{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Catch Up Podcast","title":"Lessons from the Front Line of D365 with Chris Lalley","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/b3639d97\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2687,"description":"What does it actually take to land a complex ERP or Dynamics 365 transformation without becoming another horror story? In this episode of The Catch Up, host Phillip Blackmore sits down with seasoned programme leader Chris Lalley to unpack the realities of delivering large‑scale finance and D365 projects in the real world. They explore how careers evolve from operational finance into programme leadership, why variety and curiosity matter, and how personal quirks like “dishwasher‑level” OCD can be a genuine asset in delivery.Throughout the conversation, Chris returns to a consistent theme: technology‑enabled transformation is fundamentally about people, not platforms. That message is timely. Recent research shows that while ERP capabilities have advanced, 55–75% of projects still fail to hit their original objectives, with average cost overruns near 189%, largely due to organisational, not technical, issues. Chris explains how he approaches new engagements, from establishing vision and sponsorship to assessing team capability and rescuing “programmes in jeopardy”. For leaders about to embark on a D365 or ERP journey, this episode offers grounded, experience‑led guidance on what success really demands.Chris Lalley: Chris Lalley is an experienced ERP and finance transformation programme leader with a background that spans Big Five accounting, industry finance roles and large‑scale technology‑enabled change. Starting his career in operational finance at firms such as Arthur Andersen and Ernst & Young, he led major internal projects including a global PeopleSoft implementation and the establishment of an offshore shared service centre in Bangalore. That exposure to complex programmes sparked his move into full‑time project and programme leadership, where he has since delivered and recovered high‑stakes ERP and Dynamics 365 initiatives across multiple sectors. Drawing on years of hands‑on delivery, Chris is known for his focus on people, structure and sponsorship as the...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/iWBZTiC94l_5ILnmTBn8PhdqZZ1oGG1Nu4q8ji6v23Q/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS83NDYz/NGM5ZWU5NzM4OTI1/ZDA5YTgxYmExZTBj/NDc5YS5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}