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 execution phase of the project are functional NetSuite consultants, highly adaptable and skilled professionals that will help you oversee the running of the process, and 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 be looking 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 and technical skills that I look for in such a candidate through the lens of a few of our team’s success stories, what you should also keep front of mind in your search for a functional consultant. As such, the first case study I will be talking about will serve to highlight the first few of these skills.
To set the scene a little, this particular one 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 as well as analysis of what was at the root of their problems were – in a shorter timeframe than a permanent hire would get – the ability to adjust their approach to working with end-users to suit the team’s needs and begin working as efficiently and 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.
Important to any ERP migration process pre- or post-implementation, 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 sometimes 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 or procedures 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 that was critical in their work from both a technical and collaborative standpoint, their problem-solving gave them the tools they needed 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 process and systems will require its own way in which the NetSuite implementation must be adapted to it for it to be beneficial rather than counterproductive. As such, problems and issues are likely to arise along the way (and as seen in this case study even after implementation), so a functional NetSuite consultant needs to know how to think strategically to analyse and 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 especially be a non-negotiable for any hires you are looking to recruit on a contract basis.
Technical skills:
Obviously, you will have certain standards of competence your consultant needs to reach technically, and in the client’s case they specifically needed someone skilled enough to set up a dashboard for better visualisation.
In terms of what to look for from a technical standpoint, your ideal NetSuite consultant should absolutely be well-versed in all NetSuite modules, such as inventory, financial and order management, as well as the system’s coding language SuiteScript.
Key to these non-negotiables though, will be a good understanding of business processes and workflows, as well as strong business acumen, both of which will be crucial for knowing how to map a business’s existing processes and configure NetSuite to suit a client’s specific requirements.
As the task of migrating entire company data sets, platforms and systems is almost never linear, a good NetSuite consultant (functional or technical) will know how to utilise their expertise in this area to eliminate inefficiencies and identify opportunities for further streamlining during both the planning and execution phases.
Excellent communication skills:
An indispensable quality of any competent consultant – be it a functional, technical, contracted or permanent hire – communication can often be the difference between a successful integration and a frustrating one. This is particularly important at the start of the project when communicating the project scope to stakeholders and partners, as poor communication at this stage can often lead to ERP system migration issues.
Looking at another case study, in which a client required a NetSuite consultant to provide them with the aftercare support they were lacking, understanding the system and team setup was a crucial first step providing an effective solution for the NetSuite consultant we put forward for the role. This was done through workshops and introductory calls to establish channels of communication through which the team could feel heard and understood.
This seemingly simple step led to significant improvements for the client in a short period of time compared to their two years’ experience of using ACS. If a Partner wants its business’s end-users to have as smooth an integration from start to finish, this skill will ultimately be paramount to the efficacy of a consultant. You can find out more about what makes a successful NetSuite implementation here.
Whether you’re outlining the project goals and tasks to the end-users of the system, or optimising procedures to ensure a smooth integration, having a functional NetSuite consultant that knows how to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner will be essential for building a cohesive unit and keeping the project on track.
However, effective communication is more than just conveying information – it also involves the skill of active listening to better understand client requirements, and where gaps in understanding lie, which will be important in conflict resolution, ensuring that potential or existing problems are tackled effectively, and that each member of the team is singing from the same hymn sheet.
Management skills:
Finally, a good consultant will have some management expertise as it will be essential for their task in assisting end-users throughout the process. As their task involves a more holistic approach to NetSuite implementation, they need to be competent in the different aspects of managing a team (and especially if they’re contracted), which include selection of the right team, task delegation, supervision of work to stick to project schedule and budget as well as managing project scope.
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.
Remember, the right consultant will be instrumental in navigating the challenges of ERP migration, ultimately driving your project to success. As you begin preparations for the scale of such a project, keep these qualities in mind to build a team that will deliver exceptional results and lead your business through a smooth and effective transition.
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:
