come back again next week for another episode on ADO that covers everyone’s favorite topic, ADOPTION. How do you get your team to use ADO effectively? 🤔Come back to find out! 😉

Visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information.

Azure DevOps (ADO) is the ultimate tool to help you stay organized on projects or for the lifecycle of product management. We LOVE using ADO because it gives your whole team insights into what’s happening on projects, what’s coming next, and overall helps everyone stay organized.

In the first part of our series on ADO, you’ll learn about some commonly used Work Items and how to navigate through the tool. (And some under-utilized work items that help you keep track of decisions or project changes!)

We’d love to hear how you use ADO! Leave a note in the comments.

Visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information.

It’s hard to believe the inaugural Microsoft Power Platform Conference was just last year! It began with a BANG where industry professionals flocked to Florida to learn all about the capabilities of the Power Platform. It’s time to start thinking about Power Platform Conference again this year since it’s coming up quick in Las Vegas.

Asif Rehmani joins us this week to give some insider info and tips about the conference, including what sessions you can expect to find at the conference and who should (and should not) attend.

Register for the Power Platform Conference using the Hotdish code for a special discount. Visit our website for more information: https://www.dynamicshotdish.com.

Aaron Back, Chief Content Officer from Dynamic Communities, joins us to tell us about what we can expect from Summit North America. Summit will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina October 15-20 and has a lot of fun and exciting new stuff this year! Everything from a NASCAR simulator, to local NC moonshine, and a new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) showcase has us buzzing with excitement over this event. Tune in to hear about how sessions are selected, the types of sessions you can expect (including their all new AI-focused event on Monday), and much more!

Register for Community Summit using "SummitHotdish" for an additional discount. Register here: https://www.summitna.com.

Visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for additional information.

In this episode, we explore the future of the Power Platform, AI, and low code development. Our special guest, Julia Kasper, a Program Manager at Microsoft, joins us as we uncover the most recent advancements and what’s on the horizon. Julia shares her insights and perspectives, highlighting the importance of embracing a growth mindset and fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation within Microsoft.

During our discussion, we explore the concept of the Modern Workplace and its seamless integration with E5 licenses. We specifically focus on the transformation of collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and Office, shedding light on how they have evolved to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of hybrid work environments.

We highlight the key takeaways from the MS Build Keynote, which introduced the era of AI Coplit. We delve into the impact of AI on APIs and software development, emphasizing the importance of an API-centric approach for effective data utilization. We also chat about the exciting presentations of the Imagine Cup Championship.

In addition, we explore the Power Apps Developer Plan and provide insights on how to pursue a career in technology. We cover essential topics such as getting started with learning the Power Platform, Microsoft's company culture, internship program, and career opportunities in the tech industry.

Whether you're a newcomer or aiming to enhance your skills, we share valuable information to help you successfully enter and thrive in the tech field. Tune in to gain insights into the future of the Power Platform & AI!

Visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information.

In this first of two episodes recorded at the Microsoft Build conference in Seattle, Liz interviews Bob Serr, VP of Azure Communication Services at Microsoft. They delve into the world of Azure Communication Services (ACS), discussing its real-time communication features like voice calling, video calling, SMS messaging, and chat functionality. The episode also unveils exciting new AI announcements tied to ACS. Listen in to discover how businesses can leverage ACS to enhance customer satisfaction by creating tailored communication solutions for global users. Visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information.

Wrapping up our three-part mini series on the user-focused side of technology transformation, this week we talk about Change Management. We're focusing on the people side of change and how you (or your organization) can guide their team through a technology or process change. Training ties in closely to change management and helps ensure your teams know how to do their jobs following the change. Change Management takes training further by identifying issues that may arise due to the change (such as detractors or people with negative attitudes about the change) and gives you tools to overcome these obstacles and make sure everyone impacted by the change is prepared. Visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information.

We have a secret for you. You can build the best possible tool for your end users, but they won’t know how to effectively use it without adequate training. Technology tools need to be intuitive, but training on these tools still needs to be comprehensive enough so your users know where to go as soon as they access the tool for the first time. In our last episode, we hinted (ahem, declared) that UAT is not training, and in this episode we discuss what training means and how to empower your end users with effective training. Spoiler alert - this is another topic that we’re all very passionate about!

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) can be ran in many different ways - from small single feature tests, to gigantic enterprise platform releases. We discuss how there are many different views on how to plan and execute successful UAT sessions, and highlight important aspects regardless of your project size. There’s so much more to UAT than just identifying bugs vs. features, though sometimes that can be the most difficult part! Visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information!

DynamicsCon Live is coming up on May 22-25 in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona! Whether you're a conference veteran or a conference newbie, DynamicsCon is a great choice to learn all about Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. Going into its third year, the Dynamics User Group (DUG) has made some changes that will make this the best year yet. Join us this week as we discuss what you can expect at this event with Kylie Kiser and Chad Althaus. Visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information.

Join us as we discuss all things Omnichannel for Customer Service! There are many new and exciting things in Omnichannel and we're delighted to discuss all the capabilities with you. Omnichannel in Dynamics 365 is truly amplifying the way businesses interact with customers by bringing all the different ways customers can reach out to a business into a single work area. In this episode, we take a deep look into Omnichannel capabilities. Spoiler alert - there are so many capabilities, there's likely a part 2 coming soon!

We have some exciting news to share this week!  A familiar voice and a new voice are joining the permanent crew of the podcast. Meet Ali, who is a Functional Consultant at Stoneridge Software and actually likes going to the dentist.  Liz is back and is thrilled to be talking about a topic that's been all over the media recently: ChatGPT. Join us as we discuss what ChatGPT is and how generative AI is the future, though it has some road bumps to overcome. What are your thoughts on the future of AI in the workplace and its place in the world?  Share with us in the comments!

 For more information, visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com.

For this week's episode, we cover a few news-worthy items, including some notes on the upcoming Wave 1 release, the events we're looking forward to in 2023, and an announcement. For more information, visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com.

This week we talk about how Customer Service has improved over time and some of the coolest features available today. We go down a short rabbit hole on Power Virtual Agent but it ties back up into the omnichannel capabilities Microsoft has built out over the years. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments! Visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information.

This week we talk about a Dynamics 365 module we haven't spent much time on in the past - Project Operations! Ashley's been working with it recently so we discuss some cool features, potential limitations, and why you need a lot of data setup to make it work.  Leave your thoughts or experiences in the comments! Visit https://dynamicshotdish.com for more information.

This week's episode kicks off 2023 with an extension of our user adoption and training content with Marquis Caldwell from ClickLearn. We discuss user learning styles, how different types of learning materials and content supports these different styles, and where ClickLearn can help.  We also just generally have a great conversation with Marquis! For more information, visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com.

This week we jump into the Dynamics 365 Marketing module to talk at a high level about the capabilities Marketing brings to the table. We focus specifically on the outbound features and customer journeys, which allow organizations to set up automated marketing plans that customers progress through by time or action. If you're using Marketing, let us know your experiences! For more information, visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com.

A frequent question from companies implementing a software system is "how do we manage this thing after go-live?" This week, we share our perspectives on how best to administer and maintain your Dynamics system after the consulting team walks away, leaning heavily on Ashley's experiences as an administrator. If you've found anything that works well for you, please share a comment! For more information, visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com.

At the conferences this fall it seemed like AI Builder is all the rage, so we thought we might cover an introduction for this episode. We discuss what it is and isn't, how it fits into the overall Azure Cognitive Services picture, and consider use cases where it could add business value. If you're using AI Builder in your organization, tell us how you're using it! (And yes, our episode image was AI generated.) For more information, visit www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information.

User adoption is always a hot topic, and this week we have a guest speaker who is passionate about user adoption, and has been advocating for its importance for years. Asif Rehmani is the CEO of VisualSP, a tool built to help drive user adoption in web-based apps like SharePoint and Dynamics 365, and we get his perspective and expertise this week for the Hotdish! Visit www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information.

In this week's episode, we dive into one of Ashley's passion areas - business process flows! While Microsoft (and partners) sell BPFs heavily during demos, it seems that users don't often find much value in using them. We discuss why that might be and consider best practices to make BPFs more useful (and used). Visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information.

We've talked about canvas vs model-driven apps in the past, but we admit that we generally try to solution in model-driven apps because it's our comfort zone. This week, we discuss some areas where model-driven isn't the right answer, or simply won't work, and expand on how canvas apps can help. Have a scenario you're trying to find the right solution for? Leave us a comment! Visit https://www.dynamicshotdish.com for more information and show notes.

For our first episode under our new format, Ashley and Merlin wanted to discuss a few exciting Wave 2 updates coming for the Power Platform and Dynamics 365 as a way to ease back into the Hotdish. We also go through an important draft (listen/watch to learn more). Feel free to comment your own exciting Wave 2 feature!

We kick off our return from summer vacation with an interview, hosting Liz Hallen from Dynamics User Group (DUG) to discuss DynamicsCon Live (happening next week!) and all other things DUG-related. Thanks for tuning back in!

This week we dig into the different ways you can bring data into Dataverse/Dynamics 365, from the out-of-the-box tools to various external solution, and evaluate the pros and cons of each.

Part 2 of our dive into Dataverse security continues this week with more tips and best practices. This week we expand beyond the "basic" security components to discuss extended features like column security, and form security. We also ponder some use cases - leave a comment if you have an example!

This week we got back to the basics and dug into security within Dataverse and Dynamics 365. We go through some history, discuss best practices, and some things to consider when setting up your security. We had so much to discuss that we have a part 2 coming up next week!

Somewhat late to the party, but the fourth episode of our diversity series this week is a conversation about how those of us in positions of privilege can be effective allies to those who are in marginalized positions or populations.  We even forgive Allie for working with Salesforce (*gasp*) because we appreciated her message and the way she helped define allyship.

This week we decided to pick up one of those ongoing topics that never really end or get the perfect answers - data quality.  Anyone with any sort of database (or even a spreadsheet!) has run into issues keeping data clean and organized, and a CRM system is certainly no different.  We cover a few tips that we've learned over time, a couple of tools that might help, and generally discuss how we approach data quality solutions.

On the podcast this week, we have the pleasure of talking to Matt Beard, a Microsoft MVP based in the UK, who is also on the organizing team for Scottish Summit. We discuss some of the details of Scottish Summit, including some aspects that make it a unique conference, and general fun conversation. Listen in to learn more! Visit www.dynamicshotdish for more information.