Mariana Becerra’s Journey: From Delivery Manager to Head of Operations
at The CRM Team

In a recent interview, Mariana Becerra, the newly appointed Head of Operations at The CRM Team, shared her thoughts and emotions about her promotion from Delivery Manager. Mariana expressed her immense honour and excitement, considering this new role as a significant milestone in her career. Although it was not a planned move on her career path, Mariana believes in seizing opportunities that come her way and making the most out of them.

Transitioning from the delivery department to heading operations, Mariana acknowledges the change and challenges that lie ahead. However, she exudes confidence in her abilities to effectively lead the operations team and drive the desired outcomes for the organisation. Mariana recognises the shoes she must fill, as the previous Head of Operations, had left a strong impact and was someone she admired within the organisation.

As the youngest member of the management team, Mariana sees her youthfulness as an advantage that brings fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table. She believes that having a different viewpoint and a fresh pair of eyes can contribute significantly to problem-solving and driving positive change within the organisation. Mariana aims to combine her adaptability, enthusiasm, and drive to create a more dynamic and forward-thinking environment.

When asked about her goals and plans as the new Head of Operations, Mariana emphasised the importance of ensuring operational excellence and efficiency throughout the organisation. Building upon the legacy of her predecessor, she aims to streamline processes, optimise resource allocation, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Mariana also highlights the significance of cross-functional collaboration and communication to drive constructive collaboration among different departments and align operations with the company’s strategic goals.

In terms of introducing changes and innovative ideas to the management team, Mariana believes in adopting automation and AI solutions to enhance efficiency and productivity. Leveraging tools like Viva sales and Co-pilot can aid in effective communication, especially for team members who may excel in problem-solving but struggle with conveying information to clients. Mariana also emphasises the importance of encouraging an Agile and flexible approach to decision-making and problem-solving, empowering team members to contribute their ideas and drive innovation at all levels.

Reflecting on her transition from Delivery Manager to Head of Operations, Mariana acknowledges that she will miss the direct involvement in day-to-day delivery operations and the close relationships she built with her delivery team. However, she sees this promotion as an opportunity to have a broader impact, shape strategic initiatives, and contribute to the long-term growth of the company. While the challenges and responsibilities may be different, Mariana is eager to embrace them and looks forward to the journey ahead.

Mariana’s promotion to Head of Operations marks an exciting chapter in her career. With her determination, fresh perspectives, and commitment to excellence, she is poised to make a significant contribution to The CRM Team’s success. The entire organisation eagerly awaits the positive changes and achievements Mariana will bring in her new role.

From Passion to Action:
Celebrating Youth Day

Youth Day serves as a reminder of the importance of young people in this country. The impact of today’s young South Africans will be even more pronounced as they become the decision-makers of tomorrow. With the right guidance and support, they can shape our nation’s future and create a brighter tomorrow.

At The CRM Team, we greatly believe in our young people and strive to give them the tools and resources they need to succeed.

The latest youngster to join our team is Jordan Masters, a Junior Dynamics 365 Developer

To celebrate Youth Day, we chatted to Jordan to discuss his career thus far, in hopes to inspire the young people of South Africa to work towards their dreams.

Where it all started, a young boy with a dream.

From an early age, Jordan had already figured out which path he wanted to follow.

“As a top IT student in high school, I knew IT was a career I wanted to pursue.” Jordan began by developing games to play with his friends.

“I would take on passion projects whenever I found something interesting. One of the things I was particularly interested in was crypto. However, I did not have the funds to invest in it, so I created an app that pulled figures throughout the day of how much crypto was worth.” Proving how tech savvy Jordan is, this app would perform as a simulation without investing a cent.

Everyone who has accomplished something worthwhile was once a beginner.

Growing up in a gaming generation had a significant impact on Jordan. He would create bots that could help him level up in a game while at school. “As an example, we got into a game called Hearthstone. The bot I created would constantly take screenshots during the game, and I built an engine that could recognize these images, regardless of whether it was text or pictures. Then I would cut up the images and match them using colours. The bot would then take the images provided and I would instruct it on how to play how to play the game and move the mouse.”

“Those passion projects got me interested in coding and made me want to pursue it further,” states Masters.

After finishing matric, Jordan already had a plan for what he wanted to do and how he would do it. After watching the movie, The Intern, his desire was to be part of a bigger team where they could work on software development projects together. However, that dream was placed on hold as he had to embark on a solo journey. “I reached out to companies in small towns to develop software solutions for them at a very small fee.”

Masters describes how he could only charge these companies a few thousand rands for systems that would have cost them hundreds of thousands. Jordan merely wanted to improve his skills and become independent while navigating life outside of school.

“I wanted to make money to spend on myself instead of asking my parents,” he states.

It is Jordan’s ethics and drive that opened doors for him. Now that he is part of The CRM Team, Jordan’s next goal is to get a Bachelor of Computer Sciences qualification, so that one day he can rank up as a Senior Developer.

The choice is yours to modify your dreams or magnify your skills.

Jordan’s journey is evidence of where commitment, hard work and determination can take you. Here is a man who had a dream at an early age and worked faithfully to achieve his dream. From teaching himself coding and pursuing it at a young age, to actively seeking opportunities to execute his skill and help small companies with software development – Jordan is what every young person should strive to be like.

“The one thing I would suggest for a young person in South Africa is to find something in demand and see if you enjoy it. While it may be difficult for some to find something that they love, it is worthwhile to learn a skill that is in demand and learn to love it.

I would also advise the youth to not be afraid to get themselves out there. They must reach out to companies or individuals and offer their services to help those companies reach their goal while acquiring experience to help them in the future. Also remember, the most important thing is do not stress yourself out, life always works itself out.”

The youth of South Africa can learn a lot from this young man.

Introducing Talhah Jeewa: Senior Solution Sales Professional at The CRM Team

Meet Talhah, a young, passionate individual hailing from the vibrant city of Johannesburg, South Africa. Born with an adventurous spirit, Talhah embraces life with enthusiasm and energy. Whether casting a line on a serene fishing trip, cheering for his favorite football team, or indulging in the sizzling delights of a traditional braai, he finds joy in the simple pleasures of life. Armed with an Honours degree in Bcom Marketing Management from the University of Johannesburg, Talhah channels his creativity into every endeavor he pursues. Balancing professionalism with a touch of artistic flair, he effortlessly expresses his innovative ideas in all aspects of life. With a strong focus on family and friends, he cherishes the moments spent together, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Talhah Jeewa, is a Senior Solution Sales Professional at The CRM Team, specialising in Microsoft Dynamics 365 and the Microsoft Power Platform. With his expertise and passion for customer-centricity, Talhah has been instrumental in transforming industries such as manufacturing, tertiary education, corporate training, real estate, non-profits, and transportation.

At the heart of Talhah’s work lies the powerful Microsoft Dynamics 365 business applications suite. This comprehensive platform offers a wide range of solutions to meet the unique needs of businesses, enabling them to manage and optimise their operations effectively.

His background in marketing management, with a BCom Honours degree, has fuelled his passion for Dynamics 365 Marketing, Customer Insights, Sales, and Customer Service. He understands that these components are the key drivers of customer centricity and play a crucial role in building long-lasting relationships.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Microsoft Dynamics 365 is its ability to automate manual and time-consuming processes with just a click of a button. This automation not only saves organisations countless hours but also aligns efforts towards a common goal. Imagine the impact of eliminating tedious administrative tasks and redirecting resources towards value-added activities that truly benefit customers. With Dynamics 365, businesses can achieve this efficiency while significantly reducing costs from an IT perspective.

The transition to the cloud has been a game-changer for many organisations, and Talhah has witnessed first-hand the transformative power it brings. Customers who have migrated to the cloud using Dynamics 365 have experienced remarkable cost reductions, freeing up thousands of hours and millions of rands. The elimination of hardware costs and the reduced security risks associated with cloud-based solutions have made the platform even more appealing to businesses of all sizes.

In an industry that constantly evolves, Talhah stays ahead of the curve by embracing every release wave of Microsoft Dynamics 365. With each update comes a host of new and revolutionary features that customers love. The power of the platform knows no bounds, and Talhah’s expertise lies in helping businesses leverage these capabilities to their fullest potential.

However, the question remains: Can we keep up? The rapidly evolving nature of the Power Platform presents a challenge for businesses to stay up to date with the latest advancements. Talhah’s commitment to continuous learning and innovation ensures that he remains at the forefront of industry trends and can guide his clients towards sustainable growth.

Beyond his expertise, Talhah’s true passion lies in the people he meets and the diverse challenges he encounters on a daily basis. Every day brings new opportunities to connect with individuals from different walks of life and find exciting ways to solve their unique business problems. It’s a career that he finds fulfilling, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

With his deep knowledge of the platform and its potential to revolutionise industries, Talhah has helped businesses achieve remarkable results. His dedication to customer-centricity, automation, and continuous learning ensures that he stays ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Talhah’s commitment to solving complex business challenges and his passion for helping organisations succeed make him an invaluable asset to any team.

Introducing Paul Mulder: Senior Solution Sales Professional at The CRM Team

Meet Paul Mulder, a seasoned sales professional with a passion for technology, outdoor activities, and making a positive impact on the world. Born and raised in South Africa, Paul has a deep appreciation for the natural beauty, great weather, and the simple pleasures of life that his home country offers.

As a “born-and-bred” South African, he has a love for the seaside and enjoys activities such as snorkelling, swimming, catch-and-release fishing, and scuba diving. When he’s not near the coast, Paul keeps himself active by playing tennis, skateboarding, hitting the gym, and attempting to play the guitar (although he modestly claims to play it “very badly”). He also has plans to learn to play the piano in the near future, showcasing his love for music and continuous pursuit of personal growth.

Paul’s passion for making a difference extends beyond his personal interests, as he is deeply committed to the humane and just treatment of all inhabitants and environments of our planet. He is particularly passionate about marine conservation and children’s rights, which reflect his caring and empathetic nature. With a heart for making a positive impact on the world, Paul strives to contribute towards creating a better future for all.

Professionally, Paul has an extensive background in the IT Software Industry, with a focus on software sales. He has held various roles throughout his career, ranging from sales executive to business unit manager, and has even started his own business that implements sales effectiveness solutions.

Paul is known for his innovative mindset and his belief in the power of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, to help businesses and individuals achieve more than they thought possible. He brings a unique perspective to his work, driven by his divergent way of viewing the world and his unwavering enthusiasm for staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in his field.

Currently, Paul is a Senior Solutions Sales Professional at The CRM Team, where he brings his wealth of experience, passion for technology, and commitment to making a positive impact to the team. With his expertise in sales and his forward-thinking mindset, Paul is well-equipped to help clients navigate the ever-changing landscape of customer relationship management and drive meaningful results.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Paul is an active member of his community and strives to make a difference wherever he can. He is constantly seeking opportunities to contribute to charitable causes and give back to society, aligning with his values of compassion, fairness, and social responsibility.