With the rise of digital awareness, Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERP) have emerged as the go-to solution for African business owners and employees seeking to manage and automate core business processes. However, implementing an ERP system can be difficult due to a number of factors such as cost, job hopping, and system complexity.
A lot of time-consuming business processes are made easier by Enterprise Resource Planning systems. It is a must-have tool for any fast-growing company looking to optimize operations, boost performance, keep up with consumer demands, and scale operations.
In a conversation with a change management consultant at Stride ERP, it was revealed that the number one challenge slowing down digital transformation in Africa is the price models of many ERP systems. Many businesses operate in developing economies where the exchange rate discourages the purchase of ERP systems which must be purchased in dollars, monthly, or annually. Providing business owners with an affordable ERP solution in any local currency is one of the main reasons that prompted the creation of Stride ERP which offers highly effective synchronization and management of business operations.
Another challenge causing African businesses to struggle is the complexity of these ERP systems. Many ERP systems require expertise to be used effectively which can be a barrier for some businesses as managers are still getting used to technology and do not have time to invest in specialized training. Different businesses operate differently, and a complex ERP system may be hard to customize to suit their specific needs.
Job hopping comes right after system complexity. Changing jobs frequently in a short period of time is becoming increasingly popular and poses a significant challenge to ERP implementation in Africa. It discourages business owners from investing time and resources to train employees to use an ERP system, only to have them carry their knowledge and expertise with them to the next job within a short period of time.
Despite these obstacles, African businesses can overcome them and successfully implement ERP systems. One solution is Change Management. According to Stride ERP’s change management consultant, when free change management consultancy was introduced as part of the implementation process, the number of Stride ERP users increased dramatically. A change management consultant with experience in managing businesses in Africa can provide guidance and support throughout the implementation process.
Training and implementation should be done in stages to reduce disruption and confusion, beginning with the most critical processes and gradually expanding the system as the business becomes more comfortable with it. Customization services are available to ensure that the system is configured to meet the exact requirements of the business.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to job hopping, but employers can offer appealing benefits and compensation to retain valuable employees who may be lured away by competing businesses.
To summarize, African businesses can successfully implement and reap the benefits of efficient business management, improved decision-making, and high performance with the right approach and technical support. Business owners must ensure that their ERP system is always running on the latest version. This will prevent problems caused by outdated software.