Using Key Performance Indicators for Building a Strategy Focused Organization

By |December 18th, 2009|

The key performance indicator acronym (KPI) is used so much that it has come to be associated with any type of business measure. Everything is called a KPI, which distracts from its purpose as an important business tool. Not every measure is a KEY Performance Indicator, only those measures that are crucial to making a difference in the marketplace, your company health, and performance. Because of this confusion around Key Performance Indicators, businesses often use the wrong measurements. Too [...]

Using KPIs to Align Your SAP Business Case to Strategic Business Direction

By |December 18th, 2009|

On their first attempt, few companies see dramatic transformations with Key Performance Indicators. Many businesses or organizations eventually abandon the efforts because they start out with poor alignment between what they are measuring and the business value proposition or their underlying competitive pressures. Some companies eventually develop some great reports and a dashboard for their executives or senior managers. However, few companies effectively use a Key Performance Indicator in a [...]

Business Strategy and IT Strategy to Reproduce Apple Innovation

By |December 2nd, 2009|

What are the Apple Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs? Steve Jobs focused Apple innovation on competitive pressures and value propositions. He relentlessly focused organizational energy on customer-centered innovation and customer experience. In a nutshell, his innovation secret (if it can be called that) was the relentless pursuit of improving customer experience. As early as 2002, Steve Jobs told the world about his competitive strategy. During his statement, you can tell he was carefully evalu [...]

ERP and SAP Business Case for ROI, Business Benefit, and Success

By |November 23rd, 2009|

Your company’s SAP or ERP business case should start before your RFP, not just at a high level. Before ever issuing an SAP RFP, you need to take some time up front to get educated and develop some key understanding. Educated software buyers are more sophisticated in their research, and the more sophisticated you are, the better results you will receive. The more educated you are: The better the quality of the ERP RFI or RFP, The better choice you will make at vendor selection, The more objectiv [...]

Competitive Pressures and Value Propositions, Is Lean the Answer?

By |November 10th, 2009|

Modern technology allows international outsourcing, greater agility, quicker product design to market, and specialized focus on niche markets, lowering the barrier to entry for new competitors and causing more market specialization. On the flip side, customers have a wide variety of information from sellers and the Internet about products, design, services, options, pricing, and availability. Business is more dynamic than ever. Because of the pace of change, focusing on internal process improve [...]

ERP Business Case: Do You Really Need a New System?

By |November 1st, 2009|

In many cases, those pushing for a new ERP system are comparing the worst of the current environment to an idealistic ERP concept. Sometimes the best way to avoid a train wreck is not to get on the train. In other words, do you really need a new ERP system, and if so, is now the right time to proceed? Performing an honest and thorough assessment of business needs and alternatives is an important part of taking ownership in the ERP business case. These questions are not popular to ERP enthusiast [...]