➡ BEGIN BY FORGING AN INTERNAL CONSENSUS among key constituencies in your company about what you are trying to achieve. One key question is how much of your system can be offsite in the cloud versus on-premises. You don’t want to change technical specifications after you launch. That can lead to cost overruns and delays, known as ERP “bloat.”
➡ PICK A TECHNOLOGY PARTNER CAREFULLY. Most SMEs will not deal directly with an SAP or Microsoft, but rather with one of their local channel partners. Rather than a vendor relationship, this is more like a marriage in which your partner will learn your innermost secrets. Check references to make sure the provider has strong service capabilities in your geographic area and knows your industry.
➡ WITH CLOUD SOLUTIONS, IT IS USUALLY BETTER to accept software that is considered industry best practice rather than insist on customized solutions. The more customization you have, the greater the challenges of maintaining integration as different underlying programs are updated by providers. “Customization of software in the SME space should be considered a four-letter word,” says SAP’s Kevin Gilroy.
➡ CONCENTRATE ON MAKING THE SYSTEM EASY TO USE. “The No. 1 reason for failure,” says Microsoft’s Gordon Macdonald, “is not poor software design. It’s because the folks in your organization don’t like using the tool and therefore don’t adopt it.”
➡ MAINTAIN C-LEVEL INVOLVEMENT in the implementation and take active ownership of the process, rather than relying exclusively on your partner. As the old adage goes, the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
0
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
