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Home | ERP Trends to watch in 2019

In 2019, there are new trends that will affect how the enterprise optimize operations, automate tasks, streamline processes and increase profit. For an enterprise that makes use of ERP software’s, there are new trends to watch out for in 2019. The software which is considered to be a core system has been forecasted to grow globally to $47B by 2022.
However, with the recent advancement in technology all over the globe, so many organizations may find it difficult to evolve and adapt to new trends in ERP in 2019. To ensure your ERP system remain relevant in 2019, here are some new trends to consider.

Disruption by new ERP startups: In the new year, it is expected that there will be stiff competition from new SAAS startup and a proliferation of new trends that will disrupt how enterprise gather data, simplify the task and automate processes. New startups have been founded with the aim of building solutions that are more appealing to users. Startups like Financial Force which was established in 2009, already have over 1300 ERP customers. Also, new technological solutions like data visualization, Artificial intelligence and big data will definitely alter how ERP systems are built and used.
ERP, SaaS, and Hybrid ERP: Many organizations are already upgrading from the traditional ERP system which stores apps in the company’s server and make the enterprise responsible for the cost of hardware maintenance, data backup and recovery to Saas based apps which are stored in the cloud, less expensive, and quicker to update. Also, with Hybrid ERP systems, ERP customers can now move some ERP functions to the cloud while having a secure and tight on-premises control over other features.
ERP and Digital Marketing: In the past, ERP was focused solely on operations than marketing. In 2019, there are indications that direct marketing and the use of social media will be incorporated into new ERP systems this is due to the massive user base of various social media channels. Already social media has simplified ways in which businesses operate; for instance, HR managers can recruit new candidates, and check for their background on social media.
ERP for the Subsidiary: Most organizations that have subsidiaries in different parts of the world can make use of ERP systems delivered through the cloud to manage the entire enterprise and deploy pieces that make sense at any particular location. This makes it easy for the enterprise to deploy SaaS-based tools incrementally through the cloud and helps businesses to monitor SaaS ERP performance.
The Internet of Things: With the Internet of Things, more devices are now connected to the Internet, and more data will also be channelled into the ERP systems in order to provide a better advantage to the enterprise. This data can give you a quick insight into your supply chain system, appliance performance, shipping partners and help in the decision making process.

Finally, the recent technological advancements all over the globe are clear indications that change has come to the ERP system. Therefore enterprises must brace up to embrace this change or be caught off guard in 2019

Home | Top Benefits of ERP for the Manufacturing Industry

Due to the competitive and complex nature of the manufacturing industry, every manufacturing firm that wants to succeed and gain competitive advantage must have an integrated solution that can help to optimize operations, automate tasks, streamline processes and increase profit.

With complete manufacturing software like Enterprise Resource Planning (EPR), Manufacturing firms can advance all aspect operations from production, storage, procurement, quality testing, and supply. In addition, all departments can be integrated into single software that is customized to meet the unique need of the organization.

Benefits of ERP for the manufacturing industry

Some of the benefits of ERP for the manufacturing industry include the following:

Collaborative Environment: ERP systems can streamline business processes so that data from various departments can be accessed through a single central database, which implies that all staffs can communicate using a single platform. In addition, ERP systems enable manufacturing firms to share production-related information with their suppliers and distributors, thereby creating a collaborative environment that increases efficiency and builds a better client relationship.
Better Planning and Decision Making: ERP systems enable employees from various departments to gain access to accurate information in real time. By doing this,it empowers management to make smart and agile decisions, while providing in-depth insight that gives you an edge over your competitors.
Reduce Costs: Manufacturing companies are large organizations that have so many departments which may put them at risk of wasting money on unnecessary and duplicated task. However, with a centralized database that all departments can access, every manufacturing firm can reduce operating and administrative cost while increasing efficiency and streamlined processes.
Customer Satisfaction: Increased productivity, better communication among various departments, enhanced inventory control, and better coordination among distribution channels all lead to timely delivery of products which is essential for any manufacturing firm that wants to gain competitive advantage and increase its customer’s base. With ERP systems enables manufacturing firms to can integrate and deliver positive customer experience.
Better Control and Coordination: Another benefit of ERP systems to manufacturing industry is that they provide an updated picture of the core business processes and how they are interacting, leading to a more coordinated department and increased efficiency. This information can be viewed remotely anywhere in the world using a PC, Smartphone or tablet.
Scalability and flexibility: Modern ERP systems are flexible and adaptable; they can also be customized to meet the need of the organization. In addition, ERP systems make business growth easy to handle because it can comfortably accommodate extra resources and functions without the need to buy a new solution when the business expands.

Finally, with the competitive and ever-growing nature of the manufacturing industry, every manufacturing firm that wants to succeed and gain competitive advantage must leverage on the benefits that ERP systems offer in optimizing operations, automating tasks, streamlining processes and increasing profit. Don’t forget that ERP systems can also be integrated into a single software that is customized to meet the unique need of your organization.

Home | Simple Rules to Making a Successful Business Introduction

In today’s world, introductions have become more important both in our personal and professional lives. But many of us think that introductions are not everyone’s cup of tea. However, this notion is completely false, and you must take the leadership role to make your brand and business prosperous.

In business, there is nothing more powerful than a compelling introduction. This is a thing that you need to take care of with utmost professionalism. Here are some effective measures you can take to make any business introduction more effective:

Double opt-in works the best:

Single opt-in introductions can come as a surprise to both or either of the persons, and it is lazy as well. Double opt-in is the best and non-lazy way of introducing two people to each other. You give other people a choice and a solid reason to meet the other person. And they both can benefit from each other’s experience.

Consider the rank:

A business introduction is a social act, and you have to consider the ranks, professionalism, and power of both the parties. For a higher ranked professional, you have to write in more of a requesting tone. For a person having low rank, it becomes more of a duty to attend the conversation.

Make it simple and real:

Do not make the situation complex by adding too much data. Write to the point and only talk about business. When it comes to deciding the time for the meeting, give them 5 to 6-time slots in a week or month to choose from. Again prefer the time suggested by the higher ranked person, respect the rank and you’ll surely find success. Don’t make them do the work. Don’t ask them to suggest times, don’t ask them to pick a time off of your online calendar tool.

Show gratitude:

Thank your colleague for the introduction. If a conversation develops into something more, be sure to re-thank the colleague who introduced you to keep them in the loop and aware.

Business introductions are the single most powerful way to make new connections and have them turn into real opportunities. Treat them with care and respect they deserve.

Home | Benefits of Cloud ERP System for a Small Business

With technological advancements making our lives easier day by day it is highly doubtful that any field of life has been left unaffected. We have increased the efficiency of doing things in every field of life including business. Things like data collection and analysis that previously used to take hours or even days can now be done within seconds by just one click of a button. Many small business owners have stopped the old practices of bookkeeping and handling accounts manually and have shifted to ERP systems instead. These Enterprise Resource Planning systems are a life saver for owners of small businesses because they are quick and effective and increase the overall efficiency of the whole business. ERP systems are now greatly developed and come with a multitude of features and most of the small and medium scale businesses are of the view that cloud-based ERP systems are extremely beneficial for them. There are multiple benefits of a cloud ERP system for small business, some of which are discussed below.

Security:

Data theft is one of the biggest challenges to small businesses and there is a long debate on whether on-premise ERP systems have better security features or could ERP but most of the business owners think that cloud ERP systems have proven to be more safe and secure. As all the information is stored on a cloud they are required to have stricter security checks which in turn makes data more secure. Another advantage of cloud ERP system is that by using it you can restrict the flow of data to some people in your company. Everyone cannot access all the data that is uploaded on the server. This feature makes it all the more secure because the risk of data theft from within the organization is greatly reduced.

Productivity:

One of the major concerns of small business owners is that introducing a new technology in the business can interrupt the normal functioning of the business for some time. While this might be true for only a little while it has been proven by various success stories that incorporation of cloud ERP systems has resulted in a significant increase in productivity of any business. With an effective ERP system in place, everything becomes streamlined, no time is wasted on useless tasks, employees have access to all the files that they need and they don’t have to get from one department to another searching for files. This not only saves time but also increases productivity.

Cheaper than In-House IT department:

For small businesses implementing and maintaining an in-house IT department is not only not required it can be very expensive too. When you think about the cost of all the hardware, software, IT experts, office space, electricity bill etc. the whole picture becomes very clear that for small businesses cloud ERP system is the best choice. The monthly fee of a cloud ERP system is a very good cost-effective solution for small business owners to get all the benefits of a fully equipped IT department at a fraction of the cost.

If you are interested in learning about ERP system to help you grow your small business, we would love to speak with you. With the right, trusted technology partner by your side, we can improve your production, productivity and profitability. Call ERP Advisers today!

Home | Be A Master To Your Own Destiny

A permanent solution to constant struggles:

Do you ever find yourself getting along with misery? You know you are doomed, but you don’t care. You don’t know what you are saying, why you are saying, and to whom you are speaking.

You also realize that people aren’t really excited to be around you anymore and you try your best to overlook…but you can’t. Well, the problem is within you and we are here to take care of that. Commit yourself to the words below, and see the difference!

You need to recharge, just like your phone:

Everyone needs a soft corner inside their head where they can stretch their roomy happiness to infinity levels. It’s different for everyone; introverts prefer to lock themselves up in their rooms and submerge themselves into novels and music or they can probably opt for a long walk whereas extroverts want to indulge themselves into public discussions, and being around people. Know what floats your boat and recharge your precious self!

Your heart is important, and so is your brain:
‘When life gives you lemons, make a lemonade‘. It is not just a quote; it can be a reality as well. All you have to do is know your brain well.
The lower part of the brain, ‘ reactive brain ‘ is mostly responsible for involuntary actions so you can’t really do anything about it.
The upper part of our brain, ‘ thinking brain ‘ is where we can change our game of life. It is in our control, and with practice, we can actually rewire our brain to make better decisions.

Communication is an art, be an artist:

When facing a large audience, try your best to REFRAIN from the following points:

Carelessness: Acting care free won’t really help you. Keep your tone professional!
Complication: If you know how to simplify, you can really be the boss.
Confusion: You choose to illustrate your thoughts when you are still not beyond the thinking process? Not a smart move, dude.
Inconsistency: Have consistency. Your level of tone should be the same as everyone.
Callousness: Being selfish won’t really get you anywhere. Respect the time people are investing in you.
Overconfidence: We know you are a know it all but here is a tip: keep it to yourself!

Keep your priorities straight:

There are things you would gladly compromise your sleep for and things not worth your alarm ring. The beauty here lies in the correct identification towards what is rightly vital for you which in return would shape your approaches towards your goals of life. A tip here is being rational while sorting!

Sit back, but only to stand later:

Leading comes later, thinking comes first. Before taking a stand, take a step behind and work on the following points:

Know your purpose.
Question and listen.
Do not hesitate to experiment.
Reflect and initiate.
Think out of the box.
Have a slow meaningful pace.
Be authentic.

An overview:

To conclude, you can unleash the perfect version of yourself if you take your heart and brain wherever you go.

By practicing to be self-disciplined and organized, strong relationships are soon on their way for you. Keep your passion of life burning, and learn to play with the fumes!

Home | HOW TO BE A GREAT LEADER

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” John C. Maxwell

Anyone can be a boss but only few master the art of becoming a true leader. When you’re offered leadership, or you become the first-in-line of the chain of command, your employees who used to be your co-workers before, get this “instinct” of fear. They’ll have to obey your orders or do as told by you or else there’ll be consequences. As a business leader, you have the power to change this mindset of your employees by your actions that you’re not here to rule on them but to lead them towards success.

But the findings over the past decade reveal that almost 82 percent of front line leaders are rated as incompetent in skills and capabilities as leaders while 80 percent of them are dissatisfied with handling the reigns of the organization. The reason for this is because business leaders are not given any sort of formal training before getting the job. There is no coursework in education institutions that teaches “leadership”. You only learn by experience from your predecessors or your own mistakes.

Without being too hard on yourself and failing in your initial days, there are some of the practices that you can adopt to become or at least try to become a good business leader.

Carol Dweck states in her book Mindset that there are two principal mindsets bosses and business leaders are surrounded by. First is a fixed mindset, which makes people believe that only their innate abilities, intellect, talent and hard work will lead them towards success. They have to learn everything beforehand in order to be better than everyone else. Second one is a growth mindset and people having this believe that mistakes are not failure but a lifelong experience. They think their skills can be developed with time through learning, training and determination.

Research clearly demonstrates that leaders with a growth mindset are much better off and valued by their employees than leaders with a fixed mindset. You can change your mindset as a business leader and your relationship with your employees in the following ways.

As a leader your organization’s success “as a whole” is much more important than just your personal recognition. So, focus more on the words like “WE” and “US” than “I” in your verbal communications and even business proposals to some client. Phrases like “My team has presented this” or “We all have worked together very hard” really boost up the morale of your employees and encourage them to do better.
Be approachable enough that your employees can come to you for help when really in the time of need but not “too friendly”, that someone can take advantage of you and not recognize your authority. Whether you are a project manager or the head of the IT department, be clear about everyone’s role no matter if it’s your best work buddy or a new employee.
Leave behind your “I-know-it-better” attitude. As we said earlier, have a growth mindset. You don’t want to be that boss that doesn’t even listen to what any of his employees have to say about a certain project. Encourage your staff to speak up their minds during business meetings even when they’re wrong. Show them that you’ve trust in them by delegating authority among competent employees. This way they’ll work hard and increase their productivity to get your recognition which would eventually be beneficial for the organization.
Fairness is a key to become a good business leader. But it doesn’t always mean equality. Treating people differently is okay as long as you treat all of them fairly. Giving advantages to everyone in your team because there are people with whom you’ve good relations in your personal life, even though some of them didn’t perform up to their ability would be unfair to people who really worked hard, resulting in incompetent employees and a dysfunctional working environment.

For more blogs on all things technology, business, success and leadership, be sure to follow ERP Advisers.

Home | Improving Employee Productivity with ERP Systems

Improving Employee Productivity with ERP Systems

Enterprise resource planning systems (ERP) are acknowledged time and money savers, but many businesses underestimate them as an efficient way to engage and manage their most important resources—employees.

The engagement process begins with providing your workforce with timely and useful information. When asked, most employees will say that their workflow greatly benefits when they are plugged in and kept abreast of important information.

This boosts their satisfaction and their productivity. An integrated ERP system manages stakeholder connections, making it easy for all relevant parties to see the big picture and the small picture. Simply put, it facilitates information flow and sharing throughout a business, while ensuring that corporate goals can be met.

Merging Processes

By merging core processes, from finance, to manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, and human resources, an ERP system simplifies management and ensures up-to-date information and decision making. It also makes employees an integral part of the process—something engaged employees actually want.

ERP systems help ensure business streamlining and efficiency. Why waste valuable resources (human or otherwise) in one area of your business, when your ERP collated data tells you exactly where resources are needed? Take inventory management for example.

ERP systems manage market fluctuations and supply chain issues by providing a steady flow of real-time information. No need to guess, or pour over multiple spreadsheets and databases, the right ERP platform will automate the process, save time and efficiently direct labor.

Productivity Boost

ERP systems are proven productivity boosters and, let’s face it, money savers. They reduce costs by identifying areas where improvements and alignments can be made. And their flexibility can’t be beat. ERP systems can be set up as Cloud-based models, in-house data centres, and hybrid cloud and in-house systems. Each has its benefits, including ease of data analytics. There’s an ERP module for every type and size of business.

If you are interested in improving your bottom line and engaging your employees with a custom ERP system, give ERP Advisers a call today. We’d be happy to do a complimentary business assessment.

Home | If you are too busy to install ERP software for your venue, than it’s really a sign that you NEED one!

We hear this line all the time from prospects and business owners of venues: “Your technology/ ERP software would really help us but we are too busy at the moment to implement anything like this”. It’s true that the seasonality of events is giving way to a year-long cycle where event and wedding venues are busier and busier.

This makes having an all-in-one platform for events & weddings even more important to the overall success of your venue.

The reality is, if you are too busy to invest in ERP software that will significantly lighten your workload, improve your operations and bottom line, then you especially need to make the investment. The problem is that misconceptions exist about just how disruptive such an implementation is to venues.

Here are 3 big misconceptions about implementing ERP system in a hospitality business:

Implementation is too time-consuming

This isn’t a sales technique, an empty promise meant to trick you into adding another item to the to-do list. If you are struggling to manage your email inbox, the contracts take weeks to send out, and the venue tours and show-arounds are frequently time-wasting no-shows – think how much time you could save with an effective technology system in place.

The truth is that implementation is not time-consuming. We start out with an implementation road-map for your venue, having discussed your current process and structure. We also want to know you can manage inquiries and bookings well. Then we set-up your account as discussed and input your data, from ongoing inquiries to your database of contacts. Finally, we hold a training session. After that we work closely with you to add in training and guidance on other features your venue will benefit from.

If I told you that in exchange for 2 to 3-hours of your time, I could save you 20 plus-hours over the next few weeks, chances are you wouldn’t believe me but I would love to show you how!

I’d love this, but my team (in some cases the owner) is not as tech-savvy

People don’t give themselves or their team-members enough credit. Opinions of software are based upon older generation products in the hospitality sector and can be really easy to leverage.

If you can navigate a smartphone, you’ll be able to navigate an internal technology system.

My events program has been growing, without a platform

Amazing! This is a testament to your hard-work and the sweat and tears you’ve put in. But even if you feel your wedding and events program has maxed out and you couldn’t possibly do any more of either (or you simply don’t want to), you have to consider the other benefits of a centralized system.

For example, a lot of busy event venues we work with experienced issues with staff retention. The stress of overflowing inboxes, the occasional difficult bride and groom, and the constant flow of paperwork, is a significant contributor to burnout.

Having a centralized, all-in-one, cloud-based platform is a huge relief to all of the above. Richard Branson is fond of saying “If you look after your staff, they’ll look after your customers. It’s that simple.” We couldn’t agree more with him. A lot of that starts with giving them the tools they need. Take the next steps in investing the in the growth of your business. ERP Advisers would love to be your trusted partner.

Home | Strategies to helping clients select the right ERP System for the growth of their organization

The secret to providing value and advising the client on the winning ERP system is simple if you follow the strategies below:

1 – Do your research

Industry and competitive research should be completed to have a full understanding of how the organization works and can do better. Comprehensive site check, facility tour, interviews with the key parties are extremely important in order to identify company’s challenges and operational flow.

2 – Be prepared and adopt an advisor mindset

Customers and prospect have greater knowledge than ever. Ask questions and suggest items that provide value. Trust is a key to making a large purchasing decision. Today’s ERP experts need to be prepared to interact with highly informed individual and offer personalized advice to enhance what they already know.

3 – Listen

Successful ERP advisors are genuinely helpful. Listen closely to what your customer is saying and respond with solutions that meet those needs. You will lose credibility if you don’t show understanding of customer’s unique needs and challenges.

When it comes to selecting the right ERP consultant, businesses have a lot of choices. Following these simple strategies will help you build trust and offer the best value to your client.

Home | How Do Leaders Become Self-Aware?

Self awareness is understanding your own strengths and weaknesses as a person. The idea that self awareness is important to true success isn’t new; Dale Carnegie said as much in his 1936 bestseller “How To Win Friends and Influence People” when he wrote that one should talk about one’s own mistakes before criticizing another person. The key issue is how to become more self aware. Here are three keys from Anthony K. Tjan’s recent article in Harvard Business Review:

Test and Know Yourself Better. Personality tests like Myers-Briggs, Predictive Index, and Strengths Finder have gained popularity in recent years, for good reason. The tests are not perfect measures or predictors, but they facilitate self-reflection, which leads to better self-awareness.

Watch Yourself and Learn. In the classic Harvard Business Review article, “Managing Oneself,” Peter Drucker wrote, “Whenever you make a decision… write down what you expect will happen. 9 or 12 months later, compare the results with what you expected.” Drucker called this self-reflection process feedback analysis and said it was the “only way to discover your strengths.” Many successful people follow similar practices: Warren Buffett, for example, has made it a habit for years to write down the reasons why he is making an investment decision and later look back to see what went right or wrong.

Be Aware of Others, too. Self-awareness is crucial when building a team. Knowing your natural strengths and weaknesses makes you a better leader. But you also must be an acute observer of others’ strengths and weaknesses. Effective teams are made up of people who both understand and complement each other.

You cannot be good at every skill needed for success. Knowing your own strengths and weaknesses enables you to capitalize on your strengths and improve on your weak areas, and also helps you have empathy for others – an essential component of emotional intelligence