Art of Consulting Podcast Andy Fry, Cat Lam

**Podcast Title:** "Mastering ERP Implementation: Insights from an OCM Expert"
 
**Show Notes:**
 
**Introduction:**
In this episode of Art of Consulting, we dive deep into the world of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) implementation with a focus on Organizational Change Management (OCM). Our special guest, Frederique Oberlin, an OCM extraordinaire with 18+ years of experience, shares invaluable insights and wisdom gained from various ERP projects.
 
**Episode Highlights:**
 
1. **Understanding Organizational Change Management (OCM):**
   - Frederique defines OCM as the people side of a software implementation, emphasizing the importance of bringing employees along the project journey from the beginning rather than surprising them with a new system at the end.
 
2. **Challenges in ERP Implementation:**
   - The conversation highlights how employees sometimes create their own processes outside of the ERP system, known as "shadow IT," due to various reasons like system limitations or lack of training.
 
3. **Measuring Success in ERP Implementation:**
   - Frederique discusses key metrics for measuring success, such as assessing training effectiveness, tracking post-Go Live support tickets, and ensuring users are adopting the system as intended.
 
4. **Proactive Change Management:**
   - The importance of proactive change management is emphasized, including the concept of the ADKAR journey (Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, Reinforcement) and how it aids in preparing employees for change.
 
5. **Hypercare:**
   - Hypercare, the critical period immediately following Go Live, is explained as a time when additional support is crucial. Frederique shares strategies like deploying super users and providing a human presence for support, both in-person and virtually.
 
6. **Leadership's Role in OCM:**
   - Frederique advises leaders to engage in candid conversations with OCM experts, understanding the expectations and requirements for communication, training, and support. Leaders' active involvement in training can significantly impact the success of the project.
 
**Conclusion:**
Organizational Change Management is a vital aspect of any ERP implementation, and proactive planning, effective training, and leadership involvement are key to a successful transition. We appreciate Frederique Oberlin for sharing her expertise on this essential topic. Connect with her on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederique-oberlin-86251712/
 
 
Stay tuned for more insightful episodes of Art of Consulting as we continue to explore the world of ERP and business transformation.
 

Welcome to the Art of Consulting, your go-to source for expert insights on mastering ERP success. Today we have a special guest with us, Andy, a highly experienced ERP consultant with over 25 years in the industry. 
 
In this episode, Andy shares invaluable insights into ensuring ERP project success. He emphasizes the importance of defining clear success metrics from the outset and keeping the project team aligned with a shared mission. Andy also highlights the critical need for project teams, both internal and external, to deeply understand the core business of the organization they are working with.
 
Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:
 
1. **Defining Success Metrics:** Andy stresses the significance of defining what success looks like for your ERP project. He suggests moving beyond generic statements like "on time, on budget, within scope" and instead encourages creating a detailed and tangible definition of success. 
 
2. **Shared Mission:** Establishing a clear project mission statement and ensuring everyone understands why the project is being undertaken is vital. Andy draws parallels with real-life examples, emphasizing the importance of everyone rowing in the same direction.
 
3. **Understanding the Business:** Whether you're an internal employee or an external consultant, understanding the core business of the organization is crucial. Andy explains that it's not just about what the business sells but identifying the primary revenue-generating functions and optimizing around them.
 
By the end of this episode, you'll have a deeper understanding of the key factors that contribute to ERP project success and how to apply these insights to your own projects.
 
So, if you're ready to master ERP success, stay tuned and let's dive into this enlightening conversation with Andy. Remember to subscribe to our podcast to get more expert insights on ERP and other related topics.
 
Thank you for joining us, and enjoy the episode!
 

"Ignite Your Mind: The Power of Active Exploration"
 
 
Welcome to another episode of "Art of Consulting" with Andy and Kat. Today, we're diving deep into the transformative magic of active exploration and the incredible ways it can spark creativity and open your mind. In our previous episode, we touched upon the concept of creativity and how engaging in novel activities can create new synaptic connections in your brain. But today, we're going to delve even further into this fascinating subject.
 
One key takeaway from our previous discussions is the importance of active participation. It's one thing to be a passive observer and witness something new, which can certainly have an impact on your mind. However, it's an entirely different experience when you actively participate in something kinetically. This hands-on approach not only accelerates your learning but also deepens your understanding.
 
So, why is active participation so crucial? Well, it helps you develop new learning pathways and skills that you might not encounter in your daily routine. For example, we discussed how trying out activities like parkour can introduce you to unique coaching styles and learning methods, which can be incredibly valuable when you're in a consulting role. Different clients and industries often require diverse approaches, and the ability to adapt and pivot is a hallmark of successful consultants.
 
Another important aspect of active exploration is the willingness to embrace new experiences without the expectation of perfection. Many adults tend to stifle their interests and curiosities because they're afraid of not being good at something right away. However, it's essential to let go of the need to excel from the start. Remember, it's okay to make mistakes and learn as you go along.
 
Finally, we encourage you to reconnect with your passions and interests, even if they don't align with your current career path. Whether you've always been intrigued by cars, fascinated by butchering techniques, or simply curious about a wide range of topics, there's no harm in exploring these interests for the sheer joy of learning. You might just uncover a hidden talent or a source of happiness you never expected.
 
So, in summary, keep your mind open and receptive to new experiences, actively engage in activities that pique your interest, don't be discouraged by initial imperfections, and remember that exploring your passions is a worthy endeavor in itself. 
 

Introduction:
In this podcast episode, hosts Andy and Cat dive deep into the significance of rest for self-employed consultants. They discuss the mental and financial aspects of taking breaks, setting rates, and building a sustainable consulting career. Whether you're a seasoned consultant or considering a career in consulting, this episode offers valuable insights to help you achieve a balanced and prosperous consulting lifestyle.
 
Episode Highlights:
 
1. **The Need for Rest (00:02:20)**
   - Andy and Cat emphasize the importance of taking breaks, even for self-employed consultants.
   - They draw parallels between consultants and athletes, highlighting the necessity of rest and recovery in both fields.
   - Cat shares her personal experience of feeling recharged after taking a break and how it positively impacted her mindset.
 
2. **Visualizing Success (00:11:45)**
   - The hosts discuss the power of visualization and the effectiveness of vision boards.
   - Cat shares a story about how visualizing a reward helped her stay motivated during a challenging project.
   - They stress the idea that having a clear vision of your goals can provide the mental energy needed to overcome obstacles.
 
3. **Financial Planning for Consultants (00:21:05)**
   - Andy and Cat delve into the financial aspect of being a consultant.
   - They suggest calculating your hourly bill rate by considering factors like sick days, vacation time, and taxes.
   - Cat recommends basing your calculations on ten months of work per year and accounting for potential downtime.
 
4. **Setting a Floor Rate (00:28:45)**
   - The hosts explain the concept of a floor rate, which represents the minimum rate needed to maintain your desired lifestyle.
   - They emphasize the importance of factoring in expenses like taxes, insurance, and savings into your consulting rate.
   - Cat underscores that setting a realistic floor rate is crucial for long-term financial stability.
 
5. **Balancing Work and Personal Interests (00:35:15)**
   - Andy and Cat discuss the significance of cultivating personal interests and hobbies outside of work.
   - They stress that finding productive and enjoyable activities can lead to personal growth and a more fulfilling life.
   - Cat highlights the importance of trying new things to stimulate mental growth and well-being.
 
Conclusion:
In this episode, Andy and Cat stress the importance of rest, financial planning, and personal growth for self-employed consultants. They encourage listeners to prioritize mental and physical well-being, visualize their goals, and set realistic financial expectations. Balancing work and personal interests is key to building a successful and fulfilling consulting career.
 

In this episode, you will understand the worth of taking the time to be with high performers. Andy talks about the observations made on the effect of spending time with high performers and low performers, which definitely has an effect. 
 
Tune in and gain tips on how to find and productively spend time with high performers, and reap the benefits of growth personally and professionally.



Quotes:
“When We Spend Time With People Who Are Successful In Whatever It Is They're Doing, We Are Going To Be More Likely Successful.”
“Extroverts, Be Careful Who You Spend Time With, Sometimes Our Need To Regenerate Our Energy, We Search For Anybody.”
“We Want To Make Sure That We Are Emulating The Right People And Spending Time With The Right People In The Right Areas That We Want To Actually Improve.”
 
Show Notes:
(00:00) Podcast Intro 
(00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You’re Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values 
(01:19) Observations Around Spending Time With High Performers
(03:42) Catching Ourselves When We’re The Negative Person In The Room
(05:48) Finding High Performers Around You
(06:40) Introverts Vs. Extroverts
(08:23) Being Careful How And Who You Spend Your Time With
(10:51) Spending Time With The Right People In The Right Areas That We Want To Improve  
(11:32) Andy’s New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers
 

In this episode, Andy shares his thought about the value of being intentional in using social media. He talks about how the social media’s algorithm feeds us with suggestions that are sometimes counterproductive and how consuming those harms us over the long term.
 
Learning to be intentional about what you’re watching on social media will keep you from being fed information that is not helpful. Make sure to check out this episode.



Quotes:
“The Issue I Have With It Is That It's [Social Media] Telling Us What We Should Watch. And It's Telling Us, And In Many Cases, How We Should Behave.”
“We Have To Be Very Intentional About What We Choose.”
“When We Look At Things, We Have To Ask Ourselves, Is This Serving Us? Is This Just A Time Killer? Or Is It Something That Is Actually Going To Harm Us?”
“Small Doses Of Counterproductive Information Harms Us, It Harms Us Over The Long Term.”
“Be Very Careful About What It Is That You Look For, Where You Spend Your Time. And What You Scan For When You're Using Social Media.” 
 
Show Notes:
(00:00) Podcast Intro 
(00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You’re Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values 
(01:19) How Instagram Or Social Media Algorithm Works
(02:51) Being Fed All Sorts Of Suggestions On Social Media
(05:42) We Have To Be Intentional About What We Choose To Watch
(07:16) The Algorithm Is Watching Us
(07:56) Intentionality Is Awareness
(08:16) Andy’s New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers