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 […]
What It Really Takes to Start an AI Tech Company
Starting a tech company looks glamorous from the outside. We hear about venture funding rounds, disruptive innovations, and fast growth — but the reality is far scrappier, riskier, and more customer-obsessed than most people imagine. Recently, I sat down with Will and Xenon, two of the founders of Octure, an AI tech startup focused on […]
The 10 Biggest Government IT Failures of All Time — And the Lessons They Teach
Government agencies have some of the most complex digital transformation challenges in the world. Between strict procurement rules, public accountability, entrenched processes, and sprawling stakeholder groups, the stakes are high — and so are the risks. Over the past few decades, we’ve seen a number of public-sector ERP and IT projects collapse under their own […]
From Value Creation to Value Destruction: The PE Digital Transformation Trap
Private equity firms don’t invest in companies for fun — they invest to create value. But what happens when your digital transformation strategy backfires? When instead of improving EBITDA, your tech initiative drains capital, disrupts operations, and adds risk to your exit timeline? That’s not a hypothetical. It’s what we see far too often in PE-backed companies […]
5 Shocking Whistleblower Claims About SAP S/4HANA!
At least five whistleblowers have come forward in recent months — and they all share one thing in common: frustration with how SAP S/4HANA implementations are being sold, scoped, and executed. At Third Stage Consulting, we’re often brought in after the fact — to rescue troubled projects, rebuild trust, and reset strategy. And in the […]
ERP Failures: Stop Blaming Your Vendors, Start Fixing Your Planning
ERP failures aren’t happening because your system integrator can’t code fast enough. They’re happening because your organization didn’t make the right decisions before the project ever kicked off. That might sound harsh — but it’s also liberating. Because once you shift your focus from finger-pointing to forward planning, you can take back control of your […]
Lander Talent
We’re builders, not salespeople. Lander Talent Connecting Top Talent with Transformational Opportunities Lander Talent is a community-driven, expert-led staffing firm specializing in ERP, IT, and digital transformation. Find Your Next Role Human-first. People-first. Truth-first. At Lander Talent, we believe that great teams don’t just hit deadlines—they change trajectory. Founded by Jonathan Whipple and Eric Kimberling, […]
Rethink the Rip-and-Replace: 5 Reasons Why ERP Modernization Doesn’t Have to Mean Starting Over
Is “Rip and Replace” Still the Right Answer in 2025? For decades, the conventional wisdom in enterprise software has been this: if your ERP is outdated, it’s time for a rip-and-replace — tear it out and start fresh. Vendors love this idea — and why wouldn’t they? A full replacement means bigger contracts, longer implementations, […]
Cutting ERP Costs Without Cutting Corners
Most ERP projects don’t go over budget because of the software.They go over because of poor planning, bloated timelines, and the wrong people making the wrong decisions at the wrong time — all of which drive up ERP costs unnecessarily. The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way. At Third Stage Consulting, we’ve […]