It’s time for another CRM MVP question and answer session and today we have one of the few female CRM MVP’s and not only that but Julie is also married to a CRM MVP, rumours of the Yack children being MVP’s are yet to be confirmed.
There is a great introduction about Julie on her Dynamics Community profile, which I have taken a bit of below
Julie Yack is one of the founding partners of Colorado Technology Consultants, Inc. Julie has been named a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) for her efforts in the CRM professional community. She is a Microsoft CRM Certified Professional, Microsoft Small Business Specialist and a Certified Scrum Master. Julie has a Masters of Business Administration degree. Julie is the current President for The International .NET Association, North America. . Julie is a founder and leader of xRMVirtual (www.xrmvirtual.com) a fast growing online community for xRM developers.
Julie speaks at several events and conferences including Microsoft Convergence and Decisions. She has been involved in publishing several books, from Dynamics CRM to Excel.
Julie will be there at convergence and she recently wrote a blog post about getting ready for convergence which you can read below
I have also noticed there is a group on the Dynamic Community, so if you are going to convergence join up
https://community.dynamics.com/convergence/default.aspx
On with Julie’s questions and answers and thanks again for taking part. If you missed last weeks CRM MVP with Gus Gonzalez there is a link at the bottom after Julie’s answers.
1. Name, current job title and social media links please
Julie Yack, Chief Operations Officer (though we never use titles around here)
- Twitter URL:http://www.twitter.com/coloradojules
- Blog:http://www.julieyack.com/
- Website:http://www.coloradotc.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=122578
2. What does an average day at work look like
There is no average day and that’s part of what I love about my work. Some days I’m learning about a new client, some days I’m teaching or writing, some days I am working the business aspect of our business and some days I play hooky.
3. What different roles/Job titles have you had whilst using CRM
Since starting with CRM it’s been essentially evolutionary for responsibilities, but not job titles. As I learn more and more, I can offer more and more. However, things fall off too, like I would get lost in CRM 3 or 4, though at one point I was considered an expert in both.
4. What job did you did before you starting using CRM
Custom software development projects
5. What was the first version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM you worked with and how long have you been using Microsoft Dynamics CRM
CRM 3.0 and not quite 10 years
6. How do you stay up to date with the CRM
You just do. If it’s something that interests you, you just find a way.
7. How do you find time to contribute to the CRM community whilst doing your job
It’s not a struggle at all. I love love love our professional community. I love to watch the success of those around me and my community involvement allows that to happen.
9. What where your first impressions of CRM 2013 and what do you think now.
Cool, it’s shiny. New is good, details sort themselves out.
10. What one feature would you add to CRM 2013
Entity agnostic forms and processes
11. Most annoying feature of CRM 2013
Not enough control around autosave
14. Are you doing more CRM projects with CRM online? Do you think it will all be online in the future
CRMOnline for sure. And there will always be SOMEONE that just must have their stuff on their server in their closet or regulations specific to their industry, so no, not all in the cloud, ever. But, we’ve been in the cloud since the beginning of the internet, we just never told people they were.
15. What is the best tool/solution you have used recently
We’re doing some fun cool things here, but can’t share details yet. J
16. What CRM certifications do you have, do you try and keep up to date with CRM certifications
I have a few for CRM 3, 4 and 2011. As an MCT certifications are part of the job. I have mixed feelings on their value. Totally love the learning aspect, not sure I’m so concerned with a piece of paper.
17. How important is it to have good business analytical skills working with Microsoft Dynamics CRM.
It’s make or break important.
18. How useful is it to have programming knowledge to become a good Microsoft Dynamics CRM Professional?
There’s knowledge and there’s awareness. I have no interest in writing code. I could if I felt like it. I’m surrounded by really smart people that would be happy to mentor me. But, I know functionality, capabilities, architecture and so on, all the moving parts needed to make a good CRM.
20. How often do you travel as a Microsoft Dynamics CRM Professional?
Often. I am fortunate to be able to pick and choose most of my travel. Work has brought me to all the continents except Antarctica, and I am working on that one. Let me know if you have any ideas. J
21. Can you see yourself not using CRM in your career in the future
Sure, would be very short-sighted to assume that was all there was waiting for me in my future. And boring.
22. What is favourite part of being a CRM MVP
The family I acquired with the MVPs and the product team. I have interacted with many groups, CRM and otherwise. The CRM group simply feels different, more close knit, than the others.
23. What are your hobbies outside of CRM
Travel, reading, photography
24. What was the last book you read and what was the last film you watched
Sycamore Row by John Grisham and Lone Survivor
25. Has CRM ever got you in trouble with your partner/family.
No, I’m in business with my husband, and my kids each worked here in some capacity as their high school jobs.
26. Have you friends ever told you to stop talking/tweeting/blogging about CRM? What does your partner/family member(s) think of CRM
See above.
27. Tell me something interesting/unusual about yourself
Last fall, as a reward for raising kids to adulthood, we traveled (literally) around the world, by cashing in miles.
28. Who is the first CRM MVP you remember reading/seeing
I don’t know. My husband was an MVP for 5 years before my first award, they’ve just always been there.
29. Tips for someone who wants to become a CRM MVP
Get a mentor.
Quickfire questions (choose one option and no explanation)
Steve Jobs or Bill Gates Bill Gates
Javascript or .NET meh
Internet Explorer/Chrome/Firefox/Safari IE
Wine/Beer/Soft Drink wine
Certifications or Use CRM use CRM
twerking or tweeting tweeting
books or ebooks ebooks
save or autosave yes
OnLine or On Premise online
Windows 7/Windows 8/Linux/Mac/Other windows 8.1
work from home or work from office office
Miley Cyrus or Billy Ray Cyrus deafness
Vinyl/CD’s/MP3’s/Subscribe subscribe
Zero Inbox/Overflowing Inbox zero
Early Bird/Night Owl no
Do Today/Do Tomorrow today
CRM Developer/CRM Consultant consultant
Hot Weather/Cold Weather hot weather
Half Full/Half Empty full
Previous CRM MVP Q&A
https://crmbusiness.wordpress.com/2014/02/14/crm-mvp-question-and-answer-gus-gonzalez/
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