Here's how you can navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities in mid-career ERP consulting.

ERP skills refresh ensures that the mid-career professional maintains the quality of implementation and maintenance services. An ERP client may decide to have core modules on premise and other modules or applications in the cloud with the most appropriate database locations in terms of latency, integration, availability, fault tolerance, security and privacy. Hyperautomation causes drastic business process changes which can increase staff resistance. Technological and other innovations give rise to new challenges which can only be faced by updated skills.

ERP clients seek ease of ERP access anytime and anywhere, timely knowledge for effective cross-functional collaboration and agile decision-making, enhanced security and productivity with low or zero latency and downtime. Therefore, the market trends are influenced by relevant enabling technologies like cloud services, mobile apps, real-time data integration and analytics, integrated collaborative tools, AI-enhanced cybersecurity, data privacy techniques, hyperautomation, Internet of Things, extremely fast data processing capabilities, fault-tolerant and scalable infrastructure with flexible and seamless implementation and maintenance.

Communication skills like active listening and explaining complex matters in an easily understandable manner are important to clearly understand the exact client needs for providing the relevant and right ERP solution. It is also important to know how to align business and ERP strategies, define the list of must-have and nice-to-have ERP features for gap analysis, streamline or reengineer business processes, negotiate with ERP vendors and select the best-fit ERP system for implementation in terms of functionalities, flexibility, usability, upgradability roadmap, technological infrastructure, scalability, service level agreement and pricing policy.

The mid-career ERP professional usually has to handle more complex ERP tasks. Think about a conglomerate operating in several continents with ERP requirements related to diverse industries, localization constraints, multiple currencies, financial consolidation in both USD and the holding company’s home currency, flexibility, scalability, different cultures and technological facilities as well as migration of acquisitions to the same ERP system. All this needs a lot of knowledge, skills and experience.

The ERP space is small, which means you'll likely make connections, receive references, and referrals. However, if you're in your mid-career consulting stage, it's crucial to present yourself as an industry expert. Network with decision-makers in your industry who need someone to vouch for their processes and needs during implementations or partner projects. Networking within your industry, rather than only in the ERP space, can be more beneficial than you might think.

The most ambitious goals of a mid-career ERP professional is to manage large scale ERP projects, lead an important ERP consulting firm and eventually be competent enough for a position of CEO in a medium or large enterprise irrespective of the industry. This requires the progressive acquisition of advanced knowledge, skills and experience in diverse domains like ERP, change management, leadership, human resource management, strategy, marketing, finance and other business administration.