Experience
We have extensive experience in large scale systems change.
In total, First Friday has worked on over 50 system transformation projects in the last 10 years.
System implementations that deliver true digital transformation
Reaching a state of constant innovation and improvement is ideal but occasionally a step change is required in your business. This may be because your systems need a complete overhaul or because the culture of the business is holding you back from growth.
We may be retail specialists, but no matter your situation, size or sector, our team is here to make sure you bring your people along for the journey to ensure reduced friction, faster adoption, and more effective use of your key business tools.
120+
Projects
30+
Software platforms
100+
Clients
Experts in large-scale systems transformation
At First Friday, we’ve supported some of the world’s leading businesses through large-scale transformations.
Our consultants all come from a business background and can bring together people, process and systems, to create an approach to transformations that is as pragmatic as it is robust.
Change management approach
We focus on people.
We ensure that the teams are ready and equipped for the change that the new system & processes will bring at ‘go-live’.
Systems training approach
We focus on changes to the job role.
We train the processes, the KPIs and roles together with the system.
Our people
We all have a commercial business background in retail – from merchandising to planning to buying to stores.
Ways of working & culture
Openness and trust.
One team approach.
Focus on people.
Working with systems integrators & internal teams
We have a one team approach and work collaboratively with your systems integrator, your software vendors & your internal team.
We are flexible and adopt our methodology to fit with the other parties & the needs of the programme.
Helping you live and breathe your business values
To see cultural change in your business you have to help every person working for you to understand what you stand for and what you are trying to achieve. You also need to help everyone to understand how they can personally contribute.
How better than with consultants who’ve been there on the receiving end?
Business software systems experts
We have worked with all the main systems providers and many more.
Over the years we have worked on projects implementing software from Microsoft, SAP, Oracle, Blue Yonder, IBM and many more.
Having said that, we think our main strength is having a deep understanding of your business and knowing what good looks like. We can help you adapt rather than adopt your new systems.
Retail specialists
Retail heritage and commercial expertise, along with extensive personal experience of retail change programmes make us the perfect company to partner with for retail system transformation and training.
Our systems consultants have a commercial background and speak the same business language as you do. Providing valuable insights from other clients and projects, and an independent take on the best solution for your business and its unique needs.
Whatever stage of retail transformation you’re in, we’ve got the knowledge and experience to help your programme succeed.
Retail systems expertise
- Retail ERP systems
- Merchandise management systems
- Planning & forecasting systems
- Pricing and markdown optimisation systems
- Allocation & replenishment
- PLM systems
- Warehouse management systems
- Supply chain management systems
- Store systems and EPOS
- CRM & customer experience systems
- BI & analytics
Support throughout your systems transformation journey
There are many areas on a system transformation programme where First Friday can support; from the early initiation activities like developing the target operation model or software selection through the main programme activities like change management and training to business benefits optimisation.
Initiate
- Transformation Strategy
- Target Operating Model
- Business Case
- Software and SI selection
- Governance
- Team building
- Change, comms & training approach
Land
- Programme and project management
- Business process definition and end to end ways of working
- Change management
- Training
- Subject matter expertise
Optimise
- Benefits optimisation
- Post implementation support
- Programme health checks
- Business as usual (BAU)
Read our case studies
Change Management, Retail Training, Systems Training,
Oracle Systems Transformation for a Global Food Retailer
People are at the heart of everything we do
The First Friday team are all from a retail or commercial background. We understand your business – the operational processes, the job roles, the systems and the business language that you use – and have empathy with your teams as we have all performed similar roles ourselves.
Bringing all these elements together is essential for a successful system implementation.
Meet some of our systems transformation consultants
Viv is a Transformation and Business Change consultant with over 20 years’ experience at a senior level in in merchandising, supply chain, and business change & transformation. She has advised on several large transformation programmes for leading retailers and is APMG accredited in Change.
More about Viv »
Jean is a founding member of First Friday and a seasoned professional in the training arena, well used to supporting her team when changes, delays and challenges happen. She’s calm in a crisis, solution oriented and patient when bringing the multiple parties and elements together to deliver exceptional training for clients.
More about Jean »
Lorna has extensive experience on numerous projects across multiple regions – UK, Europe, Americas. Her understanding of end-to-end business solutions that encompass process, systems and people is invaluable to delivering a solution that delivers in practice.
More about Lorna »
Related resources
Here are some of our most popular system transformation resources.
