The 7 Dwarfs of ERP Implementation : Grumpy.
Negativity is contagious. Luckily, so is positivity.
Let’s face it – an ERP business system implementation is a long grind. No individual task is too challenging, but collectively the campaign is daunting and relentless. Keeping the team motivated is key. Be positive and enthusiastic, but honest and practical is the mantra.
“It won’t work here”, “It’s been tried before”. Then later, “This is getting us down”. Negativity is insidious and contagious. Dissatisfied key users and/or disinterested project sponsorship are Snow White killers – usually through a slow, painful death. Prince rarely comes to the rescue at this point ! The demise is blockbuster expensive too.
Instead ? Fire it up. Counter with positive messages, Spread a little fun and happiness. Bring in a batch of Pizza’s, take the team for a pub-meal after the day’s done, have a project pet ( yes, I’ve seen it work – with a Labrador and a pot plant ). Persuade your project sponsor to dress as Santa for a surprise visit.
The key message is positive motivation. The team are essentially designing the way their business will run, and their jobs can be, through a system solution. It’s a great opportunity to make sure their needs are met, probably for the next 5-10 years. Do they really want someone else to do that for them ? No thanks ; we’ll take it from here !
Scary, challenging, but it doesn’t stop you having a little fun on the way.
Charles Bailey
Echo Peak Consultancy Ltd