I must admit, I’m an American who historically has had little interest in elections or any political candidates for that matter. With the exception of my college years and my concerns over our economy, finding my first real job, and repaying my student loans, my interest in politics has been nonexistent. Any awareness of the candidates and their respective platforms only came to light when my sister instigated a debate with me and I was forced to take the opposite side of her on a democrat versus republican discussion.
This year is different. For some reason I place a much higher value on our upcoming election, the candidates, and the entire electoral process. Maybe it’s because I’m now a mother of two, more mature, or because I live in Michigan and I’ve watched the effects of our local economy deeply hurt my friends and family. I don’t know the reason to be honest. But something in me has changed and I find myself trying to figure out the difference between a caucus and a primary, as well as the difference between Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee.
This in itself is challenging. The candidates all have websites, but I question how much of their content I can trust as truth and not mere marketing hype. The parties all participate in caucuses and primaries, but honestly, I’ve struggled figuring out the difference between the two. I even struggle with the outcome of the Iowa caucus and I’ve yet to decide if Mike Huckabee’s success is a real is indication of the nation’s overall vote when the state is so evangelical based. I know I am not the only American struggling with selecting their candidate or even political party for that matter.
This dilemma pushes the nerd in me to return to my day life of work and the world of technology; particularly that of accounting software and ERP systems. As I drive along the expressway, eating up the media reports and commentary on XM radio, I find myself wishing for a caucus like selection for ERP systems. What am I talking about you ask? A week ago I wouldn’t even have thought about this, but this week is different. The Iowa caucus was only a few days ago and I actually found myself eager to learn about the process and anxious to hear about the results that night. I now find myself secretly wishing technology evaluation was as easy as a caucus, as easy as walking into a room and standing behind the preferred supplier.
My inner nerd has forced me into thinking about the caucus process and independents like myself. If I were searching for new accounting software, I’d like to walk into a room and wait for the various parties to court me, to provide meaningful discussion to sway me, to earn my business without months of proposals, demonstrations, and negotiations.
But then I return to reality. Can a few minutes make a difference after months of television ads, speeches, debates, and other media coverage? Possibly. The candidates were betting on it and Barack Obama’s campaign manager would probably tell you it did. The whole political process takes months and years to select the candidate of choice. Selecting an ERP system takes about the same time frame if done in earnest. Just like the political process, the software selection process for accounting or ERP solutions is confusing. Vendors promise the world, only to deliver little and force the ultimate unwanted end – litigation. Litigation? Seriously you ask? Yes. We hear of it all the time from prospects. They selected a package in hast based on a vendor’s promises, install the software, and then find the promised functionality doesn’t exist. It never did. Such information we hold in confidence and honestly we do not take delight in it. This is our industry, our world, and our passion. We pride ourselves on an ethical evaluation process, demonstrated technology, and we try our best to foster a clean fight. We avoid spreading rumors about our competition, publishing negative ads, and the like. We don’t believe in it and I know those in my company feel the same about the election process and negative ads sponsored by the candidates.
This week I heard the president of our company make a statement to an employee and it a good representation of our company’s core belief system. He said “always tell the truth and everything else will fall into place” and then stated “you should never feel bad about being honest”. He continued by saying this was a fundamental part of his belief system and it is the foundation of our company’s actions with our prospects and customers. He is right. And I’m quite sure the same is true in his political conscience. He will look for a political candidate that speaks the truth, a candidate that runs a clean campaign, one that he can believe in. He looks for this in his employees and I’m sure he looks for the same in his future president. I am the same and this is why I work for our company and I believe in our software product and our overall business philosophy. It is part of my core, my belief system, and my being.
So now I return to our pursuit of the next American president. Have I found a candidate that speaks the truth, a candidate that believes in a fair fight, a candidate that will aspire be a good diplomat for America and everything she represents? I can’t answer that yet, as I am still one of the undecided voters. I can say that I’ve walked away from at least two candidates who I feel do not fit within this mold. I’ve walked away from candidates I feel are untruthful and that do not represent the fabulous country in which I live.
So in closing I say this, if you are looking for your next technology vendor, your next accounting software package, or future ERP system – review your vendors as you would a presidential candidate. Look beyond the empty promise of change and look into the company’s core belief structure. Just as with our presidential candidates, your next ERP vendor will be with you for years to come. As a business owner, CFO, or IT manager, you need a vendor you can trust and one who will stand by you and defend. You need someone you can believe in, someone who can help lead you to growth and success.
Consider me idealistic or naive, but I am hopeful for our country and our democratic process. I believe America is ready for change. Be it color, gender, or simply political party, I believe America is paying attention to the election of 2008. And I’m excited to see the outcome and if my final decision is aligned with that of the rest of my country.
This year is different. For some reason I place a much higher value on our upcoming election, the candidates, and the entire electoral process. Maybe it’s because I’m now a mother of two, more mature, or because I live in Michigan and I’ve watched the effects of our local economy deeply hurt my friends and family. I don’t know the reason to be honest. But something in me has changed and I find myself trying to figure out the difference between a caucus and a primary, as well as the difference between Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee.
This in itself is challenging. The candidates all have websites, but I question how much of their content I can trust as truth and not mere marketing hype. The parties all participate in caucuses and primaries, but honestly, I’ve struggled figuring out the difference between the two. I even struggle with the outcome of the Iowa caucus and I’ve yet to decide if Mike Huckabee’s success is a real is indication of the nation’s overall vote when the state is so evangelical based. I know I am not the only American struggling with selecting their candidate or even political party for that matter.
This dilemma pushes the nerd in me to return to my day life of work and the world of technology; particularly that of accounting software and ERP systems. As I drive along the expressway, eating up the media reports and commentary on XM radio, I find myself wishing for a caucus like selection for ERP systems. What am I talking about you ask? A week ago I wouldn’t even have thought about this, but this week is different. The Iowa caucus was only a few days ago and I actually found myself eager to learn about the process and anxious to hear about the results that night. I now find myself secretly wishing technology evaluation was as easy as a caucus, as easy as walking into a room and standing behind the preferred supplier.
My inner nerd has forced me into thinking about the caucus process and independents like myself. If I were searching for new accounting software, I’d like to walk into a room and wait for the various parties to court me, to provide meaningful discussion to sway me, to earn my business without months of proposals, demonstrations, and negotiations.
But then I return to reality. Can a few minutes make a difference after months of television ads, speeches, debates, and other media coverage? Possibly. The candidates were betting on it and Barack Obama’s campaign manager would probably tell you it did. The whole political process takes months and years to select the candidate of choice. Selecting an ERP system takes about the same time frame if done in earnest. Just like the political process, the software selection process for accounting or ERP solutions is confusing. Vendors promise the world, only to deliver little and force the ultimate unwanted end – litigation. Litigation? Seriously you ask? Yes. We hear of it all the time from prospects. They selected a package in hast based on a vendor’s promises, install the software, and then find the promised functionality doesn’t exist. It never did. Such information we hold in confidence and honestly we do not take delight in it. This is our industry, our world, and our passion. We pride ourselves on an ethical evaluation process, demonstrated technology, and we try our best to foster a clean fight. We avoid spreading rumors about our competition, publishing negative ads, and the like. We don’t believe in it and I know those in my company feel the same about the election process and negative ads sponsored by the candidates.
This week I heard the president of our company make a statement to an employee and it a good representation of our company’s core belief system. He said “always tell the truth and everything else will fall into place” and then stated “you should never feel bad about being honest”. He continued by saying this was a fundamental part of his belief system and it is the foundation of our company’s actions with our prospects and customers. He is right. And I’m quite sure the same is true in his political conscience. He will look for a political candidate that speaks the truth, a candidate that runs a clean campaign, one that he can believe in. He looks for this in his employees and I’m sure he looks for the same in his future president. I am the same and this is why I work for our company and I believe in our software product and our overall business philosophy. It is part of my core, my belief system, and my being.
So now I return to our pursuit of the next American president. Have I found a candidate that speaks the truth, a candidate that believes in a fair fight, a candidate that will aspire be a good diplomat for America and everything she represents? I can’t answer that yet, as I am still one of the undecided voters. I can say that I’ve walked away from at least two candidates who I feel do not fit within this mold. I’ve walked away from candidates I feel are untruthful and that do not represent the fabulous country in which I live.
So in closing I say this, if you are looking for your next technology vendor, your next accounting software package, or future ERP system – review your vendors as you would a presidential candidate. Look beyond the empty promise of change and look into the company’s core belief structure. Just as with our presidential candidates, your next ERP vendor will be with you for years to come. As a business owner, CFO, or IT manager, you need a vendor you can trust and one who will stand by you and defend. You need someone you can believe in, someone who can help lead you to growth and success.
Consider me idealistic or naive, but I am hopeful for our country and our democratic process. I believe America is ready for change. Be it color, gender, or simply political party, I believe America is paying attention to the election of 2008. And I’m excited to see the outcome and if my final decision is aligned with that of the rest of my country.
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