I was in San Diego recently, scratching another ballpark off the list and, of course, chatting with the folks around me (if we've met, you won't be at all surprised by that!). I was trying to talk baseball, but instead, I got asked that age-old question, "So, what do YOU do?" I played along and gave them an answer I thought would suffice without getting too deep into it. I mean, I was at a baseball game... hello? To my surprise, they seemed genuinely interested and asked some really great questions about why the finance piece was so important. I’ve found myself reflecting on that conversation multiple times since and decided to share some of it here:
Imagine this: You’re working with a consultant who can open up forms and show you the basics of your ERP. It might seem helpful at first, but when it comes to making financial decisions or optimizing your processes, you realize that something critical is missing. That’s because simply knowing the "how" of an ERP system isn't enough—you need to understand the "why" behind every decision, every feature, and every workflow.
That’s exactly where the finance lens comes in. It’s about focusing on the broader SyteLine picture but filtering it through the specific needs and goals of your finance department. Because, at the end of the day, your business needs more than just data; it needs actionable insights that lead to smarter financial decisions.
The Missing Piece in SyteLine Consulting: Financial Expertise
I’ve seen it happen too often—ERP consultants who can walk you through technical steps but don’t understand the financial implications behind those steps. You deserve more than that. You deserve a consultant who can look at the big picture, but always through a finance lens.
Take something as simple as processing a customer deduction. Sure, many consultants can show you how to enter it into SyteLine, but can they explain how to track the financial impact of those deductions over time? Can they help you figure out exactly how much money you’re leaving on the table due to untracked deductions? This is the type of insight that you only get when you’re looking at SyteLine through a financial lens.
My Experience: Why It Matters
When I first started using SyteLine, I struggled. It took me months—honestly, more than a year—before I felt like I truly had a handle on SyteLine. And when I finally sought outside help, the consultant sent to me was completely out of touch with what I needed. She could show me how to navigate the system, sure, but she didn’t know finance. I walked away more frustrated than when I started.
What that experience taught me is the importance of learning from someone who not only understands the ERP system but also the financial intricacies of your business. When you work with me, you’re not just learning how to use SyteLine—you’re learning how to use it through a finance lens that ensures every decision, every report, and every workflow supports your financial success.
Why You Need a Consultant Who "Gets" Finance
When you're dealing with finance in SyteLine, you need someone who’s been in the trenches—someone who doesn’t just know the software but who used it and also knows finance inside and out. I can show you the features, but more importantly, I can tell you which ones to use for your business (and why), and explain how they directly impact your financial outcomes. From tracking deductions to measuring KPIs, it’s not just about pushing buttons; it’s about making smart financial decisions at every step.
Ways Glass Box Consulting Can Help Your Business
Visit my updated Work With Me page to learn more about some new offerings we have in the pipeline and how Glass Box Consulting might help your business.
Keep looking Inside the Glass Box for more clear paths to success. See you in the next issue!
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