business process improvement Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Innovate. Integrate. Transform. Run.

Striving for a Customer Focused Approach to Innovation 2 of 3
Striving for a Customer Focused Approach to Innovation 2 of 3

Striving for a Customer Focused Approach to Innovation 2 of 3

By Bill Wood|March 29th, 2010|

Previously, we looked at the three primary types of innovation most often practiced today. I discussed two polar opposites, which I call the Stoic approach and the Maelstrom approach. The Stoic is more like continuous improvement, whereas the Maelstrom is more like blue-sky, directionless brainstorming. The third method is somewhere in between and strives for the ideal future state. That third method relies heavily on an innovation narrative. Innovation at the Point of Customer Frustration Prev [...]

Striving for a Customer Focused Approach to Innovation 1 of 3
Striving for a Customer Focused Approach to Innovation 1 of 3

Striving for a Customer Focused Approach to Innovation 1 of 3

By Bill Wood|March 26th, 2010|

If your company does any kind of innovation, how would you describe it? Stoic – slow, plodding, methodical, and generally consisting of small incremental improvements (minimalist). Stretch – evaluating current as well as future needs and wants of the customer with some structured framework for achieving a future state (striving). Maelstrom – creative “free-for-all,” sky’s the limit, and a “no holds barred” barrage of brainstorming and chaos (directionless). The Common Approach to Innovation, Ge [...]

ERP Consultants: Is the Promise of Knowledge Transfer just part of the Sales Pitch?
ERP Consultants: Is the Promise of Knowledge Transfer just part of the Sales Pitch?

ERP Consultants: Is the Promise of Knowledge Transfer just part of the Sales Pitch?

By Steve Phillips|February 10th, 2010|

Most ERP projects promise to transfer software knowledge from the consultants to the client. Once a project is over however, the client is often clueless about how to make software configuration changes, and may even struggle with performing basic transactions in the system. So what gives? Even though many aspire for successful knowledge transfer, most businesses lack a real strategy to make it more than just a dream. Secondly, when push comes to shove, we often set learning to the side and thi [...]

Business and IT Alignment – Integrating Technology and IT Spend with Business
Business and IT Alignment – Integrating Technology and IT Spend with Business

Business and IT Alignment – Integrating Technology and IT Spend with Business

By Bill Wood|February 5th, 2010|

Aligning technology to business requirements is based on a few underlying assumptions that are often lacking from SAP projects. Those assumptions are 1) the business actually knows what their requirements are, 2) the project scope includes those requirements, 3) the right management and internal employees are committed and engaged, and 4) the system integrator you select has consultants with the required experience. Often, I see businesses fail to look beyond operational excellence areas of the [...]

Why Indexed KPIs are Critical for Business Performance and Success
Why Indexed KPIs are Critical for Business Performance and Success

Why Indexed KPIs are Critical for Business Performance and Success

By Bill Wood|January 21st, 2010|

As I have written in previous articles, not every metric for business or processes is a KPI. Too many IT systems and too many companies define a departmental goal as a Key Performance Indicator, creating unnecessary friction among other departments or areas of the company. By using a weighted index, you significantly reduce, and in some cases eliminate, the competing requirements. As part of a continuing effort on using key performance indicators for building a strategy focused organization, I [...]

Breakthrough Project Success: 3 of 4, Vendor Selection and Contracts
Breakthrough Project Success: 3 of 4, Vendor Selection and Contracts

Breakthrough Project Success: 3 of 4, Vendor Selection and Contracts

By Bill Wood|January 18th, 2010|

7 steps to cut through the sales techniques used by vendors during the actual proposal and presentation process. Tactics, strategies, and techniques for getting past the sales pitches to the substance of the proposal and selecting the best possible IT system vendor for the best possible project results. These steps help to filter out the distracting information to focus on what really matters to your company.