Why You Don’t Want a “Yes” Person As Your ERP Implementation Partner
- Stephanie E. Clark
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
(And What to Look for Instead)
When you're choosing an ERP implementation partner, you're not just picking a software expert—you're choosing someone who will be in the trenches with you when things get tough.
Recently, a new client said something that made me smile: “We need you to tell us what to do.”
Yes. Good. That’s exactly how I work.
Because the last thing you need during an ERP implementation is a partner who just nods and agrees while the project quietly drives itself into a ditch.
ERP Projects Need Guidance, Not Just Options
Here’s the thing: Many larger ERP partners train consultants to become exceptional application experts. They know Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central inside and out. They can give you five different ways to handle your inventory reconciliation or production variances.
But ask them which one is right for your business? You’ll get something like:
“Well… it depends.”
It depends on what?
On your industry
On your size
On your processes
On your goals
And—most importantly—on someone who understands how your business works in the real world
The truth? A lot of consultants don’t make recommendations because:
They don’t know the business side. They’ve never run inventory. Never closed a month-end. Never walked the floor.
They’re risk-averse. If they pick one path and it goes wrong, they worry about liability or client pushback.
They’re trained to present options, not make decisions. Safe. Neutral. But not all that helpful.
If you want someone who brings both business judgment and ERP experience, you need the right ERP implementation partner—someone who can guide you, not just demo software.
A Great ERP Consultant Does More Than Explain Software
A strategic ERP consultant—one with real business and implementation experience—can do more than just tell you what’s possible in Business Central.
They can tell you:
What’s worked for other companies like yours
Which option is lowest risk (and which has a history of blowing up)
What’s overkill and what’s critical
Where you might run into trouble later, even if something looks fine right now
Where your current process is broken and the best way to fix it - for the humans and the technology
And they’ll say it clearly, plainly. In a way that makes sense.
You don’t need someone to recite technical features. You need someone who’s been through the fire and will say, “Here’s what I recommend—and here’s why.”
ERP Implementations Are Messy. That’s Why You Need Honest Communication.
Let’s be real: ERP implementation projects are not for the faint of heart.They’re complex, high-stakes, and often unpredictable.
Timelines shift.
People get overwhelmed.
Scope creeps in like an uninvited guest.
And sometimes… the wheels come off mid-flight.
So here’s the question:When your ERP project hits turbulence, what kind of consultant do you want on your team?
The one who politely waits until everything crashes, then quietly says,“Well… actually, we might have a problem.”
Or the one who steps in early and says,“This is a red flag. We’ve seen this before. Here’s what’s happening, and here’s how we fix it—now.”
Because when you're implementing an ERP system like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, early warnings and clear communication are everything.
You don’t want someone who hides behind a muted mic or delivers sugar-coated status updates.You want someone who calls it like they see it.
ERP success isn’t just about the software.It’s about having a partner who’s honest, proactive, and willing to have hard conversations when it counts. If you want more examples of how costly delays and silence can be, check out ERP vs. Manual Processes: What’s the Real Cost?
“You’re Mean to Clients—and They Like It”
A colleague once told me that. True story.“You’re mean to clients—and they like it.”
OK, maybe “mean” is a stretch. I prefer direct. Or honest with urgency. Or your ERP therapist who tells it like it is.
I’m not here to flatter you. I’m here to help you succeed.And that means sometimes saying:
“This path looks easy now, but it’s going to cause you pain six months from now.”
“Yes, Business Central can do that—but just because it can doesn’t mean you should.”
“No, we don’t need to customize that. Here’s a better way.”
Choosing an ERP Implementation Partner? Ask These 3 Questions:
If you're evaluating ERP implementation partners for Business Central (or any ERP), ask yourself:
Will they give me real guidance or just a list of options?
Do they understand how businesses like mine actually run?
Will they tell me what I need to hear, even if it’s not what I want to hear?
If the answer to any of those is “I’m not sure,” keep looking. Or take a look at our ERP Implementation Services Overview to see how we approach things differently.
Final Thought: It’s Your Decision. But You Deserve the Truth.
At the end of the day, it’s your business.Your decision.Your ERP system.
My job isn’t to boss you around—it’s to give you every pro, con, caution flag, and best practice I’ve seen over 20+ years. You’re absolutely free to take my advice… or not.
But you’ll always know where I stand.
No “yes-people.”
No sugarcoating.
Just honest advice—and an ERP that actually delivers.
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