Signs of an Underperforming ERP Project Manager

ERP Project Manager

When an ERP implementation starts heading south, everyone starts to point fingers in one direction or another, and usually it’s towards the vendor. Core teams march with torches and pitchforks screaming that the vendor is mismanaging their project and nobody internally takes responsibility. In a recent post, we talked about how clients hold ultimate responsibility […]

Fatal Flaws in the Digital Transformation and ERP Software Industry

Digital Transformation

Earlier this week, I met with the CFO of a client that we recently helped select ERP software for and are about to start implementation with. He mentioned that he is generally excited about his upcoming transformation – until he reads one of my blogs or watches one of my videos on my YouTube channel. […]

How to Fix a Failing Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation

Fix a Failing Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation

Have you ever thought about what actions you need to take to fix a failing Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation? If not that’s perfectly ok, because this article is specifically for you. To begin with, D365 software is an extremely useful tool that can double the ability of your organization to optimize your customer relationships. Companies […]

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sure Step Methodology: The Missing Pieces

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sure Step

Despite improvements over previous methodologies to implement Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft’s Sure Step Methodology for Dynamics 365 deployments is not a silver bullet that addresses all the needs of your D365 transformation. This understanding is a prerequisite to a successful Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation. Some challenges that we see a lot of organizations run into includes: […]

Managing Stress During ERP Implementation

Stress During ERP Implementation

Pretty much anyone who speaks of their past experiences with an ERP implementation jokes about hair loss, weight gain, insomnia, irritability, etc. Essentially, it STRESSED THEM OUT. In fact, this is a key finding from our 2019 ERP Report. My question is, why do we let this happen? We’re not going to answer this question […]

ERP Failure: Is it Time to Take it on the Run?

ERP Failure

I have recently been listening to some of the classic hits from REO Speedwagon. As they once said in their heyday, “you’re under the gun, so you take it on the run.” I heard this particular song (“Take it on the Run”) while I was writing my recent blog about Revlon’s SAP failure, so I […]

How to Plan for a Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation

Plan for a Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation

It’s not every day that your company goes through an ERP implementation to optimize your organization’s systems. How you plan for your Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation will have a big impact on your ultimate level of success. Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a long-term solution that requires all hands-on deck from your company for the project […]

ERP Implementation Risk: Key Pitfalls to Avoid

ERP Implementation Risk

Implementing any new software for your company is always filled with promise and usually provides a positive to your business for the long run. But as we outlined in our 2019 ERP Report, it is important to be aware of ERP implementation risk as well. With an ERP implementation there is a lot of potential […]

Big ERP Systems Integrators Exposed

Big ERP Systems Integrators Exposed

Disclaimer: This article contains quotes from multiple sources, which we have not cited for confidentiality purposes. Third Stage Consulting is an independent, technology-agnostic firm that is not affiliated with any of the ERP software vendors or systems integrators mentioned in this article. After the French Revolutions in the 1800s, a famous French writer once wrote: […]

Lessons from a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Failure

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Failure

Late last month I received a call from a CIO that I have known for about 13 years. He and I have worked together over the course of his roles at three different companies, so I know him fairly well. But this phone call was different than others I have received from him in the […]

Summary of Findings from the 2019 ERP Report

Summary of Findings from the 2019 ERP Report

A few weeks ago, we released the 2019 ERP Report. Unlike similar studies of years past, this one digs deeper into the statistical root causes of success versus failure – and the findings are very eye-opening. Overview of the 2019 ERP Report The study examines ERP implementations over the last 20 years, with a particular […]