This week we are hop from Finland to Germany to celebrate Bayern Munich being thrashed in the Champions League (that’s proper football american readers, where the ball is round and not egg shaped) and the Hosk questions Carsten Groth
If you want to know what Carsten Groth looks like here is a picture
oh a man of mystery hey, lets try again. ahh there he is, I would recognize that eye anywhere.
I looked at the MVP biography, it’s fairly standard stuff
but of interest it has his recent activity and we can see Carsten has been doing quite a bit of speaking, MVP’s love speaking, they often do this in front of crowds of eager CRM users but if you monitor a CRM MVP in the wild you will often find them talking about CRM to themselves
| Date | Activity | Type | |
| 4/28/2014 | Big year 8 releases and 8 questions to MVPs | Articles | |
| 3/23/2014 | MVP talks about BPF in CRM 2013 | Speaking (User group) | |
| 3/22/2014 | Curah! Microsoft CRM Customer Care | Blog Site Posts | |
| 3/4/2014 | Convergence Atlanta | Conference (booth presenter) | |
| 2/11/2014 | Ask the MVP Experts | Speaking (Conference) | |
| 2/10/2014 | BPF Do´s and Don´ts | Speaking (Conference) | |
| 2/3/2014 | BPFHelper Library for CRM 2013 | Code Project/Tools |
below is the Rockstar 365 highlights
If you want to read previous CRM MVP Q&A by clicking the link on the header – HOSK’S CRM MVP Q&A
Thanks for Carsten for answering Hosk’s questions and if you do come into virtual contact with Donna Edwards, Scott Durow or Jamie Miley please feel free to remind them they haven’t answered the questions yet and we want to know how they would answer
QUESTIONS
Name, current job title and social media links please
Carsten Groth, Technical Product Manager at FLS GmbH, Germany
http://carstengroth.wordpress.com
@Carsten_mscrm
http://www.linkedin.com/in/carstengroth
http://rockstar365.com/carstengroth
What different roles/Job titles have you had whilst using CRM
Starting as a Consultant I worked for different Silver and Gold Microsoft Dynamics CRM Implementation Partners in northern Germany specialized in multiple industries. I was engaged in Enterprise Deployment projects, before finally I switch sides and went over as a Technical Product Manager at FLS GmbH an ISV specialized on Field Service- and Workforce Management.
What was the first version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM you worked with and how long have you been using Microsoft Dynamics CRM
I was actually starting using CRM in version 1.0 which probably most of the users didn´t ever see. I´ve been working with CRM since then. So I´m a long time fellow…
How do you stay up to date with the CRM
I do have a single dashboard actually build inside my own Microsoft Dynamics CRM system which helps me aggregating multiple informations and keep up to date with all the news and ongoings inside CRM systems. The other part is basically a mixture between joining different events and participating in a great community in which we share our knowledge.
How do you find time to contribute to the CRM community whilst doing your job
This, of course is the most challenging, right? But I’m not gonna share my secret I manage this…
What advice would you give to someone who wants to have a successful career in Microsoft Dynamics CRM?
Actually, starting a career with MSDynCRM is pretty easy. First of all keep an eye on the different MS Academic Alliance proposals you have. This could be your first moment dealing with MSDynCRM. It then depends on the different roles you might want to start your career in, but it is for sure best practice if you´re following a goal. Think of “Where do I want to find me in 5 years?” – Don´t think this won´t change. In fact – you might find up yourself in a total different role in 10 or more years you never thought about.
What where your first impressions of CRM 2013 and what do you think now.
I do think it was something around… Sorry I don´t remember, cause I do work for a long time with CRM2013 right now. But I can share a personal story as we´re still dealing with multiple 2011 organizations as ISV solution. And if you ever return to that UI you will notice how much better the new UI and form extensions are – promise.
What one feature would you add to CRM 2013
I already added this one – a much more flexible and precisely scheduling engine. So check out our ISV solution FLS VISITOUR.
Most annoying feature of CRM 2013
There isn´t one I´m aware of
You favourite 2 CRM blogs (I have filled the first one in for you)
1. Hosks Dynamic CRM blog
2. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Tips & Tricks (carstengroth.wordpress.com)
Even though I´m writing in native german language – you can actually take translation engine of your choice to translate it and I promise content will make sense and bring value to you…
What year will Microsoft Dynamics CRM have more customers than Sales force
Sorry but I´m going for quality not quantity. So actually having customers loving their CRM system is more important than dealing with a couple of seats that might be sold, but actually those are not using their CRM.
Are you doing more CRM projects with CRM online? Do you think it will all be online in the future
Because of working together with multiple Implementation Partners across EMEA I would bet that the amount of online organizations compared to OnPrem might have switched. If you do think from developer perspective being online is not that bad, cause you do not have to deal with different technology issues you might run into. Unless there´s a way to make it available “offline” as well.
What is the best tool/solution you have used recently
There´re multiple “best” tools I´m using as an ISV/MVP – so I cannot highlight one only. But if you´re up for tools, visit codeplex.com and you´ll find multiple tools MVPs are sharing with the community and we love to get feedback from you to improve…
What CRM certifications do you have, do you try and keep up to date with CRM certifications
I do have all CRM possible pre-sales/consultant 2011 certifications and will take the personal challenge to take all 2013 certifications as well. 3/4 are actually done the moment I´m answering this.
How important is it to have good business analytical skills working with Microsoft Dynamics CRM.
That depends on the job role you´re working in. I won´t say it is not important, but there´re a bunch of situations where you do not need BA skills.
How useful is it to have programming knowledge to become a good Microsoft Dynamics CRM Professional?
Again, this depends on the job role you´re seeking for. I do know a lot of customizers who actually don´t have programming skills, but do a really good job just by customizing the system with OOB features.
What knowledge/experience do you have with software/systems which integrate with Microsoft Dynamics CRM e.g. (sharepoint, SQL Server, Scribe, Etc)
I do know a lot of Integration software solutions around MSDynCRM. So where should I start?
How often do you travel as a Microsoft Dynamics CRM Professional?
Not gonna sharing this…
Can you see yourself not using CRM in your career in the future
…mmh… I don´t think so.
What is favourite part of being a CRM MVP
Getting in touch with a great community – YOU and sharing knowledge, pains, opinions – to improve, grow and making things easier
Who is the first CRM MVP you remember reading/seeing
Jürgen Beck
Tips for someone who wants to become a CRM MVP
Think of becoming an MVP is an honor. It is not something as collecting titles just as collecting “friends” inside your favourite social community. Start sharing knowledge and someone will recognize and honor this. Always “give first” to get something back.
Quickfire questions (choose one option and no explanation)
Steve Jobs or Bill Gates
Javascript or .NET
Internet Explorer/Chrome/Firefox/Safari
Wine/Beer/Soft Drink
Certifications or Use CRM
twerking or tweeting
books or ebooks
save or autosave
OnLine or On Premise
Windows 7/Windows 8/Linux/Mac/Other
work from home or work from office
Miley Cyrus or Billy Ray Cyrus
Vinyl/CD’s/MP3’s/Subscribe
Zero Inbox/Overflowing Inbox
Early Bird/Night Owl
Do Today/Do Tomorrow
CRM Developer/CRM Consultant
Hot Weather/Cold Weather
Half Full/Half Empty
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