Enterprise Culture and ERP Implementation

The culture of an enterprise and the ERP system it uses share a symbiotic relationship. That’s why it is often said that ERP is not an add-on; rather, it is a process management system itself. That means most of the ERP failures are not because of technological constraints or some mysterious factors, but the company’s culture failing to embrace this change.

Getting a hold on this human element is indeed the greatest challenge facing organizations, which is why we present some tips on making sure your business culture and ERP usage goes hand in hand:

• Educate employees: The first to do is educate the people who’ll be using the system all day. Instead of ERP being an edict they must follow from now on, it should be introduced as a high-level concept first. You can consider hiring a trainer to walk them through why ERP is more exciting and meaningful than their existing systems.
• Reward change agents: Of course not everyone will take to the ERP system wholeheartedly. The best way to deal with this is to identify those employees who are positive towards the ERP and adopt it quickly. Rewarding them would lead to a greater overall acceptance in the workforce.
• Get everyone together:Perhaps the right thing is to get everyone together before you even finalize the decision. Make them understand what business conditions are necessitating the changeThe culture of an enterprise and the ERP system it uses share a symbiotic relationship. That’s why it is often said that ERP is not an add-on; rather, it is a process management system itself. That means most of the ERP failures are not because of technological constraints or some mysterious factors, but the company’s culture failing to embrace this change. Getting a hold on this human element is indeed the greatest challenge facing organizations, which is why we present some tips on making sure your business culture and ERP usage goes hand in hand:
  • Educate employees: The first to do is educate the people who’ll be using the system all day. Instead of ERP being an edict they must follow from now on, it should be introduced as a high-level concept first. You can consider hiring a trainer to walk them through why ERP is more exciting and meaningful than their existing systems.
  • Reward change agents: Of course not everyone will take to the ERP system wholeheartedly. The best way to deal with this is to identify those employees who are positive towards the ERP and adopt it quickly. Rewarding them would lead to a greater overall acceptance in the workforce.
  • Get everyone together: Perhaps the right thing is to get everyone together before you even finalize the decision. Make them understand what business conditions are necessitating the change, and what it means for them.

  The people element is most crucial when it comes to ERP. Make sure you are rightly prepared before the system is implemented, and what it means for them.

The people element is most crucial when it comes to ERP. Make sure you are rightly prepared before the system is implemented.

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