1. Manage from the Top Down
Before embarking on any digital transformation project with your ERP system, ensure every person on your leadership team buys into it. This will help position the project internally with leadership stakeholders and align internal communication throughout the organization, creating excitement and kick-off for positive adoption.
2. Identify Internal Project Champions
The earlier you share the change, the more time people have to adapt. It’s essential to have some positive project champions to start spreading the word and creating excitement for the launch. Your champions are not always going to be on the project management team; however, they can be connected or are communication leaders in the organization.
3. Start Early with End User Benefits
Sharing the value and end-user benefits early in the project will accelerate the adoption on launch day. You can do this by hosting short informational sessions at weekly huddles or monthly town halls. These small actions are vital to the integration process and result in higher launch adoption.
4. Build Training into the Schedule
Training the end user might seem like common sense; all too often, this critical stage is either assumed or rushed. When you plan your training sessions, identify the end-users strengths to maximize the sessions, provide reinforcement and ensure they understand, you are setting the stage for success. If possible, hands-on training in a sandbox environment is ideal and reduces anxiety. This will also build confidence in the end-users for when the system goes live.