A Client Question
A client was getting a lot of complaints from her team about the ERP system used to run the business – from taking orders to ordering materials and producing product to shipping and invoicing customers and reconciling financials. She was ready to throw the computer out the window when she called to find a new system so that they could build value in the business instead of suffering endlessly.
The Answer
In their case, there was no need for a new ERP system. This was GREAT news as this investment is often-times the most significant undertaking a company can make. When they go wrong, which is statistically over 80% of the time, they go wrong in a BIG way. Lost customers, hundreds of thousands if not millions underwater (depending on the size and scope), unhappy employees and more.
Although the situation was dire with no hope for resolution (financials that didn’t reconcile and it couldn’t be used in any meaningful way to manage production and inventory), all wasn’t lost. The system itself would work for their type of manufacturing environment although the way it was implemented wouldn’t. As a result, we found a new partner who had significant impact. The partner helped them navigate through the clean up of their system, upgrade to the latest version and learn how to utilize the upgraded functionality, which was key to going beyond the base to new frontiers that would increase the value of their business.
Food For Thought
This executive is one of my favorite executives. I’ve known her since I started consulting 14 years ago. She has an extensive background and is a business valuation expert in addition to being a business leader. If she can get caught up in the ERP maze, anyone can. Take a step back and make sure your assumptions make sense. Should you reconsider how you are using your system or whether it is the right time for an upgrade? If you are interested in an ERP assessment, contact us.
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About LMA Consulting Group – Lisa Anderson, MBA, CSCP, CLTD
Lisa Anderson is the founder and president of LMA Consulting Group, Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in manufacturing strategy and end-to-end supply chain transformation. She focuses on maximizing the customer experience and enabling profitable, scalable, dramatic business growth. Ms. Anderson has been named a Top 40 B2B Tech Influencer by arketi group, a 50 ERP Influencer by Washington-Frank, ranked in the top 46 most influential in Supply Chain by SAP and named a top woman influencer by Solutions Review. She recently published, I’ve Been Thinking, an inspiring collection of 101 strategies for creating bold customer promises and profits. A regular content contributor on topics including providing a superior customer experience with SIOP, advancing innovation and making the supply chain resilient, Ms. Anderson is regularly interviewed and quoted by publications such as Industry Week, tED magazine and the Wall Street Journal. For information, to sign up for her Profit Through PeopleTM Newsletter or for a copy of her book, visit LMA-ConsultingGroup.com.
Media Contact
Kathleen McEntee | Kathleen McEntee & Associates, Ltd. | p. (760) 262 - 4080 | KMcEntee@KMcEnteeAssoc.com
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