The adoption of an ERP system in Saudi Arabia can be a game-changer to any business that desires efficiency in operations, improved data management, and ZATCA requirements. Nevertheless, your team should be trained even with the most sophisticated ERP solution because it can still fail. In a number of instances, ERP implementation fails or succeeds not because of the technology but the people using the technology day to day.
This blog talks about the key steps and best practices in training your team to make your ERP implementation a success in the Saudi business environment.
1. Learn the Local Business Reality
It is important to note that there are peculiarities of conducting business in Saudi Arabia before the process of training is initiated. Such things as bilingual employees, cultural sensitivities, domestic financial regulation (e.g. VAT and e-invoicing) and industry-specific regulations should influence your training strategy. In selecting an ERP system in Saudi Arabia, make sure that it has Arabic and English interfaces and that it is aligned with the ZATCA and vision 2030 objectives.
2. Leadership Buy-In should start with Leadership Buy-In
Top-down training is the best training. The top management and departmental heads must be completely behind the implementation of the ERP and share the significance of the ERP to the rest of the organization. Their approval does not only help in morale but also raises the rate of adoption among employees. The leaders should be encouraged to attend training sessions as an example.
3. Role Based Segmentation of Training
All the employees are not required to know all the functions of the ERP system. Divide your training according to job functions:
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The finance teams should get a detailed training on modules such as accounts payable, receivable, general ledger, and budgeting.
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HR departments ought to concentrate on the payroll, recruitment and employee records.
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Inventory, CRM and vendor management features should be mastered by sales and procurement teams.
This strategy does not overburden users and the users acquire skills that they really require in order to effectively carry out their duties.
4. Train on Locally Relevant Materials
When implementing an ERP in Saudi Arabia, ensure your training is locally based-not only linguistically, but also in content. Apply practical examples of your business, e.g. local vendor payments, Arabic invoices or ZATCA-compliant e-invoicing. There is also bilingual training material (Arabic and English) which appeals to a diverse workforce.
5. Select the Appropriate Training Techniques
There are varying learning styles in every organization. A combination of different training formats contributes to knowledge retention. Some of the best ways are
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Classroom Training Best suited to core teams and basic orientation.
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Online Learning Modules- Suitable to learning flexibility among the various branches.
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On-the-Job Training -Improves confidence through real time practice.
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Q&A and workshops - Dispel practical doubts and cement learning.
Virtual training sessions can be used in Saudi Arabia where most companies have offices in different cities or even regions so that they are on the same page despite the geographical distance.
6. Select ERP Super Users/Champions
Find out the eager and tech-savvy employees across each department to serve as ERP champions. These super users may be trained more and they may act as internal resources within their team. They will be able to assist their colleagues after implementation, thus, minimizing the need to hire external consultants and accelerating the implementation of the ERP system in Saudi Arabia.
7. Monitor, Follow up and Provide Refresher Training
The training must not be a single occurrence. Apply KPIs to monitor the performance of the users and where they need more assistance. Make follow ups, particularly when there is a major update of the system or change in the process. You will be able to incorporate more complex capabilities of the ERP software as the confidence level of your team increases.
8. Get Feedback and Repeat
You should always seek the opinion of trainees on effectiveness of your training sessions. Did the sessions go too quickly or too slowly? Did the material make sense? Were they satisfied by the system? Use this feedback to become a better trainee and make the training real and practical.
9. Point out the Advantages of Each Department
Individuals are more willing to accept technology when they perceive individual and departmental gains. Illustrate how the ERP system in Saudi Arabia will ease the work and enhance the accuracy of data, as well as minimize manual workloads. An example would be to demonstrate your finance department how they can create financial reports in minutes rather than hours.
Conclusion
The training of your team is not an implementation step, it is the key to a successful ERP journey. You may be a manufacturing plant in Riyadh, a series of stores in Jeddah, or a logistics company in Dammam, but investing in organized, local training will give you the best ROI of an ERP implementation in Saudi Arabia. Given proper preparation and attitude, your work team will be able to take full advantage of the ERP system capabilities and help your business grow and transform digitally.
