Welcome to the Jungle: Why Digital Transformations Fail (and How to Avoid It)
At Third Stage Consulting, we’ve spent years studying both the successes and the failures to answer one simple question: why do so many digital transformations go off the rails — and what can leaders do differently? ERP failures are nothing new. For decades, organizations have been sold the dream of best practices, off-the-shelf systems, and […]
Big ERP Is Becoming Obsolete — What’s Replacing It
For decades, monolithic ERP suites from vendors like SAP and Oracle promised a single system to run the business. But like Blockbuster ignoring Netflix or BlackBerry underestimating the iPhone, big ERP has missed where the market is headed. The category isn’t disappearing overnight—but its role is shrinking fast, and the operating model that surrounds it […]
When Legacy Knowledge Dies: Why Obsolete Systems Put Your Business at Risk
There’s a hard truth many organizations don’t want to face: some of the legacy systems running their businesses are so old that the people who know how to maintain them are literally disappearing. If you’re still operating on platforms like IBM iSeries, AS/400, or mainframe green-screen systems from the 1980s and 1990s, you’re not just […]
Is ERP Dead? Why Incremental Modernization May Be Smarter Than a Full Replacement
Most companies today are running ERP systems that are 10–20 years old. These systems aren’t always broken — but they aren’t delivering the full technological value modern businesses need either. For years, the default response has been: rip and replace. Spend tens of millions of dollars on a new cloud ERP and get on the […]
Why RFPs “Suck” — And How To Use Them Without Getting Burned
Requests for Proposals (RFPs) are a staple of big technology decisions. They create structure, documentation, and a paper trail that legal and procurement teams appreciate. But they also create blind spots that can tank your transformation long after the bid is awarded. This is your guide to using RFPs as one data point—without letting them […]
The Dark Side of Cloud Computing: 5 Things Transformation Leaders Need to Know
The entire enterprise technology space is moving to the cloud. ERP, CRM, HCM, supply chain, and virtually every category of enterprise software now comes with a cloud-first mandate. But here’s the catch: the cloud isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Yes, there are advantages — scalability, automatic upgrades, and standardized processes. But cloud solutions […]
Cook County’s $250M IT Failures: What Every Transformation Leader Should Learn
When one of the largest counties in the United States sets out to modernize its technology, you’d expect time, budget, and resources to guarantee success. But as Cook County, Illinois shows us, big investments can still lead to massive failures — proving that money alone doesn’t guarantee better outcomes. Over the past decade, Cook County […]
Why SAP’s ROI Problem and AI’s Rise Signal the End of “Business as Usual” in Enterprise Tech
For decades, enterprise software vendors have dictated the rules of the game. They told you when to upgrade, what to pay, and how to align your business strategy with their product roadmap. But in 2025, that dynamic is shifting — and not in the vendors’ favor. Two themes stand out from today’s digital landscape: Let’s […]
Is AI Killing the Consulting Industry?
For decades, technology consulting has thrived on billable hours, big teams, and armies of consultants capturing meeting notes, documenting processes, and customizing software. But that model is breaking—and AI is leading the charge. I’ve spent my entire career in consulting. Now, I can say with certainty: AI is disrupting (if not outright killing) the consulting […]
From Hollywood Casting to IT Staffing: Why the Right Talent is Everything in Digital Transformation
When you think of Hollywood, IT staffing probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But the leap from casting television shows to building digital transformation teams isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds. In Hollywood, the job of a casting director is simple to describe but difficult to execute: find the right person for […]
Why Building the Right Internal Team Matters More Than Your ERP Vendor
When organizations launch a digital transformation or ERP initiative, most leaders assume the “real experts” are the software vendors, system integrators, or outside consultants they bring in to guide the effort. And while those players can certainly provide technical depth, the single most important factor in your project’s success is the strength of your internal […]
Achievable AI Use Cases for Mid-Market Companies
Artificial intelligence is everywhere in the enterprise conversation right now — but many small and mid-market companies are left wondering: Where do we actually start? It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of generative AI and futuristic use cases. But the truth is, most organizations can realize value today in practical, achievable ways […]