My first year at Digital Hive: Growing as a CRM consultant

Digital Hive
Sep 18
3 min read

CRM consultant: Remco Daniels

In February, I began my journey at Digital Hive as a Junior CRM Consultant. Over the past seven months, I’ve been immersed in the world of consultancy, gaining valuable experience and learning key lessons along the way.

My first client: Solar Assistance

Just a few weeks into my role, I was assigned my first client, Solar Assistance, a company specializing in repairing and maintaining solar panels. They were already using Salesforce but needed more efficient processes within their CRM.

Initially, I assumed the most challenging part of consultancy would be the technical aspects, mastering every detail of a CRM system and building what clients need. However, I quickly realized that the real challenge lies in the preparation: learning methodologies like agile and understanding concepts such as story point estimation, which were entirely new to me.

Equally eye-opening was the level of client communication required. Coming from an admin role, I was used to working in the background with limited user interaction. As a consultant, the expectation is different: understanding client needs through discussions, framing the right solution, and clearly explaining why a specific approach was chosen. This was a steep but invaluable learning curve.

Providing IT support at Tosca

A few months later, I started working with Tosca, a global leader in reusable packaging and supply chain solutions. This project felt like a big step forward: not only was I introduced to a relatively new CRM environment, but I was also working with a globally distributed company with different processes and structures.

My role focuses on providing user support and managing system changes, from analyzing requests to testing and deployment. At first, the biggest challenge was understanding the new environment. I learned quickly that the best way to familiarize yourself is by diving in and solving tickets.

Although it was intimidating to realize some users knew the system better than I did, I adapted by asking the right questions and gradually became more confident. Gradually I was resolving issues more efficiently and even suggesting system improvements independently.

Building knowledge through certifications

In consultancy, credibility is essential. Certifications in platforms like Salesforce and Dynamics 365 not only demonstrate expertise but also enable us to work across multiple client environments.

Before joining Digital Hive, I had mainly focused on the skills needed for my day-to-day work. Now, I recognize the importance of broadening my knowledge base. Studying for certifications can be time-intensive, but I found ways to make the process more efficient. AI tools, for example, have been invaluable in helping me create summaries to structure my learning. By reviewing these first, I can process information more effectively and save significant time.

So far, I’ve achieved three Salesforce certifications and one Dynamics 365 certification. I’m proud of this progress and look forward to continuing to expand my expertise.

Working at Digital Hive

These past seven months have been an incredible growth experience. Digital Hive has played a key role in that journey. The company has a clear vision of what it stands for, and I’ve appreciated both the structured feedback and the supportive culture that drives personal development.

A special thanks goes to Mathieu, who has been an outstanding mentor. From sparring sessions that challenged my thinking to regular feedback and support, I’ve learned a great deal from him and hope to continue doing so.

Looking ahead

I’m grateful for the colleagues and clients I’ve met so far and for the opportunities I’ve had to grow as a consultant. I look forward to building on this foundation, continuing to learn, and supporting even more clients in the future.