For many SME manufacturers, scattered spreadsheets, disconnected systems, and the challenge of bringing teams along on the digital efficiency journey can be overwhelming. This episode addresses these issues by introducing the Fearless Digital Transformation framework.
In this special episode, we share a recent Flowlens webinar recording where our host, Rich Dale, CEO and founder of Flowlens (with nearly three decades in digital transformation for manufacturers), presented the framework. Rich believes in fostering cultures capable of evolving and adapting.
He was joined by an expert panel:
- Angela Fumpson from White Tiger Consulting, an executive business mentor focused on harmonising people and process.
- Oliver Caunt, Managing Director at JCS Nuclear Solutions, a UK-based SME manufacturing nuclear radiation sensing solutions.
- Marv Van Niekerk from Flowlens, with extensive experience in industry-wide digital transformation, including early digital accounting.
Watch this episode now:
Key Points in the Episode:
- The Fearless Framework: An overview of Flowlens’ framework to de-risk and sustain successful change projects, particularly with new software implementation.
- Foundations (Step 1): Success requires a strong foundation with clear business goals, a well-articulated vision of achieving those goals, and visible leadership commitment. Leaders must embrace and use new tools.
- Engagement (Step 2): Change must come from within, not be externally imposed, to avoid resistance. Involve your team in the vision, utilising process mapping and listening to where work truly happens to find effective solutions.
- Communication Over Technology: Team buy-in and communication are paramount, not just the technology itself. A top-down decision without team input is a “recipe for disaster”. An “internal sales job” is needed to secure buy-in across the business.
- Leadership and Champions: A director-level project sponsor who understands business strategy, alongside ground-level champions with ‘kudos’, is essential for driving change.
- Addressing Resistance: Resistance is often emotional and fear-driven, requiring continued support after the initial project as people question new methods. A detailed, compelling vision, framed in the team’s “new world,” can excite and motivate.
- JCS Nuclear Solutions: Real-World Transformation Journey (Oliver Caunt):
Catalyst: The impending retirement of their finance manager in 2001 prompted a process reassessment. - Problem: Daily interaction with 13 different spreadsheets across locations, consuming nearly two days of work weekly.
- Solution: Transitioned to cloud-based Xero, then integrated Flowlens MRP after trialling options. Flowlens provided a “sandbox” environment for the whole team to test processes and gain collective buy-in.
- Learnings: Intensive data cleansing was invaluable. JCS opted for off-the-shelf systems to avoid customisation pitfalls, which required a cultural shift their agile team embraced. Flowlens became the operational backbone, supported by Xero for finance.
What’s Next?
This episode highlights the importance of getting the foundations right for digital transformation, noting it’s never too late to revisit these fundamentals.
Further Reading & Resources
Download your free copy of the Fearless Digital Transformation book.
FEARLESS Digital Transformation for SME Manufacturers
Cut admin. Boost efficiency. Take control.
Struggling with outdated processes? Our expert-led eBook helps SME manufacturers take the fear out of digital transformation. Download your free copy today!
