Five Steps to a Successful ERP Change Management Plan

darren_future_erp_trends_explained.jpg
Reading Time: 2 minutes

In my last blog I introduced you to the “resistance-gnomes” – those very human voices that cry out in plaintive (or angry) voices at the smallest suggestion of change. Recognizing their humanity, however, does not mean giving them license to hinder your ERP implementation activities or even slow them down. As Harold Wilson, former Prime Minister of the UK, once remarked: “He who rejects change is the architect of decay.”

I would like to add to that thought: “He who rejects change management is not doing his (or her) company any favours!” The last several decades have seen many ERP implementation failures due in part to a lack of employee buy-in. You might remember the commotion over the implementation-related bankruptcy of US$ 5 Billion pharma company FoxMeyer Drugs, which experienced considerable employee sabotage, including damaged inventory and unfilled orders.

Read more

When Quantity Trumps Quality

jp_when_quantity_trumps_quality.jpg
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Being an armchair sports enthusiast is even more satisfying when your team is trouncing the competition. Coming back from 2-0 down to win the latest ODI series against England, South Africa did its diehard cricket fans proud this past weekend.

As I basked in the afterglow of their victory, I got to thinking about the effort that goes into such a resounding success. There has to be an optimal combination of all of the individual personnel and processes and a pursuit of excellence that spans across the entire team and throughout its support structures.

Read more

What is Driving the Differentiated User Experience?

Reading Time: 2 minutes

When I think about the most widely used phrases bandied about the office in 2015, ‘a meaningful user experience’ has to be one of them. And I’m sure that it will continue to feature throughout 2016.

As businesses continue to place the UX at the front and center of product and service improvements, it seems highly unlikely that any industry, sector or individual organization has remained unaffected by the quest for satisfying customer engagement.

Take enterprise resource planning (ERP) for example.

The challenging business landscape and growing demand for a meaningful user experience has encouraged ERP software developers to focus on developing innovative, customer-centric solutions.

So what is powering this pursuit for the ultimate UX?

Read more

Illuminating the Customer Experience

rob_illuminating_the_customer_experience.jpg
Reading Time: 2 minutes

For the past year or so I’ve been a loyal customer of a booming barbershop near the SYSPRO head office. I only realized recently that none of the barbers are able to speak English. It made me wonder how they had been able to build a successful business relying on clear communication with this direct impediment.

Read more

Why Upgrade?

darren_why_upgrade.jpg
Reading Time: 2 minutes

A few days ago, while travelling home, I decided to pop into a well-known UK supermarket to pick up some essentials. As I walked into the supermarket I spotted a huge sign at the end of every aisle that read: ‘From 8pm until 12am this evening this store will only accept cash payments. This is due to a software update that will not only make your shopping experience better but improve our reliability to you our customers.  We apologies for any inconvenience.’ 

Read more