Capability Faces - Enterprise Solutions with Shailen
Tell us a bit about your background and what brought you to BCG Platinion?
Before joining, I spent several years in consulting, primarily as system integration partner for large multinational organizations. In this role, I led solution sales, and delivery of global digital transformations centered around ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems.
During one engagement, where I was responsible for implementation, I collaborated with a BCG Platinion team that developed a comprehensive five-year strategy for our client.
This experience provided a different perspective of BCG’s tech and digital strategy capabilities and provided a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of technology and business strategy. I soon realized that at BCG Platinion I could leverage my expertise and shift into advising CXOs on tech and digital strategies. It turned out to be the perfect fit, aligning seamlessly with my professional aspirations and passion for seeing digital transformation come to life.
What typical challenges do large organizations face when it comes to their enterprise solutions systems – and how do BCG and BCG Platinion help them tackle those?
ERP has become a major focus for large businesses, and its relevance continues to grow. For many CXOs, ERP systems are critical to unlock their business' full potential. However, a significant number of ERP implementations face cost and schedule overruns. This is where we come in – we’re often involved from early on to ensure success.
“We focus on strengthening program governance, ensuring business readiness, and maximizing value realization from ERP initiatives, whether they involve new implementations or system renewals.”
Shailen Goel, Principal in Helsinki
Our engagements vary, but here are a few examples of our impact:
Maximizing ERP Value: We helped a client refocus their ERP program by aligning it with broader business goals and reducing over-reliance on the system to solve all challenges. By integrating data and digital platforms, we accelerated the delivery of business benefits alongside the ERP transformation, ensuring the investment supported key operational and financial objectives.
ERP and Sourcing Strategy: Selecting the right technology platform and implementation partner is particularly critical in complex scenarios like post-merger integrations or multi-country operations. For a client managing a multi-country ERP rollout, we guided them in selecting a platform and implementation partner that aligned with their sourcing strategy and operational needs. This approach ensured seamless integration and long-term growth.
Program De-risking and Delivery: For a client facing budget and schedule overruns, we applied BCG Platinion’s de-risking framework to assess program health and implemented an Activist PMO to improve governance, manage risks, and ensure key milestones were met, delivering significant business value.
What does BCG Platinion set apart from other partners when it comes to ERP projects?
BCG Platinion sets itself apart in ERP projects by offering tailored solutions that enhance program governance and maximize value realization. Unlike traditional system integrators, BCG focuses on operational readiness, organizational change, and business optimization to achieve sustainable outcomes. Through one of our key offering, Activist PMO, we provide data-driven decision-making and proactive risk management, supported by the full breadth of world-class experts from the BCG ecosystem. Clients additionally benefit from proven methodologies, ensuring successful ERP transformations.
What exciting future trends do you see ahead?
The ERP landscape is rapidly evolving, with many organizations transitioning from legacy systems to more modern, cloud-based package solutions. SAP’s push toward S/4HANA, with its 2027 maintenance deadline, is one key driver of this change. I believe corporations will continue investing in implementations, but will increasingly need advisory support to determine which processes should stay within their ERP systems and when to adopt best-of-breed solutions for specific business functions or regions.
I also foresee the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) applications, such as Plan AI, playing a pivotal role in enhancing business operations. These tools will improve forecasting, planning, and decision-making, making operations more agile and data-driven. The combination of ERP advancements and AI integration will be crucial for businesses looking to maximize efficiency and drive better results.
