A somewhat universal truth among all NetSuite experts is the degree of complexity and precision that planning a NetSuite implementation involves. Having worked in Oracle NetSuite recruitment and successfully helping a diverse range of clients build their dream team to achieve an efficient ERP migration, I know just how much work goes into getting it right from start to finish.
NetSuite implementation is no small feat, and you will need your execution to be as effective as your planning for the entire transition process to run smoothly. Core to this are functional NetSuite consultants, highly adaptable and skilled professionals that will aid in navigating your business through the ERP system migration.
But what exactly makes a good, or even competent functional consultant, and what should you look for in one when aiming to bolster the quality of your team in preparation for implementation? In this blog, I will look at the core soft skills that I look for in such a candidate through the lens of a few of our team’s success stories and what to keep front of mind in your search for a functional consultant.
To set the scene a little, this particular case study involved a business that had actually implemented NetSuite through NetSuite themselves but had found themselves 6 months further into the implementation than their plans had accounted for and had gone over their budget by 60%. Certain key finance features were not automated or tailored to the company's needs, leading to inefficiencies and the need for additional support.
This called for the services of a NetSuite consultant to come in and review the current NetSuite setup, provide solutions for key finance issues, establish a project timeline, and implement solutions over a 4-month period.
Key to each of their objectives however, and the successful execution of the proposed solution in the end, were the following soft skills:
Adaptability:
As their task involved an assessment of the business’s current NetSuite system and the root of their problems (in a shorter than usual timeframe), the ability to adjust their approach to suit the team’s needs and work as collaboratively as possible proved pivotal. This was what allowed them to conduct their review and propose a detailed timeline and roadmap for addressing the specific issues.
A functional NetSuite consultant will need to demonstrate this skill to a high level as there is a good chance the needs and requirements of the business will evolve over the course of and even after the project. As these changes can manifest in unexpected developments in the integration process, the ability to adapt one’s own way of working is a very important skill to have.
If your NetSuite consultant will be working on a contract basis, this will be an indispensable skill to have as they will have to adjust within a much shorter time frame than a permanent hire usually would.
Excellent Problem-solving Skills:
Another skill critical to their work from a technical and collaborative standpoint, their problem-solving enabled them to diagnose the issue and execute the proposed solutions they came up with.
This will be crucial for any functional NetSuite consultant worth hiring as your existing systems will require an adaptation of some sort from your NetSuite implementation for maximum operability. As such, issues are likely to arise along the way (and even post-go-live - as seen in the case study), so a functional NetSuite consultant needs to know how to think strategically to come up with effective solutions for the business’s end-users.
As time is one of if not your most valuable resource during this project as a Partner, this skill should be a non-negotiable for any hires you are looking to recruit on a contract basis.
Excellent communication skills:
An indispensable quality of any competent consultant – communication is often the difference between a successful integration and a frustrating one and this second case study is a perfect example of such.
The initial scenario saw a client in need of an expert to provide aftercare support post-go-live, and a crucial first step taken by the candidate we put forward for the role was to understand the system and team setup. This was done through workshops and introductory calls to establish channels of communication through which the team could feel heard and understood.
This simple step led to huge improvements for the client in a short period of time compared to their two years’ experience of using ACS. It also showcases how paramout this skill is to the competence of a functional NetSuite consultant. Having one that can convey complex information in a clear and concise manner and actively listen to better understand feedback will be essential for building a cohesive unit and keeping the project on track.
You can find out more about what makes a successful NetSuite implementation here.
Overall, your key takeaways should be to make the above your priorities when in search of a NetSuite consultant that excels from a functional standpoint. By focusing on these key attributes, you can ensure that your NetSuite implementation is as seamless, efficient, and tailored to your specific business needs as can be.
If, however, you are reading this and currently feel you could do with an important addition to your team in preparation for an ERP system change, or you simply need more guidance with your hiring needs than this piece can provide, I’d be happy to help. We are the experts in Oracle NetSuite Recruitment so get in touch below if you are searching for *your* next NetSuite expert:
