Right Mindset in Starting Your Business Process Automation

60%+ of business process automation or ERP software implementation fail. That\’s a big risk for any SME who wants to adopt digitalization. It is not only a waste of time but also a waste of resources.

To me, the first step to ensure the success of any business process automation is the proper mindset of the owner or the top management.  

After helping hundreds of companies in implementing ERP systems in the past 20 years, I saw the pattern, and below is my take on the proper mindset in automating the process of your business. 

1. Be Ready to Listen – Listening has to be three-way. Determine your needs, gather the needs of each department, and be open to third-party subject matter experts. They can be software vendors or implementation consultants. Collate helpful thoughts and then decide. You are responsible for making sure all parties involved will work together with good chemistry and aligned in one goal. Remember, the software will not do this for you.
2. Be Agile – The tendency of most business owners is to try to cover all aspects in one shot. While in a perfect world that’s the ideal but it is close to impossible to have everything automated. No ERP software that fits all. That’s why most software versions are enhanced and improved regularly. Breakdown the goals into chunks or sprints. Start with the system blueprint, prioritize, and execute. Implement automation in phases to get immediate ROI.
3. Be Vigilant – Roadblocks are inevitable in any business initiative. It can be conflicts between teams, scope creeping, or an employee who is not providing what is needed. As a project proponent, it is our job to not tolerate these issues, be vigilant in the hiccups, manage risks, and be decisive. You cannot delegate the project entirely to your team but do not micromanage as well. A Weekly or semi-monthly status update will do.

Now that you have this foundation and paradigm shift in automating your business, in my next posts, I will discuss how to prepare your team in business process automation and ERP implementation.

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