Getting the best value from your IT systems

By Pete Doyle, Gradient

09 Jun 2023

Pete Doyle Gradient

If you have invested heavily in your business systems, how do you best maximise your return on investment?

Your go-live is only a step along the way, the real work starts afterwards!

A common issue we see with many of our clients is that despite implementing modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, it’s all too easy to then return to or develop ‘bad’ habits.

It might start with the odd grumble from a staff member that things ‘don’t work as expected’ or users reverting to rekeying data ‘off-system’ - as a result you will never reap the full benefits or improve your efficiency. It doesn’t have to be this way.

What can you do? Here are our top five tips.

  1. Keep an eye open for data silos. Do you have disconnected data and are unable to create useful information you can trust?
  2. Ask why you are re-keying data. Is there a genuine need or reason for this?
  3. Focus on using the system to properly measure the current health of your business. Can you believe your reporting when there may be more than one version of the truth?
  4. Accurate forecasting is critical and should not be a chore. Has this started to feel like hard work?
  5. Your systems should help you be more competitive. Are inefficiencies starting to have a significant impact on your business?

It can be difficult to spot issues when concentrating on your daily business.

We can help you to know where to look and how to gain the best returns on your investment.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Pete Doyle, Gradient

Latest news

1

Burnley gets £4.8m heritage boost for town centre regeneration Burnley secures £4.8 million heritage boost for town centre regeneration

Burnley gets £4.8m heritage boost for town centre regeneration

25 Mar 2026

2

Celebrity chef launches training academy at Blackburn College Lisa Goodwin Allen at the academy at Blackburn College

Celebrity chef launches training academy at Blackburn College

24 Mar 2026

3

Manufacturers drive digital leadership as Made Smarter milestone passes 250 Charlotte Crossley Fylde Electronics and Joanne Daley from Manchester Met

Manufacturers drive digital leadership as Made Smarter milestone passes 250

24 Mar 2026

4

Lumo opens new Preston rail base in style ahead of West Coast expansion Lumo in Preston

Lumo opens new Preston rail base in style ahead of West Coast expansion

23 Mar 2026

5

Bowker marketing team wins National BMW and Porsche Awards Amy Lancaster-Hall, Marketing Manager; Freya Hesketh, Marketing & Social Media Executive; Chloe Robinson, Graphic Designer and Ellie Shaw, Social Media Expert

Bowker marketing team wins National BMW and Porsche Awards

20 Mar 2026

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
AI & Cybersecurity Summit
AI and Cybersecurity Logo
Summit
28 Apr 2026

AI & Cybersecurity Summit

Dunkenhalgh House , Blackburn Road, Clayton Le Moors, BB5 5JP

08:30 - 11:00

Sub36 Networking - Outdoor Elements
Sub36 Outdoor Elements Logo1920x1008
Networking
29 Apr 2026

Sub36 Networking - Outdoor Elements

Outdoor Elements, Pump House Dean Wood, Trapp Lane, Burnley, BB12 7JD

09:00 - 11:00

LBV Magazine Networking Events - SAVE THE DATES
Jan/ Feb Networking Event - Talking
Networking
14 May 2026

LBV Magazine Networking Events - SAVE THE DATES

Lancashire

08:30 - 10:30

The Marketing Meetup Lancashire
TMM Lancs - 27th Jan.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
25 Mar 2026 - 25 Mar 2026

The Marketing Meetup Lancashire

Six Connections, One Slater Terrace, Burnley, BB11 1BU

18:00 - 20:00

Invest in Pendle: A Live Celebration Event
Northlight photograph
LBV Hub
25 Mar 2026

Invest in Pendle: A Live Celebration Event

The Leisure Box, Northlight Mill, Glen Way, Nelson, BB9 5NH

12:00 - 14:00

The Employment Rights Act 2025: What you need to know
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Mar 2026 - 26 Mar 2026

The Employment Rights Act 2025: What you need to know

Lancaster & Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 1TZ

08:00 - 10:00

The Ultimate Music Quiz
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Fundraisers
27 Mar 2026 - 27 Mar 2026

The Ultimate Music Quiz

Morecambe Football Club, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 22:30

Lancashire Business Expo 2026
SE, Lancashire 2025.png.png
LBV Hub Exhibitions
27 Mar 2026 - 27 Mar 2026

Lancashire Business Expo 2026

Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

90 Day Business Planning Workshop
LBV Hub Networking
27 Mar 2026 - 27 Mar 2026

90 Day Business Planning Workshop

The Holiday Inn, Bolton, BL1 2EW

09:00 - 16:30

RISE - a tailored 6 month leadership programme for women across the North West
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Apr 2026 - 15 Apr 2026

RISE - a tailored 6 month leadership programme for women across the North West

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
LBV Header (31).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Apr 2026 - 16 Apr 2026

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Blackburn, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Sickness Absence: key actions for your business
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Apr 2026 - 22 Feb 2026

Sickness Absence: key actions for your business

The Longlands Hotel, Carnforth, LA6 1JH

08:00 - 10:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin