UK-based consultancy Embridge Consulting has unveiled a new transformation framework designed to address one of the most persistent challenges in enterprise technology initiatives: why so many ERP and digital transformation programs fail to deliver lasting results.
Branded “Elastic Change,” the approach reflects a shift away from rigid, project-led transformation toward a model that flexes as business conditions evolve, scales with organisational maturity, and—critically—sticks because people are supported throughout the process.
Why Traditional ERP Transformations Struggle
Despite continued investment in ERP, cloud platforms, and analytics, industry research suggests that 88% of transformation initiatives fail to achieve their original objectives. According to Embridge, the issue is rarely the goal itself—such as replacing an ERP system, consolidating data, or optimising operations—but the way change is delivered.
“Objectives evolve, resources move, and people resist,” said Daniel Chilton, Chief Experience Officer at Embridge Consulting. “When transformation is delivered in a rigid way, it struggles to keep pace with reality. An elastic approach makes the difference.”
This perspective aligns with a broader trend across ERP and enterprise transformation: as cloud, AI, and continuous optimisation replace one-off implementations, change itself has become a constant, not a phase.
The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Transformation
A defining element of Embridge’s Elastic Change framework is its emphasis on Emotionally Intelligent (EQ) leadership. Rather than treating change management as a supporting function, the model positions leadership awareness and empathy as core enablers of transformation success.
According to Embridge, EQ leadership goes beyond being “people-centric.” It requires leaders to understand the impact of change on themselves and their teams—and to respond dynamically as pressures, priorities, and policies shift.
“In the end, technology and processes don’t burn out,” Chilton noted. “People do.”
For ERP and enterprise leaders, this reflects a growing recognition that human sustainability is as critical as technical architecture—particularly in long-running, multi-system transformation programs.
The Three Es of Elastic Change
Under the Elastic Change model, Embridge combines what it describes as its three Es:
- Excellence in Technology – Deep expertise across ERP, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), source-to-pay, HR, recruitment, and operational systems
- Expandable Services – Flexible, scalable services that evolve with organisational needs rather than fixed-scope projects
- Emotionally Intelligent Leadership – A leadership-led approach that acknowledges the lived experience of transformation
Together, these pillars aim to keep transformation moving in environments where business conditions rarely stand still.
From One-Off Projects to Long-Term Partnerships
Founded in 2009, Embridge Consulting has delivered complex transformation programs across the public sector, NHS and healthcare, higher education, not-for-profit organisations, and professional services. Over time, the firm has evolved from traditional implementation engagements toward long-term partnerships designed to support continuous change.
Emma O’Brien, Founder and CEO of Embridge Consulting, said the shift was driven by what the firm observed in practice.
“As technology, cloud platforms, and AI turned change from a cycle into a constant, traditional project-led transformation struggled to keep pace,” she said. “Plans became outdated, and people carried the strain.”
The Elastic Change framework represents Embridge’s response to that reality—aligning flexible services, strong technology foundations, and leadership models that recognise the human cost of transformation.
A Signal for ERP and Transformation Leaders
For ERP decision-makers, Embridge’s announcement highlights a key signal emerging across the transformation landscape: success is no longer defined by system go-live, but by sustained adoption, resilience, and organisational health.
As enterprises move deeper into cloud- and AI-enabled operating models, approaches like Elastic Change suggest that the future of ERP transformation will be less about fixed roadmaps—and more about adaptability, leadership, and people-first execution.
ERP News Editorial Team
The ERPNews Editorial Team covers global developments in ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), enterprise software, cloud platforms, AI, automation, and digital transformation, providing independent news and editorial analysis for senior business and technology leaders. Our reporting focuses on market signals, strategic shifts, and enterprise impact across the ERP and enterprise technology ecosystem.
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