Art Of Consulting Podcast

**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. **

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 a

"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 mi

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 rewa

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

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 Med

In this episode, we are with Cat and Andy, helping us see more of the value of knowing and being able to focus on our main business. We have different roles between our work and personal lives, and some consultants have multiple clients. This is why it is essential for us to be able to stay efficient in these roles and get things done.   Tune in and get pro tips on productivity that will surely amp up your efficiency. Quotes: “People Will Talk About Priorities, And They'll Say We Got To Prioritize… But That Means Something Has To Be Less Important And You've Got To Put That On The Backburner. And I Don't Think We Should Feel Guilty About Those Things.” “When You Have To Get This Much Stuff Done In A Period Of Time, You, Honestly, Almost Magically Find A Way To Do It.” “One Of The Productivity Hacks, If You Will, Is To Find Focus Time.”   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.

In this episode, Andy shares an insight about trending and how it should not be the basis of the next outcome. He talks about the power of making a wise decision regardless of the trend you’re seeing and making your future independent of who you are yesterday.   Listen in and learn what you can do to take that needed pivot leading to the future you aspire for. Quotes: “Our Lives Are Not Dependent On Our Past. Our Past Is Our Past. What Happened Yesterday Is What Happened Yesterday.” “Who We Are Today Is Independent Of Who We Were Yesterday.” “You Can Do It Right, You Can Make Those Changes. If You're Trending In A Direction That You Don't Like, Today Is The Day To Make That Change.”   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) What Is Trending (04:17) Believing That We Are Being Stuck In A Trend (05:32) We Have A Choice (07:06) Today Is The Day To Make The Chan

In this episode, you will understand why knowledge isn’t always power. Andy explains the difference between knowing how to do something and being actually able to do something because the power only lies in how that knowledge is being applied or practiced to be able to benefit from the results.   Tune in now and be encouraged to build upon each success you reach as you execute and act on the information you have. Quotes: “Knowledge is only good if we can actually use it to some benefit, and for some purpose.” “We have to go out and actually put these things into practice. Otherwise, it's anecdotal information.” “Sometimes as consultants, we think that because we know something, therefore, we can go out and just teach it or we can go out and execute it. The execution part is a lot different than the knowing part.”   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) kno

In this episode, we have Andy talk about ghosting, some effects it has on people, and why we should avoid doing it to others. Ghosting shows unprofessionalism and may damage our personal, professional, or business relationships.    Hit the play button and know how to avoid doing it and what to do if we’re ghosted. Quotes: “Vanishing Is Just Not Cool In My Book, It's Not Professional, [And] It Doesn't Show Respect To The Other Individual.” “The Ghosting Piece Has An Effect On People… People Feel Neglected, They Feel Ignored. It Doesn't Feel Good. So, This Is Something We Want To Avoid.”   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) Ghosting Back In The Days (05:32) Ghosting In Business Is Not Cool (10:54) Ghosting’s Effects On People (11:13) What To Do If We're Ghosted (14:01) Andy’s New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers  

In this episode, Andy unmasks the imposter syndrome and presents the positive effects it can bring us. You will learn how to identify it by looking at the symptoms and know the steps on how you can harness this state of mind to make it work for your advantage.   So, listen in now and enjoy the episode! Quotes: “I Think That Giving Anxiety, A Name, Like The Imposter Syndrome, Is Giving It Life.” “That Anxiety Is An Awareness Of The Gap Between Who We Are And Who We Want To Be. And This Self-Awareness Tells Us That We're Not Fully Competent. And This Motivates Us Towards Mastery.” “If We Accept That Anxiety As A Gift, We Can Use It. But If We Don't, If We Look At It As A Curse Or Something That's Bad, And We Try To Run Away From It, We’ll Regress.” “Fools Do Not Feel That Anxiety Generated From The Imposter Syndrome.” “The Power Doesn't Come From Labeling This Anxiety As Negative And Then Dismissing It Or Hiding From It. The Power Comes From Labeling This Anxiety As A Competence Gap, And Then Addressing It.”

In this episode, Andy helps you see the importance of looking through your expenses and knowing where all those small expenses go because small spending can affect your cash flow and how you operate as a consultant. So, tune in now and learn how to responsibly monitor your expenses. Quotes: “It's More Important That We Be Aware Of Our Spending And Make A Conscious Choice Around It.“ “The Way You Spend Your Money Is Going To Affect How You Operate As A Consultant.”   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) Looking At The Small Expenses You Make (02:36) Being Responsible With Your Expenses As A Consultant (04:21) How To Responsibly Monitor Your Expenses (09:27) Your Spending Affects How You Operate As A Consultant (10:41) Andy’s New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers  

In this episode, Andy talks about the challenges of having some freedom on how to go about your workday, especially as a consultant. People usually get trapped in the struggle to get going on a task but Andy gives practical tips on how to pull yourself out of being stuck and effectively accomplish your tasks for the day.   So, make sure to listen in and get this nugget that will surely help you boost your productivity.  Quotes: “One Of The Things That I Had To Do Was Parent Myself And Tell Myself, ‘You're Going To Sit Down And Do That Work And Do It Now.’“ “I Had A Lot More Energy To Study Than I Ever Thought I Could If I Managed My Time Right.” “Use The Technology For You, Don't Let The Technology Use You.”   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) Challenges Of Having Some Freedom Of How To Go About Your Workday (03:07) Looking At How Work Looks Like In A

In this episode, you will understand what empathy really is and how it can help you become better at serving your clients. Andy explains why it is hard to do and what it requires but he also shows how it can greatly impact your relationships with your clients.   Check out this episode now and enjoy! Quotes: “If Our Intent Is To Serve Another Person, Empathy Allows Us To Respond Appropriately. It Allows Us To Be Successful In Our Relationships.“ “When We Start To Empathize With Another Person, We Start To Understand Them More Deeply, As Opposed To Just Coming In And Thinking, We Have The Answer To Them.” “Empathy Requires Honesty. And Without It, The Response Is, It's Patronizing. It's When There's Honesty Without Empathy, It Can Be Delivered As Rude And Blunt And Abrasive.” “Trusted Advisors, They Don't Operate In A Transactional World With Their Clients. They Operate By Feeling What Their Clients Feel And Delivering Like They're Solving Their Own Problems.”   Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro  (00:27) If Y

In this episode, we have Andy share about what having vices can lead us into and how to deal with them. He explained some reasons why people fall into bad habits and gave practical tips on how we can deal with it and eventually eliminate the habit.   Listen in now and enjoy keeping your life productive and reaching the levels of success that you are aiming for. Quotes: “Being Successful Is Being, First Of All, Aware Of It [Vices], But Also Being Able To Put Things In Place To Control It.” “Boredom Is A Great Driver Towards Executing Our Vices.” “We Have To Find Different Things To Replace That Vice With.” “Vices, Even If It's Just Diving Into The Vices Even From A Perspective Of Entertainment, Or Spending Time Or ‘I’m Bored’, It Can Lead Into A Very Counterproductive Life.”   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) The Four Traditional Vices (02:09) Most Peo

In this episode, Andy shows us the importance of preparedness, especially for events that could cause a significant impact on our businesses and in life. He discusses that sometimes, we use the terms like ‘unprecedented’ or ‘out of our control’ as a dismissive way of saying that we're actually not prepared.   So, listen in and learn how to prepare for the “known unknowns” that will save you from facing even larger complications as a result. Quotes: “We Use These Terms Like ‘unprecedented’ Or ‘out Of Our Control’ As A Dismissive Way Of Saying That We're Not Prepared.” “Nearsightedness And Focusing On Short-Term Timeframes Excludes Events That Are Cyclical Over Long Periods. This Can Trigger Dramatic Reaction To Events And Grandiose Delusions That Were The First To Encounter This Experience.” “Having Solid Plans For Catastrophic Events Must Be In Place Prior To Those Events Occurring.” “Even Though There's A Low Likelihood Of These Events Occurring, There Has To Be The Same Responsibility, And Drive To Prepar

In this episode, we have Andy talk about a crucial part of consulting, and that is making sure you understand the factors that will help you set and achieve your target revenue. Here, he explains what utilization is and to compute it. He also talks about a few more factors to look into to make sure you are on the right track to hitting your consulting revenue target.    So, go ahead and hit play to check out this episode. Quotes: “Consulting, Overall, Is Not A Great Business To Be In, Or A Great Career For Someone Who Does Not Want To Work. If You Want To Work, Consulting Is A Fantastic Career… It Can Be Lucrative. There's Great Work, It's Rewarding.” “Have In Your Mind, Your Utilization, When You Work Because The Utilization Is Really The Target.”   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) It Is Crucial For Consultants To Know The Math Of Consulting (03:38)

In this episode, Andy explained how customers want us when they need us, and not when we show them that we need them. Investing your time or resources in your clients/customers will build that trust that will open opportunities for both you and them.   Listen in and know some tips on how you can invest in your clients and build that relationship on shared interests.  Quotes: “When We Invest Time, And We Invest Our Attention Into Each Other, That's When That Community Is Built.” “Customers Don't Want Us When We Need Them. Customers Want Us When They Need Us.” “When We Invest With Each Other, In The End, There Isn't A Need For A Call To Action.” “Shared Interests Are Reinforced When Investment Occurs. When Nothing Is Expected From The Other Party, That Investment Builds The Community.”   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) Community Is Built When We Invest

In this episode, Andy discusses the benefits of being familiar with some aspects of the client’s business and the challenges they’re facing, especially the new ones. This will help reduce the stress brought by the unknowns and strongly presents your credibility.   Check out this episode now and know the things that you can do to gain familiarity that will surely help reduce stress in meeting your new clients. Quotes: “When You Go To See A Client, Do Everything You Can To Get Familiar With The Surroundings To Reduce That Stress.” “When You Find Those Challenges, You're Able To Come In With Some More Information To Better Serve That Client.”   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) Familiarity Reduces The Stress (03:01) Things You Can Do To Reduce The Stress Through Familiarity With A Client’s Physical Location (06:14) Things You Can Do To Reduce The Stress T

In this episode, Cat and Andy converse about the value of having a growth mindset as opposed to a fixed mindset. They looked into different situations where people may be able to have opportunities to step into growth, and shared things you can do to help foster a growth mindset and set yourself up for continuous development and success.   Make sure to listen in as they delve into principles you can reflect on and apply to yourself, and step into your next level of growth. Quotes: “I've Started To Try To Challenge Myself, Which Is Difficult In A World Where I Want To Have The Answers, It Makes Me Feel Good, It Makes Me Feel Smart, Is To Stop And Start Asking Questions.” “A Way Into A Fixed Mindset Is That When We Get Little Bits Of Information, We Think We Know A Lot When Really We Don't Know That Much.” “Remove Those Constraints And Start Looking At How We Solve The Problem. Whatever That Solution Ends Up Being, Then We’ll Work Through It.”   Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro  (00:27) If You Need Help Crea