Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are a comprehensive and complicated technology initiative implemented by companies in order to receive system-wide efficiencies by sharing common data across all business functions. These systems (Oracle and SAP are the largest 2) change the way people work/think/act by challenging the way they have previously done things.
Employees are naturally resistant to the imposed change. In order for the system implementation to be successfully launched, employees must buy into the importance of the initiative. To do this, the change team should:
- Communicate clear business objectives;
- Align around Standard Operating Procedures/Principles that outline best practice;
- Deliver End User training – clarifying the new concepts, practicing the application in their own contexts, reflecting on their experience.
How do you prepare naturally resistant employees for change?