In this episode of "The Ungrowth Show," we unravel the story of how Hershey, one of the world’s most beloved chocolate brands, turned a sweet software implementation into a sour experience. In 1999, Hershey embarked on an ambitious project to overhaul its ERP and CRM systems, aiming to modernize operations just in time for the critical Halloween and Christmas seasons. However, what was meant to be a streamlined solution quickly spiraled into chaos, costing the company $100 million in lost sales and shattering holiday expectations.

Join us as we explore the critical mistakes Hershey made during this massive IT project, from the risks of the "big bang" approach to the consequences of inadequate testing and unrealistic deadlines. We’ll dive deep into the lessons learned from this fiasco and discuss how proper planning, vendor management, and strategic growth consulting could have turned things around.

Key Topics Covered:

- The dangers of the "big bang" approach in system implementation
- The importance of thorough testing and phased rollouts
- How IT failures can disrupt supply chains and customer relationships
- Strategies for mitigating risks in large-scale IT projects
The role of vendor management in successful system integration

Show Notes:

- TrellisPoint: https://trellispoint.com/
- Hershey’s ERP Failure Case Study
- The impact of IT failures on Hershey’s holiday season and overall business
- Lessons learned from Hershey’s mistakes: Avoiding ungrowth in digital transformations
- Strategic growth consulting insights: Ensuring successful CRM and ERP implementations
- Practical tips for planning, testing, and managing complex IT projects
- Tune in to discover how a lack of planning and proper execution turned Hershey’s sweet dreams into a $100 million nightmare—and how your business can avoid the same fate.

#ERPFailure #CRMImplementation #informationtechnology