We have seem dozens of ERP implementations over the past few years and we realize that successful implementations are a lot about intangibles and attitude.
ERPs are not required.
Like exercise.
Human body does not require to be exercised today or maybe tomorrow, but in the long run, if you wish to maintain your body and its health, you should get on the treadmill.
In the same way, ERPs improve the health of your organization over a long run by keep it fit and efficient. The more you delay putting things in order, the more time you lose and the closer you get to a major disaster.
So when you start implementing an ERP, keep your sight on the long term benefits. Like exercise, its painful in the short run, but will do wonders if you stay on course.
ERP means organization wide change and it does not happen without effort. Every change requires a champion and its the duty of the champion to organize and energize the entire team towards implementation. The champion is all the fall guy (or fall gal) incase something goes wrong and hence needs to be resilient. Who becomes a champion without putting effort anyways?
In many organizations we have seen, the champion is most often the owner or a senior manager. Occasionally, the champion is an outsider who is hired for the purpose.
In either case, you must identify your champion first.
Most likely its you!
Lets Begin!