I’m far from done learning

Who is Sandra?

I am Sandra and work as a consultant at Axelio in Groningen. I was very consciously looking for a company where I can do what I enjoy, but where I also have room for my private life. With three children, things can come up unexpectedly. At Axelio, that's really not a problem; I have all the freedom to organize my work myself. Additionally, I work on beautiful assignments, with incredibly nice colleagues. A real hit!

How is CRM used in education?

We have developed a special CRM solution in Groningen for educational institutions that offer courses, such as De Baak or the Christelijke Hogeschool Ede. This solution helps educational institutions with, for example, student registrations, the enrollment process, or applying for study budgets. We also provide a solution for tracking student enrollments at universities and colleges. Additionally, you can of course use Microsoft Dynamics for marketing activities and, for example, open days.

Why is working in this sector so enjoyable?

No matter which client I am working with; I always collaborate with nice people. Moreover, the Microsoft Dynamics product is a fantastic tool that can take a lot of work off our hands, which makes our clients very happy. I also feel that people in education are somewhat less harsh than in other sectors. We really work together to find the best solution. That makes it a very pleasant work environment.

How would you describe the people at Axelio?

It is a very flat organization. From other consultants to management; I have nice contact with all my colleagues. From the very first conversation, the company felt like a warm bath. There is a very friendly atmosphere, and everyone is always willing to help each other.

What is your role as a consultant?

It is a combination of advising our clients and building the solutions. I am involved in almost every step of a project. One day I chat with users about what their wishes are and how we can achieve that, and the next day I write code for 8 hours or build flows. I really enjoy the conversation with the end-user, and I can now combine that very well with my other passion: coding.

Does every consultant at Axelio do the same thing?

Definitely not! One consultant is more focused on coding, while another is primarily engaged in sales. We all have our own strengths. As a result, everyone has a different set of tasks. Additionally, we work within Axelio in various sectors and with different solutions. Management is always working to bring out the best in people by allowing them to develop in what they enjoy doing.

Microsoft Dynamics is also well-suited for that distinction. The Power Platform is aimed at low code/no code, which means you can set up a lot with little or no code. This way, you quickly build a working product that you can discuss with clients and colleagues. You can then expand it further. If this is not possible with a regular configuration? Then you can always add extra code. You can also involve your other colleagues for this. We really know how to find each other.

What does a process for building a CRM solution look like?

As soon as there is a new client, we look at who among us is available to take it on. This is really done in consultation and is not just decided for you. This way, you maintain control over your own workload. I often work with our own CRM solution. Initially, I set up a basic structure for new clients so that I can immediately show what the possibilities are. Then comes the building process. Only then do I adjust everything to how the client wants it.

Towards the end of the project, I do a demo and train the client. I also let the clients click through the product themselves. That is incredibly interesting! They always manage to find a button that you hadn't thought of. After the final adjustments, we schedule a go-live. After the go-live, there is always room for adjustments or fixing any bugs.

Are you done learning?

Not at all! I am still discovering all sorts of new things within Microsoft Dynamics. There are also regular moments when we present new updates, tips, or cases to each other. This way, we keep each other up-to-date on all developments. Clients often come with new challenges. If a client comes with something I have never done before, I always think to myself: 'I can do this'. Microsoft has documentation on everything, so I just know I can figure it out. I find that exciting. And if I can't figure it out, my colleagues are always ready to help me.

There is so much possible, especially now that we are part of Axelio. That offers even more opportunities! As a group, we aim to provide the entire Dynamics suite. There are also knowledge sessions where we learn a lot from each other. Additionally, we can visit each other.