Author: Lisa Anderson

Projects often stall during the holiday season – or, at best, lose momentum. Typically, businesses are consumed in covering vacation schedules, dealing with last minute customer questions or crises (which somehow always seem to come up the hour prior to leaving for the holiday), etc. Therefore, activities not required from a day-to-day perspective stall. Yet, there isn’t a more important time to ensure project success than to rejuvenate after the holidays. 

Since many businesses are just emerging from the recession to the new normal business environment, they must capture opportunities as they arise. In the new normal, competition is tough, cash is tight and customers require an elevated level of service. Thus, it is even more important to deliver project results – increase sales, improve service levels, reduce costs etc. Historically, the best time to improve your position vs. your competitors is during a recession and/or emerging from a recession. The bottom line – the time to leapfrog your competition is now. 

So, how do you jump start your project on January 3^rd?  A few keys to success include: 1) Refocus the team on the objectives.  2) Review successes and think leverage.  3) Kick-start the momentum and focus.

1)   Refocus the team on the objectives – It always amazes me how often the obvious is overlooked. One way to immediately refocus the project team is to review the objectives.  What is the goal?  Why are we focused on the goal? Why does it matter – to the organization? To the team members? How do each individual and the project team contribute directly to a vision worthy of focus?  Often, it’s as simple as that. People want to provide value and contribute to a worthy cause. Remind them.

This doesn’t require an elaborate plan or money. It just requires an effective leader – those companies who value leaders and appreciate the value of people will get a jump on the competition.

2)   Review successes and think leverage – Once the team is grounded in the objectives and why they matter, it’s time to review the project progress in a way that will accelerate progress. I’ve found that one of the best ways to accomplish this is to relate the project progress to the team’s successes to date and to each individual’s contributions. I have no trouble getting engaged in a conversation when it relates to something I’ve done well!    

During this process, each person tends to think about how he/she achieved the success or how the team was integral to the success – and, many times, critical strengths (both team and individual) are uncovered. Brainstorm with the team on how to leverage these strengths. Success is achieved by leveraging strengths; not focusing on weaknesses.

3)   Kick start the momentum and focus – Last but not least, a jolt of caffeine will spur the team to action. Find a near-term yet critical project task and focus all attention on it. There are a myriad of ways to demonstrate focus and priority. Communicate the goal.  Explain the importance. Remind each person how they contribute to achieving the task.  Be visible. Encourage the team.  Appreciate progress. Make sure the project sponsor and other Executives communicate with the team about the task. Find the positives and talk about them. Undoubtedly, the pace of progress will accelerate.

Once accomplishing the task, the team will be energized and rejuvenated. Celebrate progress. It doesn’t have to be costly or complex, yet it will make a difference. Everyone wants to contribute to an important and recognized success. Success builds on success. 

Instead of being one-of-the-crowd and slowly getting back into the swing of things following the holidays, use this timeframe as an opportunity to hit a grand slam while the opposing team is groggy. Once you have momentum, you’re more likely to not only achieve the project goals but you’re also likely to give your company a jump on the competition.

Don’t forget to leave your comments below.

During the recession, many ERP (enterprise resource planning) system implementations have been put on hold.  Now that we are emerging from the recession, companies are beginning to think about implementing – even if not a full implementation, they are considering upgrades and/or implementing specific functionality to help the business run more efficiently.  Thus, understanding how to implement successfully is vital, as no one can afford to spend more money or resources than required.  And, most importantly, it is important to be one of the 20% of companies who achieve the expected results.

In the last 20 years, I’ve implemented countless systems, ranging from full ERP implementations to specialist software implementations such as transportation management.  A few secrets to success have emerged during that timeframe.  Most companies do not follow them, as they cost upfront; however, in my experience, the total project cost is significantly lower and/or the results achieved are far greater.  The secrets include:  1) Select the best core team.  2) Focus on processes.  3) Integrate training with daily business processes.

1. Select the best core team – This is always a significant issue, as the business must continue to run while the implementation preparation occurs.  Thus, you need your best people dedicated to the implementation while you also need your best people running the business.  Not a simple dilemma!  The best companies begin preparing in advance with cross-training and by adding resources into the organization.   However, that isn’t enough.
   The best organizations also emphasize teamwork.  It is critical that the leaders ensure that everyone works together.  There is no way to simultaneously run the business and focus the energy required to have a successful ERP implementation unless leaders leverage each person’s strengths and encourage teamwork.
2. Focus on processes – One of the largest mistakes I see companies make when implementing ERP systems is ignoring processes.  Typically, the thinking goes something like this, “our new ERP system is set up with best practices, and we want to take advantage of these best practices”.  Of course it’s a good idea to leverage best practices; however, it will not be successful if not thought through with current processes.  How will you transition from current to new?  What non-system processes should be considered?  How do you handle exceptions? 
   In every ERP implementation, one of the best ways to ensure success is to focus on common exceptions.  It’s surprising how often it’s not considered, as the exceptions are commonplace.  For example, what should the user do if he/she makes a mistake when shipping an order?  Or receives too much product?  Or receives it in the incorrect unit of measure?
3. Integrate training with current business processes – Last but not least, there is nothing more important than providing not only excellent training programs but also integrating the education with the their current daily work processes.  Otherwise, their entire daily routine will be turned upside down, which typically leads to unintended results of poor service, lost customers, poor efficiencies and low morale.  And, unfortunately, once a customer is lost, it is nearly impossible to get them back.  In my experience, if it’s possible to get them back, it not only takes a long time of providing consistent service but it also typically requires lowering prices – and therefore margin.
   The best way to ensure that the training programs are integrated into daily processes is to run in parallel.  That can be expensive, and so the next best way to achieve this objective is to run a full test with current daily processes.  For example, instead of testing with practice data when entering work orders or invoices, use the real data for that day and enter into the new system.  By running through a few of these types of tests, enough real life examples will arise – exceptions, issues etc.  That way, implementation issues can be addressed prior to go live, and the user will understand his/her new daily routine with the new system.

Although implementing systems can help a business achieve significant results, it can also destroy a business if not successful.  Implementing these secrets to success can ensure you come out on the right side of that equation.

Don’t forget to leave your comments below

In my 20 years of experience and participation in 1000s of projects as a former VP of Operations, Business Consultant and Entrepreneur across multiple industries and globally, there has been one constant – projects don’t fail in formulation; they fail in execution!  It is an odd phenomenon as to how many companies and executives spend considerable time discussing, reviewing, and approving projects yet largely ignore the implementation.  Of course, you can imagine the result – failure.  Even more surprising, they do not understand what happened.

It is my job as a management consultant to ensure my clients are not only prepared to set up and prioritize the project but to ensure success.  Thus, the 80/20 of my focus has been on implementation.  What are the secrets to success in implementation? 

1.    Proactive Reminders. As simple as this sounds, it is often overlooked.  There’s nothing exciting or “new” about tracking project progress and proactively reminding people of critical path tasks.  Yet there is nothing more powerful in ensuring bottom line results.  So, with so few companies following this course, you have the opportunity to stand out in the crowd with simple, solid project management skills.

For example, on a recent inventory project, the key to achieving a 35% reduction in inventory was tracking simple metrics (inventory ordered, inventory received and inventory shipped) and reminding project team members as to which items to focus on in order to achieve the reduction while maintaining high service levels.  No rocket science yet it “worked”.

2.    Rigorous Attention to Communication and Roadblocks. I might as well say “motherhood and apple pie” when I refer to communication as everyone understands communication is vital.  While working with my clients, I’ve found that it isn’t communication alone that does the trick. 

Actually, more communication is not always good – more useless or annoying communication can not only be ineffective but it also can cause project implementation issues.  Who wants to waste time or discuss unimportant items in relation to achieving the project goals?  No one. Yet, it isn’t uncommon.

On the other hand, effective communication is integral to project success.  For example, each project team member should understand the project goals and how their tasks fit into the goal.  Simple, effective, consistent communication delivers! 

Effective communication leads directly into proactively addressing roadblocks.  Those project teams that not only discuss roadblocks but address roadblocks succeed.  Since 80% of all projects fail to deliver the degree of intended results, this is an area to think about.  It isn’t complex, yet it requires the willingness to confront issues.  Will you be one of the 20%?

3.    Follow-up. I’m happy to admit that one of my keys to success has been follow-up.  Follow up trumps brilliance, a magnetic personality and a Harvard PhD.  Again, a simple concept, achievable by anyone yet rarely used. 

Follow up can achieve wonders.  For example, in a process improvement project, we were able to improve operational efficiencies by 10-20% with a simple follow up process.  In essence, we tracked ideas for improvement, followed up on progress on a daily basis, adjusted ideas/ plans as appropriate, followed up with appropriate resources and repeated the process.  Not complex yet it was hard work – and delivered results.

As businesses struggle to stand out in the crowd in the “new normal” business environment, it is imperative to leverage already-existing advantages.  As simple as it sounds, solid implementation skills can be hard to find within your organization; however, typically there is at least one gem within the rough.  Perhaps your competitive advantage will come from looking at your team with an eye to those who can implement.  Imagine what your business could achieve! 

Don’t forget to leave your comments below