At the heart of #BCTalent is a commitment to developing well-rounded professionals. Here, the technical aspects aren’t enough. We know how important professional skills are to a partner practice, so we also teach the “what”, why,” and “how” of working effectively with people both inside and outside of the business.

Here are some of the professional skills we focus on, and why they’re crucial for Microsoft partners.

1. Mindset

We teach a range of techniques that encourage a growth mindset, tapping into learners’ curiosity to frame problems in a practical, real-world manner. Then, we explore the concept of “above-the-line” and “below-the-line” behaviors to ensure that they take responsibility for the things within their control.

A growth mindset means new hires are proactive, resilient, and eager to take ownership of their work. They see challenges as opportunities to learn rather than as insurmountable obstacles. This positively impacts your business by creating a workforce that is more adaptable to new technologies and client demands, and less likely to be derailed by setbacks.

2. Communication

Covering important traits for both assertive and responsive communication, we empower participants to interact effectively with others before exploring how their paradigms and perceptions influence their communication style. They learn how to apply these principles to better understand and empathize with the concerns of stakeholders, convey potential solutions, and make stronger connections.

That means you get team members who can explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, write clear documentation, and actively listen to client needs, which can prevent misunderstandings and reduce project delays. The result? Smoother project execution, higher client satisfaction, and more efficient sign-offs.

3. Stakeholder management

Learners get to know who their stakeholders are and what they care about. They’ll dig deep into stakeholder roles and priorities, analyzing the level of understanding and influence each stakeholder has in their projects to help them tailor their communication approach. To complete the module, they’ll develop a dynamic Stakeholder Communication Plan that outlines how they’ll engage with each stakeholder.

Understanding who stakeholders are and what they care about is critical for project success. A new hire skilled in this area can identify key players, tailor their communication, and manage expectations from the start. These skills help keep projects on track, minimize scope creep, and build trust with clients by demonstrating a thoughtful, organized approach.

4. Collaboration

Equipping participants with core knowledge and the ability to build self-awareness and emotional intelligence, this module teaches learners how to develop stronger relationships and formulate questions to help them gather stakeholder requirements.

As you know, Business Central projects are always a team effort. A new hire who collaborates well can provide and receive constructive feedback, understand their role within the team, and know when to ask for help. This reduces friction and bottlenecks, improves team morale, and ensures a cohesive effort toward project goals.

5. Presentation skills

We teach participants how to avoid poor presentation habits and absorb best practices for communicating to groups. They learn and apply the Five Ps of Presentation Excellence to elevate their public speaking skills, getting them ready to create and deliver a presentation to summarize key takeaways from their personal learning journey.

The ability to deliver a clear and confident presentation is vital for consultants and developers who need to present solutions or project updates to clients. A team member with strong presentation skills can articulate the value of their work effectively, leading to more buy-in from clients and a stronger perception of your team’s expertise.

6. Professional selling

During this module, participants explore the psychology of selling, focusing on what drives the decision to buy. Learners also discover how to tackle challenges by looking at a benefit-driven methodology, empowering them to avoid objections right from the start of the selling process.

Even in non-sales roles, understanding the psychology of selling and what drives a decision to buy is an asset. A new hire who understands how to frame their work in terms of benefits to the client, rather than just technical features, can help prevent objections and demonstrate value. This can really strengthen your team’s role as a trusted advisor and indirectly contribute to business growth.

7. Business requirements gathering

We make sure learners explore this fundamental yet impactful aspect of consulting. It may not always be the most glamorous part of a project, but it is undoubtedly the keystone to success. Participants will discover what requirements gathering is, why it’s vital, and how they can use this process to support the success of their projects.​

Requirements gathering is a foundational skill for any consultant. An employee who is adept at gathering requirements can ensure that projects are built on a solid foundation. Having this skill to draw on reduces the risk of rework, minimizes scope creep, and ensures that the final solution accurately addresses the client’s needs, leading to higher client satisfaction and more successful project outcomes.

8. Requirements documentation

Outlining the critical practice of project documentation, we show participants how this process lays the foundation for organized, efficient, and successful projects. We understand that project documentation is more than paperwork; it’s a roadmap that guides teams, ensures transparency, and preserves institutional knowledge, so we take time to teach learners how they can apply this practice to enhance their project skills.

Project documentation is the roadmap for a project. A new hire who understands its importance and can create clear, comprehensive documentation helps ensure transparency and preserves institutional knowledge. That means your team is equipped to maintain organized, efficient, and successful projects, and makes it easier for future team members to understand the work that was done.

9. Project methodologies

We dive deep into project methodologies and, most importantly, help them become more familiar with the term ‘scope control’ to manage changes to original requirements.

Understanding project methodologies and concepts like ‘scope control’ helps every team member contribute more effectively to a project. A new hire with this knowledge can better manage their own work, anticipate potential issues, and understand how their tasks fit into the bigger picture, leading to more efficient project delivery and more predictable timelines for your clients.

10. Personal time management

Using our on-demand platform, we encourage participants to increase their efficiency by identifying opportunities in their current time management practices and personal standards. By the end of this module, they’ll be able to assess their time management barriers, set priorities, deal with interruptions, and use time-blocking techniques to help them with recurring diary activities.

In a project-based business with multiple deadlines, an employee with strong time management skills is a significant asset. They can prioritize tasks, deal with interruptions, and use techniques like time-blocking to manage their workload effectively. And that equates to more efficient work completion, a reduction in missed deadlines, and a more productive team working for your clients.