Nishant Rana is a Microsoft Dynamics CRM consultant working with Microsoft in Hyderabad, India.

He is a genius and I was lucky to have him as an old colleague of mine in Microsoft.

He is one of the best professionals in Dynamics CRM. SharePoint and Microsoft stack of technologies with whom I had chance to work for a year on the best project of my CRM journey.

His blog is just not a blog but an ocean of CRM and SharePoint knowledge.

With close to 2.11 million hits on his blog, I doubt if anyone has not solved at least one problem on Dynamics CRM without referring to his encyclopaedia.

This interview is a tribute to a great individual.

1. Name, current job title and social media links please

Nishant Rana

Consultant, Microsoft GD, Hyderabad.

https://twitter.com/nishantranaCRM

http://nishantrana.me/

2. What does an average day at work look like

An average day starts with Black Tea, my favourite workout Insanity, then frequent Coffee Breaks in Office, Workout in Gym, Book, Music and of course CRM.

3. What job did you did before you starting using CRM

I had joined KPIT Cummins as a Trainee while I was doing my MS from I2IT. There itself I got an opportunity to work in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0.

4. What was the first version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM you worked with and how long have you been using Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Version 3.0 and 7 years till now

5. How do you stay up to date with the CRM

I would normally refer training and readiness materials released by Microsoft as well as blogs of CRM Experts.

6. What one feature would you add to CRM Product.

I wish they can make the UI of the application more intuitive, user friendly and simple to use.

7. What is the best tool/solution you have used recently

Dynamics CRM OData Query Designer and Ribbon Workbench are my favourite tool. For the earlier versions of CRM, my favorite tools used to be Stunnware Tools.

8. What CRM certifications do you have, do you try and keep up to date with CRM certifications

My Transcript

Transcript ID – 818349

Access Code – NishantRana

https://mcp.microsoft.com/Anonymous//Transcript/Validate

Yes I do try to keep up to date with CRM Certifications.

9. How important is it to have good business analytical skills working with Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

It is extremely important, because eventually it is all about business and how CRM as a product can help improve it.

10 How useful is it to have programming knowledge to become a good Microsoft Dynamics CRM Professional?

Having a good programming knowledge would help in designing the best possible solution.

11. What are your hobbies outside of CRM.

I like working out, playing cricket, listening to music, reading books.

12. What was the last book you read and what was the last film you watched

· A Whack on the Side of the Head by Roger Oech

· I

13. Have you friends ever told you to stop talking/tweeting/blogging about CRM? What does your partner/family member(s) think of CRM.

All my friends have been supportive and always encourage and inspire me to grow personally and professionally.
14. Who is the first CRM Expert you remember reading/seeing

Michael Höhne of http://www.stunnware.com/

As an appreciation from my end, here is a certificate:

Happy CRMing!