Tackling Workforce Challenges, Celebrating 25 Years & The Future of Microsoft D365

As we move deeper into 2025, businesses are preparing for the challenges ahead. One of the biggest concerns for companies globally is staff retention and talent shortages, particularly in industries requiring specialised skills such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. In this newsletter, we’ll be covering:

• The biggest workforce challenges in 2025 – Why staffing and retention remain top concerns.
• How businesses can improve employee retention and attract top talent.
• The Microsoft Dynamics services market reaching $20.95 billion by 2029.
• How we ?Live and Breathe Dynamics? by using Dynamics 365 internally.
• AI news and its role in Microsoft Dynamics.
• Celebrating Conspicuous’ 25th Anniversary! ??

The Biggest Workforce Challenge in 2025: Retaining and Attracting Talent in a Competitive Market

The talent market is evolving at a rapid pace. Finding and retaining highly skilled professionals is becoming more difficult, particularly within Microsoft Dynamics 365. With companies increasingly relying on Dynamics 365 BC, F&O, and CE to drive digital transformation, the demand for talent is outstripping supply.

Why Are Businesses Struggling with Retention?

Retention issues arise due to various factors, including:

• Lack of career development – Employees want clear growth paths and learning opportunities.
• Burnout & workload concerns – With larger projects and increased demand, Dynamics professionals can feel overworked.
• Compensation & benefits – Competitive salaries, remote flexibility, and wellness initiatives now play a key role in retention.
• Poor hiring decisions – Rushed hiring often leads to misalignment between employer expectations and employee aspirations.

Strategies for Retaining Microsoft Dynamics Talent in 2024-2025

Here’s how businesses can combat talent shortages and improve retention:

?? Create a Clear Plan & Vision

• Clearly define your company’s mission, culture, and values.
• Establish business strategies for the next 12 months, 3 years, and 5 years – employees want to work for a company with a clear roadmap.
• Identify what makes your organisation unique compared to competitors.

?? Optimise Retention Strategies

• Offer career development opportunities – invest in certifications, training, and mentorship programs.
• Conduct "stay interviews" to understand employees' needs before they consider leaving.
• Introduce mentorship initiatives to help junior staff grow while senior employees feel valued for their expertise.

?? Leverage Sponsorship & International Hiring

• Brexit and regional restrictions have limited talent pools—consider setting up payroll solutions in countries like Portugal, Spain, or Ireland to attract a wider range of professionals.
• Sponsorship options allow companies to hire from a global talent pool, ensuring access to skilled professionals.

?? Utilise Contractors to Fill Short-Term Gaps

• If permanent hiring is taking too long, consider bringing in highly skilled contract professionals to maintain project momentum.
• Many businesses now opt for hybrid teams—permanent employees for long-term stability and contractors for immediate project needs.

?? Improve Your Hiring Process & Candidate Experience

• Ensure interviews are well-structured, transparent, and move at the right speed—talented candidates won’t wait around for slow decision-making.
• Optimise recruitment channels:

- Use passive & proactive recruitment techniques.

- Enhance social media branding to showcase your company culture.

- Develop an effective referral program to attract like-minded professionals.

The Microsoft Dynamics Market is Booming! Expected to Reach $20.95 Billion by 2029

The Microsoft Dynamics services market is forecasted to hit $20.95 billion by 2029, with an annual growth rate of 17.8%.

This growth is fuelled by:

• ?? Increased adoption of Business Central and F&O across industries.
• ?? Higher demand for AI-driven automation solutions.
• ?? More businesses moving to cloud-based ERP & CRM solutions.

What does this mean for businesses?

• The need for skilled Dynamics professionals will continue to rise – competition for top talent will be fiercer than ever.
• Companies must stay ahead of the curve – investing in training and upskilling is crucial.
• Partnering with expert recruitment firms like Conspicuous will be essential to securing the right talent.

We ? Live and Breathe Dynamics ? – Conspicuous Uses Dynamics 365 Internally

At Conspicuous, we don’t just recruit for Microsoft Dynamics—we use it every day to run our business efficiently. We believe in the power of Dynamics 365 and Power Platform so much that we’ve built our internal systems around it.

D365 CE (Customer Engagement) – Our Mercury CRM is powered by Dynamics 365 CE, allowing us to manage our extensive database of candidates, clients, and job placements. Through CE, we can efficiently track interactions, manage recruitment pipelines, and ensure seamless communication across our teams.

D365 BC (Business Central) – We use Dynamics 365 Business Central to manage invoicing, payments, and financial reporting. BC helps us stay on top of financial processes, ensuring smooth operations and accurate forecasting.

Power BI – Data & Analytics We leverage Power BI dashboards to analyse recruitment trends, track job placements, and optimise business decisions based on real-time insights.

By using the same technology we recruit for, we gain first-hand experience in how Dynamics 365 can transform business operations. This allows us to provide genuine, knowledgeable recruitment support to our clients—because we truly understand the solutions they rely on.

The Role of AI in Microsoft Dynamics & Recruitment

AI is shaping the future of Microsoft Dynamics, and at Conspicuous, we’re actively embracing AI-powered recruitment tools to streamline processes while maintaining a human-first approach.

?? AI & Microsoft Dynamics

• AI is enhancing automation within Dynamics 365, making ERP and CRM systems smarter and more intuitive.
• Copilot AI is transforming Business Central, CE, and Power Platform by automating repetitive tasks, generating insights, and improving user experience.

?? AI at Conspicuous

We hold monthly AI strategy meetings to explore new tools, ensuring we stay at the cutting edge of recruitment technology.

Our custom GPT models are configured specifically for marketing and recruitment—assisting with:

• Writing Boolean search strings for better candidate sourcing.
• Generating job descriptions and outreach templates tailored to our industry.
• Organising day planners and scheduling support for recruiters.
• Assisting with podcast guest scheduling and more.

However, we remain people-first—AI helps streamline tasks, but our recruitment expertise ensures meaningful client and candidate relationships.

Conspicuous Turns 25! ??

This January marked Conspicuous' 25th Anniversary! ??

For 25 years, we’ve specialised in Microsoft Dynamics 365 & Power Platform recruitment, supporting businesses in the UK, US, EMEA, and APAC.

We’re proud to have connected thousands of talented professionals with the right companies, growing alongside the Microsoft Dynamics community.

A HUGE thank you to our clients, candidates, and team members for being part of our journey! ??

Future-Proof Your Business with Conspicuous

?? If your business is struggling with retention, talent shortages, or hiring skilled Dynamics 365 professionals, we’re here to help.

?? Our Services Include:

?? Permanent & contract recruitment for Microsoft Dynamics 365 & Power Platform.

?? Advisory services on market trends, hiring strategies & talent retention.

?? Access to a global network of top-tier candidates.

?? Let’s Talk – Get in touch today to discuss how we can support your business in 2025 and beyond!

?? Contact us here.