General Consultant Discussion

Just discovered that I have to add the Sage 100 Implementation Competency role. Looks like I can take a four day class taught by Ed Kless in October or test out now. I don't mind the idea of taking a class even though I've been implementing the software since 1987 as I figure there are always better ways of doing things but I'm also a little afraid of being bored witless. Any thoughts?

It's been more than a few years since I attended the Consultants Bootcamp (is it called something different now?). It isn't product specific so you won't be walking through installation wizards and module configuration.

How does this make you competent in implementing a system. Maybe pricing it correctly, but technically implementing ????? I wonder if we could talk Ed into putting it on for 90MInds?

Looks like two days on consulting skills and behaviors and two days on project management.

It should definitely not be thought of as a technical course which, of course, the title does nothing to help.

I think someone tested out but had heard the test was not the same open book type stuff as other competencies.

Chuck took it recently. It is FOTF applied to consulting. Even though he'd had some of it before, he thought it was well worth the time and money.

@KathrynScofield how and when were you notified? And when do you have to have it completed? @JeffSchwenk this WOULD be another good 90 Minds symposium!!

Jerry, this is encouraging news. I look forward to learning something new!

I recently received an invoice for our annual partner renewal. You know the one - $1,000 to have the opportunity to sell Sage 100. It was 'past due' by the time I got the bill so I called and left a voicemail for Anne Seidel to let her know 'check's in the mail' so please don't drop us. She responded via email and let me know that since we lost one of our consultants who was grandfathered in, I would have to earn this competency before we can renew. I've since called her back to get clarification on our status, but have not heard back from her.

Unfortunately, Ed works for Sage so this would be doubtful....

No partner in crime like Ron?

Not for this one. It is an Ed-only show. He might, as a Verasage Fellow, make a presentation, but I'm sure Sage owns this content. I would suspect that they would schedule the event for 90 Minds-only registration if we could guarantee attendance.

Interesting idea @BrianRice

Sage has in the past offered 90 Minds only courses. I bet we could even get them to host it in Irvine and we'd all get a chance to mingle. Not a terrible idea. Also @KathrynScofield I'm completely shocked that Anne Seidel called you back at all.

Is this something on the horizon for everyone or just because Kathryn lost the employee?

We don't need it but would consider it. Not ready to commit to it any more than that.

If Ed Kless leaves I wonder who would take over the consulting classes. Does anyone know how they do the sales bootcamps without Rob Johnson? (Or are sales bootcamps history. )

LDK Consulting (Dave Knoor) does to Sales Bootcamp. Leading Results (Dan Kraus) does the Marketing Bootcamp.

By the way, we're talking about the Sage Consulting Academy (Ed Kless), the Sage Marketing Academy (Dan Kraus), and Sage Sales Sales Academy (Dave Knoor).

Wayne, don't get excited. Anne did not return my phone call. Jeff, my husband was offered a great opportunity with one of our clients. He had grandfathered in to this competency which is why it escaped my attention. My understanding is that to be ""authorized"", at least one individual must hold each of the three required competency roles (implementation, technical, and applications). I hold two of the three. I should have grandfathered in when I had the chance. Shortsighted on my part,

I don't understand why you can't keep Jeff as an employee? Is there a certain requirement to be full time? Also I suspect Sage runs a lot of these certifications by spreadsheet and if Ed were to leave they'd recalculate the revenue potential and make a decision from there. You might see them just use an outside consulting company as they are doing with sales and marketing. Tom Miller left and they didn't directly replace him. I have some question about whether they'd replace Ed.

Wayne, I doubt they would replace Ed, too. I suspect, though, that if they let him, he'd stay along time. He seems to genuinely like his gig.

@JerryNorman if I had Ed's gig I'd like it too :) After all, it is a pretty cool deal.....

@KathrynScofield I liked the way the certification tests were completed at one (I won't mention the name) of my previous employers. One of the consultants took MOST of the tests for all consultants. In fact, one of the people had not supported MAS90/MAS200 for some time, but was still certified......It was nice at the time, but some clients suffered in retrospect.