Our Approach
With vast experience across multiple roles, Learning4Leaders is suitably qualified to provide support across the full breadth of financial challenges. We have helped clients deliver a range of financial objectives from tracing focused improvement benefits to the bottom-line through to building annual budgets. We understand that when undertaking any activity, it is essential to understand the true financial impact on your business.
We understand the importance of managing through numbers, but also appreciate that this can be daunting for some individuals. Our philosophy is to build this capability within individuals and teams, so they become able to govern their actions with full consideration for the financial implications.
A Request
Learning4Leaders was initially called in to support a medium sized business to evaluate its current processes and systems. The business, based in Ireland employs approximately 200 staff and manufactures a range of products in the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) market for national and international distribution, with customers ranging from small independent shops to large supermarkets.
Analysis and Recommendation
When analysing the business and the aspirations of the business, it immediately became apparent that the business had out-grown its current systems and processes and wanted to implement a solution that could be adapted and could grow with them. After reviewing the business’ setup, Learning4Leaders went to the market and reviewed and subsequently tendered for a new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system.
After reviewing the alternatives, Learning4Leaders made the recommendation to implement Microsoft Dynamics Navision and identified which Microsoft Partner to use. Happy with the scoping project, Learning4Leaders were then asked to become the internal project managers for the implementation of the project.
Learning4Leaders guided the scoping of the system with the chosen Microsoft partners. The initial scope of the project was to replicate the processes that had been used in the old system in the new system – ensuring that order to cash and purchase to payment flows were working.
Recommendation to Delivery
Throughout the project, Learning4Leaders used Prince 2 Project Management techniques and were able to ensure the project was delivered on time and to budget. There were numerous challenges along the way; for example EDI links to bring in sales orders, send invoices and the subsequent financial postings required in the system. Changing the system required considerable development of specifications and rigorous testing before final approval was given and the ‘go-live decision’ was made.
After the system went live, although the initial objective was to have the same functionality as the legacy system, the initial system implementation actually managed to better this. Processes such as posting sales to the general ledger that had previously had to be done in batches by customer overnight now became possible to post live as the dispatches left the building and end of month management accounts could be produced in a much more timely fashion.
The system went live almost seamlessly, with customers and suppliers not seeing a difference in terms of how the company processed purchase and sales orders and the company faced no delays in any payments. In fact, auditors commented on how quickly the project had been implemented and how good the results had been.
Ongoing Success
Since go-live Learning4Leaders have been involved in continued system and process development for this site through numerous improvement projects. As an example during the scoping process, issues in the company’s systems with one particular customer were identified. Through co-ordinating and working with six other providers, Learning4Leaders have managed to scope, project manage and deliver an automated sales order, production, dispatch and reconciliation process for the customer, which has managed to deliver reduced shrinkage through the supply chain from 3% to 0.025% and allowed invoicing to be conducted in a promptly manner after dispatch and right first time – significantly improving cash flow into the business.