In the Microsoft Dynamics community, there can be a stereotype that contractors are “mercenaries” due to misconceptions that they are an expensive necessary evil who simply look to milk an end customer. In reality, the best contractors rely purely on reputation and place more importance on integrity than end users typically give them credit for. They cannot afford to burn bridges due to the niche nature of the market across which they operate, so this stereotype needs to be turned on its head. Here we show why contractors can in fact be critical to the successful delivery of an end-user’s Microsoft Dynamics project:
1) They’re veterans in their field
Contractors allow the end user to have a solution expert in-house for Microsoft Dynamics. If any problems arise they are the “go-to” individual to quickly resolve problems. This provides a healthy challenge as to whether the solution is the best fit for the business’s long term plans. Having that point of expertise is re-assuring to the team as they have been there and done it. With such a requisite level of foresight and an ability to know when and where things are likely to go wrong (as they inevitably do) this can prove valuable for plans across each particular phase of a Microsoft Dynamics implementation.
2) They smooth the knowledge gaps between an End User and Partner
By using contractors, it is easier to question the decisions of partners to ensure an effective relationship; contractors often come from the partner channel and therefore provide useful insights about working practices and commercial pressures. Good, experienced contractors can independently advise on the best course of action across a programme saving time and money. This is not to undermine the role of the partner, but simply to question, from an end user perspective, why certain decisions are being made, working almost like a neutral arbiter and advisor to the end client.
3) They can teach their permanent colleagues a thing or two
On Greenfield projects there will be a serious lack of skills in-house and awareness as to how the implementation will progress. Good contractors can assist in the creation of the project road map and bring previous experience of how things were done on successful previous programmes. This knowledge rubs off on permanent resources working with them such as in-house .Net Developers or Functional BAs. These permanent resources who have worked with an end user for a number of years will reap huge rewards from working with experienced contractors by broadening their knowledge. The end user itself is also likely to gain, as they will end up with a better skilled workforce that will be able to utilise this knowledge if the decision is taken further down the line to do an upgrade or re-implementation of a later version of the Microsoft Dynamics solution.
4) They can help you market your business
Within a niche skills market, contractors will always be incentivized to perform to the best of their ability because reputation within such a shallow market means everything. Having reputable consultants with a history of delivering successfully is a major selling point for anyone else looking to join your project. In a highly competitive market this could help your brand when competing for the best people. This brings us on to the last point regarding availability…
5) They are more readily available than permanent employees
The best permanent consultants work for the most prestigious consultancies/partners and tend to be loyal to their employer. The length of Microsoft Dynamics implementation means that a consultant brought in on this basis has a similar shelf-life to what a contractor has once the project is completed. Unlike end users, partners can offer project variety and career growth specific to Dynamics that will outlast a 2-3 year programme (contingent on the partner’s success as well). A Junior Consultant can join an organisation in a technical capacity – say a Developer role – and know that once they have built up a reputation for themselves across several projects that they can look at progression to a more Senior or Architect level role. This makes it harder for end users to compete with this the career progression on offer as an end user programme will always have a shelf life. Therefore, opportunities to bring in contractors who increase the marketability of a project with their considerable skills and experience should not be viewed as a “necessary evil” but more as something that is critical to successful solution delivery.
These points show how the contractor market across the Microsoft Dynamics channel is misunderstood. Contractors who work onsite for end users further diversify the understanding of the Microsoft Dynamics product on offer as they will work with in-house teams increasing their knowledge of the product as well as an awareness of best practice. This helps the market for Microsoft Dynamics professionals as those with no previous experience can get to a level where they can begin to consider working across the partner channel or become a specialist.
But… Proceed with caution!
Of course, not all Dynamics contractors are going to be great and you need to look out for tell-tale signs that a contractor should be approached with caution. These include expensive contractors who lack experience of end-to-end projects, contractors who have never worked on a long term project, and those who have never had a contract renewal. Don’t let this scare you – these contractors are definitely in the minority! Put simply, the majority of contractors add value and it can be easy to avoid the bad ones.
There are ways that employers can protect themselves from troublesome contractors to reduce the risk to the business: you could consider retention clauses, bonus payments for successful work or putting a short notice period into the contract – all good contractors in the Microsoft Dynamics community will be happy with these, as they know that they can perform to the desired standard. To know whether or not a contractor is trusted you could to speak to a specialist Microsoft Dynamics recruitment agency like Cognitive Group, who know the contractors to avoid. The chances are we have been burnt before, so we are keen to avoid a repeat as much as you!
If you would like to discuss contract or permanent jobs with us, please get in touch:
UK Tel: 020 3587 7772
EU Freephone: +800 4433 2929
Email: info@cognitive-group.com
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