Key Results
Consolidated 20 systems, 90 modules, 300+ sub-modules, and
830 interfaces into a single global system
On-time and
on-budget
ERP Implementation
5,000 Staff
members
trained across four continents
Active
Hyper Care
Post-implementation support program
Reporting for
decision-making
through real-time dashboards
The Opportunity
Tackling Major System
Fragmentation with ERP Overhaul
A leading global publishing company, ranking 12th worldwide with 5,000 staff across four continents, faced a complex challenge. Their operations were hindered by a fragmented system landscape, comprising 20 different systems with numerous modules and interfaces. This complexity led to inefficiencies, manual data integrations, and a lack of standardization across their three major business lines. Moreover, critical business data was siloed within these disparate systems, making it difficult to gain a holistic view of the organization and impeding informed decision-making.
Recognizing the need for change, the company embarked on an ambitious ERP implementation project. We partnered with them to develop and execute a comprehensive change management and communications strategy. This strategy was crucial to support the project team and stakeholders through a multi-release schedule spanning over two years, with a key focus on integrating data from across the organization to enhance transparency and decision-making capabilities.
The Solution
Integrating Communication, Training, and Support for
Effective Change Management
Faced with a complex ERP implementation challenge, we developed a transformative approach tailored to our client’s unique needs and strategies. We assembled a dedicated team of client staff, system integrators, and change management experts, focusing solely on the ERP implementation to avoid scope creep and resource conflicts. This holistic approach resulted in an ERP implementation that not only drove system changes but also supported broader cultural and strategic goals, delivering a solution that resonated with the organization’s DNA and propelled them toward their business objectives.
Key Components of the Solution
Comprehensive Interviews
We conducted in-depth interviews across all organizational levels, gaining crucial insights into business operations. This approach ensured the ERP system not only enhanced existing workflows but also aligned with the overall business strategy. The thorough interview process resulted in a solution that was technically robust, culturally fitting, and strategically aligned, ensuring organizational coherence.
Success Driver: In-depth, cross-organizational engagement
90-Minute Pilot Sessions
Our innovative ‘Conference Room Pilots’ gave stakeholders a voice in the ERP design process. These concise, 90-minute collaborative sessions allowed for rapid iterations and quick feedback loops. By involving users early and often, we generated excitement and buy-in, leading to higher adoption rates and a system that truly met the organization’s needs.
Success Driver: Collaborative user feedback loops and increased stakeholder buy-in
Prioritizing Reporting
We prioritized strategic reporting needs from the start, reverse-engineering our ERP system to match business requirements. By identifying key data points driving organizational strategy, we designed a system capturing relevant information across all units. This approach integrated siloed data, improved reporting capabilities, and aligned with business objectives. The result was immediate value demonstration, higher adoption rates, and a data-driven foundation supporting both daily operations and long-term strategic decision-making.
Success Driver: Early team engagement and proactive data design
Active Hyper Care
Our Active Hyper Care program extended client support beyond implementation, offering 24/7 access to real people for immediate assistance. This responsive support quickly resolved issues, minimizing business disruptions. Feedback gathered through Active Hyper Care enabled continuous system improvement, ensuring it evolved with organizational needs.
Success Driver: 24/7 responsive support and continuous feedback collection
Post-implementation, we oversaw an “Active Hyper Care” support program. This provided end users with readily available subject matter experts to address questions and issues, ensuring a smooth transition and building user confidence in the new system.
– Sondra Leibner
Managing Director: Transformational Leader and Strategic Visionary
The Results and Impact
Driving Global Efficiency and Business Success Through
Strategic Implementation
The ERP implementation transformed the company’s global operations, simplifying its system landscape, standardizing processes, and improving data transparency across four continents. Our unique approach yielded exceptional results that directly addressed the initial challenges and leveraged our innovative solutions to drive business value.
Global System Unification
We successfully consolidated 20 disparate systems into a single, cohesive ERP platform, on time and on budget – a first for this global publishing leader. This achievement set new standards for efficiency and laid the foundation for streamlined operations across all international markets, enhancing the company’s competitive position in the global publishing industry.
Worldwide Workforce Enablement
Leveraging our comprehensive interview process and innovative 90-minute pilot sessions, we successfully trained 5,000 staff members across four continents. This global engagement ensured that employees at all levels and locations were equipped to leverage the new system effectively, fostering a culture of efficiency and cross-border collaboration that significantly improved operational cohesion.
Data-Driven Global Decision Making
A key component of the strategy was a “Just in Time” training approach. This combined face-to-face classroom sessions with online learning and on-the-job training, tailored to each user’s role and needs. This method ensured that employees received relevant training just before they needed to apply their new skills, minimizing knowledge loss.
Operational efficiency and organization transparency
Data from 20 systems was integrated into a single platform, improving accessibility and consistency globally. This eliminated silos, reduced duplicates, and created a single source of truth. The resulting transparency enabled accurate forecasting, better resource allocation, and improved cross-departmental collaboration. Leaders now access real-time data for informed decision-making and swift market responses, enhancing strategic planning and operational efficiency.
This strategically aligned ERP implementation addressed the initial challenges of system fragmentation, data silos, and lack of standardization across the company’s global operations. By leveraging innovative approaches tailored to the client’s international scope and focusing on comprehensive data integration, we delivered a solution that resonated with the organization’s global DNA. This approach not only streamlined operations but also fostered a culture of data-driven decision-making, propelling the company toward its business objectives in the competitive worldwide publishing market.
