Shawn Dorward
Dynamics Enthusiast | Microsoft MVP | World's Okayest Shawn
Columbia, South Carolina, United States
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Shawn Dorward is Vice President of the SMB Division (Fulcrum Group) at sa.global and a seasoned business and technology leader with over 25 years of experience in ERP and CRM implementations. His expertise spans a wide range of industries and organizations—from small family-owned businesses to complex global deployments—driving digital transformation and delivering measurable business value.
Recognized as a 7-time Microsoft MVP for Business Applications, Shawn is deeply passionate about helping businesses maximize efficiency and ROI through strategic use of technology. His dedication to the Microsoft Dynamics community is evident in his frequent speaking engagements at user groups, conferences, and online events across the U.S.
Shawn shares practical insights and productivity tips through his popular blog www.LifeHacks365.com, covering Dynamics 365 (including Dynamics GP and Business Central) and Office 365 tools like Excel and Outlook.
Embracing the next wave of innovation, Shawn is currently exploring the power of AI and Microsoft Copilot. Through his platform www.TheWorldsOkayestShawn.com, he documents his journey with podcasts, blog posts, and life hacks—all designed to help others save time, increase efficiency, and navigate their own Copilot adventures.
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Use Your System Better Than You Ever Have!! Business Central Tips and Tricks!
You have Business Central but are you using it effectively and efficiently? Join me for this session to talk about cool features and functionality you may be overlooking or simply not aware of!! Everything from data entry to processing transactions, there will be tips for everyone!
This is NOT an AI Session…It’s a Reality Check
AI is transforming everything. But here’s the truth: for many businesses, it’s still early days. The opportunity is real, but the readiness often isn’t. So what do we do in this in-between era: when AI is here, but not quite “here for us” yet?
This session isn’t about prompt engineering or copilots. It’s about leadership in an AI-first world: how we keep our people optimistic instead of anxious, how we help organizations build the muscle for change, and how to turn the wait into preparation.
AI isn’t replacing everything tomorrow — but the leaders who start getting ready today will own the advantage when it does. Let’s talk about how to lead through this moment — with clarity, honesty, and purpose.
The Power of Love... I mean Dimensions.
Dimensions are one of the most powerful (and most misunderstood) features in Business Central. Join us for this session to not just like.. but LOVE using Dimensions and set you and your client up for success!
Too often, teams either underuse them, overcomplicate them, or implement them in ways that create more confusion than clarity. The result? Reports that don’t answer real questions and data that no one fully trusts.
In this session, we’ll break down how dimensions should be used to bring structure, consistency, and real insight into your financial and operational reporting.
We’ll cover:
- Where dimensions go wrong in real implementations
- How to design dimensions that actually scale with your business
- Practical ways to simplify reporting and get answers faster
- What dimensions are and why they matter (including Global and Shortcut dimensions)
- How to set them up in a way that scales with the business
- Real-world applications across financial reporting, sales analysis, and project tracking
- Practical approaches to teaching dimensions through hands-on examples and real scenarios
- How the right dimension strategy improves accuracy, performance tracking, and strategic planning
Whether you’re new to dimensions or feel like you’ve been fighting them for years, you’ll walk away with a clearer, more practical approach that you can apply immediately.
The New ERP Era — Marrying Business Central with AI-First Thinking
ERP systems have always been the backbone of business operations, but AI is ushering in a new era where ERP becomes a true system of intelligence. In this session, we will explore how businesses can imagine and prepare for the impact of AI on ERP systems.
This session will challenge attendees to think creatively about the areas of business that stand to gain the most from AI: finance teams supported by predictive insights, supply chains optimized through intelligent forecasting, and customer operations enhanced with proactive recommendations. We’ll examine practical ideas for where AI can empower decision-making across the organization.
Equally important, we’ll consider the human side of this shift. As ERP grows smarter, roles will evolve: everyday ERP users will move from transaction processing to decision orchestration.
This session is about sparking ideas, fueling discussion, & inspiring new ways of thinking about how AI can elevate both ERP systems and the people who use them.
Copilot Chronicles: One Year, One Bot, Endless Lessons
In this session, I’ll take you inside my first full year using Microsoft Copilot in the workplace—what worked, what didn’t, and how it’s transforming the way we operate. Copilot has become more than a tool; it’s a strategic partner that helps me think faster, work smarter, and stay focused on what matters. You’ll hear why I believe AI is the most critical tool you’ll ever use—and why those who ignore it risk being left behind. I’ll share real stories, lessons learned, and the mindset shift needed to truly unlock its value. Whether you're exploring Copilot or looking to maximize its impact, this session will challenge how you think about AI and inspire you to lead with it.
Copilot Chronicles: One Year, One Bot, Endless Lessons
In this session, I’ll take you inside my first full year using Microsoft Copilot in the workplace—what worked, what didn’t, and how it’s transforming the way we operate. Copilot has become more than a tool; it’s a strategic partner that helps me think faster, work smarter, and stay focused on what matters. You’ll hear why I believe AI is the most critical tool you’ll ever use—and why those who ignore it risk being left behind. I’ll share real stories, lessons learned, and the mindset shift needed to truly unlock its value. Whether you're exploring Copilot or looking to maximize its impact, this session will challenge how you think about AI and inspire you to lead with it.
Business Central and Copilot - Life Hacks you and your customers need!
This session will cover the Copilot functionality available inside BC and an intro to using Copilot studio with BC. We will cover tips and tricks for effective use cases for your end users as well!
10 Life Hacks I Can't Say in Front of Customers - Running a Successful Project
Let’s face it — some of the best partner strategies are the ones we can’t say in front of customers. You know… the little moves that keep projects on track, margins protected, and chaos under control.
In this session, Shawn Dorward shares ten unfiltered lifehacks from the partner side — the real-world tactics that make implementations smoother, faster, and a lot less painful. We’ll talk about managing scope without fights, keeping billing steady, reading early warning signs, and nudging clients toward better decisions (without them realizing it).
It’s not theory or textbook PM talk — it’s what actually works when you’re in the trenches running delivery, chasing collections, and trying to keep your team and your client both happy.
10 Things You Can Start Doing Today to Save Time in BC!
TEN cool things you can do today to save time in your BC system - This session will cover key financial areas tips and tricks that end users just aren't aware of!
Copilot IN Business Central—What You Need to Know and How to Use It!
Join me for this session where we are going to cover all the functionality of Copilot within Business Centra. how to use it and WHY you SHOULD be using it - in true fashion, we will also cover LifeHacks on how you can go beyond functionality and make the most out of this UI for AI!!
Ready, Set, Stop. 10 LifeHacks to a Better Implementation as a Beginner
Projects are hard. And they are even harder as a newer consultant. Most lessons consultants carry with them are learned in the trenches of a project... often when that lesson is learned, it comes with a price tag.. and stress... or regret. Join this session to hopefully avoid some of those pitfalls.
In this session, Shawn Dorward shares ten unfiltered LifeHacks to help a consultant be more successful, therefore the project more succesful.
This isn't about how to load master data, but more the professional skills, change management, discipline and methodology/approach need to be the best consultant you can be for the client and your colleagues.
DynamicsCon 2026 Sessionize Event
Directions North America 2026 Sessionize Event
Shawn Dorward
Dynamics Enthusiast | Microsoft MVP | World's Okayest Shawn
Columbia, South Carolina, United States
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