What do you do if you're an ERP professional and want to stay ahead of industry innovations and trends?

1 Learn new skills

One of the best ways to stay ahead of the curve as an ERP professional is to learn new skills and competencies that are in demand or emerging in the industry. For example, you might want to learn how to use cloud-based ERP platforms, which offer more flexibility, scalability, and security than traditional on-premise systems. You might also want to learn how to leverage artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and big data analytics, which can enhance ERP functions and provide valuable insights for decision making. Additionally, you might want to learn how to integrate ERP with other systems, such as customer relationship management (CRM), e-commerce, or social media, to create a seamless and holistic customer experience.

2 Network with peers

Another way to stay on top of the industry innovations and trends is to network with other ERP professionals and experts. You can join online communities, forums, blogs, podcasts, or webinars that focus on ERP topics and issues. You can also attend events, conferences, workshops, or seminars that showcase the latest developments and best practices in ERP. Networking with peers can help you exchange ideas, insights, tips, and feedback, as well as discover new opportunities, collaborations, or partnerships. You can also learn from the success stories and challenges of other ERP professionals and gain new perspectives and inspiration.

3 Follow industry leaders

A third way to keep yourself updated and informed as an ERP professional is to follow the industry leaders and influencers who shape the direction and vision of ERP. You can follow their social media accounts, blogs, newsletters, podcasts, or videos, and see what they are talking about, recommending, or predicting. You can also follow the leading ERP vendors, consultants, analysts, or researchers, and see what they are offering, developing, or testing. Following industry leaders can help you stay abreast of the latest news, trends, innovations, and opportunities in ERP, as well as learn from their expertise and experience.

4 Experiment with new tools

A fourth way to advance your skills and knowledge as an ERP professional is to experiment with new tools and technologies that can enhance or complement your ERP system. You can try out free trials, demos, or beta versions of new ERP software, modules, or features, and see how they work and what benefits they bring. You can also explore new tools and technologies that can integrate with your ERP system, such as chatbots, blockchain, or internet of things (IoT), and see how they can improve your business processes and outcomes. Experimenting with new tools and technologies can help you learn by doing, as well as identify potential gaps, problems, or improvements in your ERP system.

5 Seek feedback and improvement

A fifth way to grow and improve as an ERP professional is to seek feedback and improvement from your stakeholders, customers, and colleagues. You can ask for feedback on your ERP system, performance, or projects, and see what they like, dislike, or suggest. You can also ask for improvement ideas, suggestions, or recommendations on how to make your ERP system more efficient, effective, or user-friendly. Seeking feedback and improvement can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, as well as address your customers' needs and expectations. It can also help you foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation in your ERP practice.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?