I am going to talk about the CRM 2013 certification MB2-703 or otherwise known as Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 Customization and Configuration. One reason I am talking about the CRM 2013 configuration and customization certification is I have recently started a YouTube channel Hosk’s CRM Dev and although CRM Developers will be required to do a lot of coding they will also need to do a lot of customization’s using the standard GUI tools and functionality in CRM.
I myself am going to pass the certification and I am interested in learning the new CRM 2013 functionality so I thought I would create some YouTube video’s on the exam criteria and would like you all to join me on the journey of passing the CRM 2013 Configuration and Customization exam.
There are probably a bunch of people reading this blog going I would like to pass that certification but I’m too busy, I will get round to it at some point later in the year.
STOP RIGHT THERE BUDDY
stop procrastinating and do it, give yourself a two month deadline and study and pass that certification and what’s more I’m going to help you do it, The Hosk will be cheering you on.
If you are still not on board let me tell you why you are going to do it (if you haven’t already), you have a choice you can see and hear me
or you can read why you should
1. Money
People who have certifications get paid more.
“43 percent of survey respondents report salary increases as a result of Microsoft Certification.”
– Redmond magazine’s 2006 survey of compensation for Microsoft IT professionals
A certification is something you can take into your next pay review to help persuade your bosses to give you more cash. The way I see it if you have a certification and your colleagues don’t, if over the year you have both done a good job then that certification is going to be something extra you have, not only do you have a certification but you also have all the knowledge to go with it.
2. Learn the new features in CRM 2013
The certifications always have sections on the new features, so this is a great way to learn the new CRM 2013 features and get certified at the same time. In fact it will give you focus and motivate you to get the learning done. The other benefit will be you will brush up on some of the other parts of system you might not use.
3. Broad range of knowledge
I have taken the CRM 4 and CRM 2011 Configuration and Customization certifications and I found them very useful in learning parts of the CRM that I wasn’t currently using in the projects I was working on. I learnt about Goals, Dashboards, reporting, security, solutions before I used them at work. In the CRM 2013 exam I will have to learn about Business Process Flows, Business Rules, Access teams, quick create forms. What I am trying to say is I will learn about the functionality before I have to use it in my job, so if it comes up I will already have an idea of what it does, how it works. A lot of being a good CRM Developer is knowing the correct tool to use at the correct time.
4. (some) People respect certifications
if you have 2 or 3 CRM certification then people in the workplace will start to see you as knowledgeable in CRM, their perception will change and this is particularly useful if you are starting out in your CRM career. Certifications don’t make you a better CRM Developer or Consultant but it does mean that you have a good knowledge of CRM because you have to do a fair bit of studying to get the certification.
5. Companies like Certifications
Companies like certifications because they need certified employees so they can get the Microsoft Gold or Silver partner status. Companies also like certified employees because it sounds great to tell perspective clients about are certified developer/consultant. If you have a certification you are more valuable to your company and they will often reward you for the time and effort it took to obtain the certification.
6. Success feels good
It feels good to pass a certification, it may only be a piece of paper and something to put on LinkedIn/Rockstar 365 cv but you have set out to pass a certification and by golly you did it. Once you get that certification no one can take it away
7. You are committed to becoming a great CRM developer/Consultant
Life hacker has a nice paragraph in this article Will certification help me get a better job
Ultimately, getting one or two certifications will prove you’re capable of learning and retaining knowledge (or at least passing a test) but several under your belt shows that you’re committed to a career path, well versed in it, and knowledgeable. As those certifications grow to require experience and dedication to earn, they’re exponentially more valuable and prove that you’re familiar with industry best practices, have worked in the field, and have retained your knowledge (especially if it’s a cert that has to be renewed or kept up to date). So even if you don’t think the low-level ones are useful, don’t shy away from them—at best they’re a slight differentiator, but at worst they’re a stepping stone to greater things
8. You know most of it already
Here is the headline skills measured, come on, you know at least half of that stuff already, you are half way there
- Create and Customize Solutions (10-15 percent)
- Customize Entities and Entity Relationships (10-15 percent)
- Customize Fields (10-15 percent)
- Manage Forms (10-15 percent)
- Manage Views (10-15 percent)
- Create and Customize Charts and Dashboards (10-15 percent)
- Manage Security (10-15 percent)
- Manage Business Processes and Rules (10-15 percent)
click here to read the skills needed in more details.
So after reading all that and knowing I am going to create some Video’s and information to help you (AND ME) study for the certification, what excuse can you (I will accept you already having passed the certification) have
I have written about the benefits of certifications before if you still aren’t quite persuaded.
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