...and we’ve seen too many CFOs sign off on a Coupa or Ariba implementation thinking the software will fix a broken process. It won’t. Technology is a force multiplier; if your process is a mess, the tech just helps you make a mess faster.
The "Financial Gut Punch" The $500k S2P implementation was complete. The "Go-Live" cake was eaten. The Board was told the project was a success...but six months later, the Finance reports told a different story. For a mid-sized company with $100M in indirect spend, the numbers was supposed to be simple. But maverick spend was still hovering at 35%, and the promised efficiency gains were invisible. The "gold standard" software sat like an expensive trophy while the team quietly reverted to spreadsheets "just to get things done." This is why 70% of Procurement transformations fail. They aren't killed by bad code, they are killed by a lack of financial and operational alignment. In my experience leading global S2P transformations including Coupa, iValua and SAP Ariba, the difference between a write-off and a $10M–$25M windfall comes down to three non-negotiables: 1. KPI-Driven Architecture: We stop configuring for "features" and start configuring for P&L impact, targeting a 90% PO compliance rate to crush rogue spending. 2. The Skills Gap: Finance doesn't just need a tool; Procurement needs the enablement to act as strategic business partners rather than "order takers." 3. The ROI Audit: We stop celebrating the "launch date" and start tracking Value Realisation every 30 days post-launch. For a mid-market firm, a successful indirect spend transformation can yield 10% to 25% in hard cost savings. That isn't just a "procurement win", it’s a massive lift to your EBITDA. Transformation isn’t about the software you buy; it’s about the Clarity, Value, and Momentum you build. If your digital roadmap is stalled and your ROI is invisible, you don’t need a new platform, you need a new strategy. I help leaders bridge the gap between digital ambition and measurable fiscal impact. If you send me a DM, we can talk numbers.