“We’ve always done it this way.”

Every company has heard it. Some leaders even say it themselves. It’s a phrase that feels safe, but in reality, it’s one of the biggest barriers to progress during a technology project.

When a business decides to invest in a new ERP or other major system, the motivation typically stems from a desire to work smarter, scale faster, or stay ahead of competitors. The system is meant to unlock opportunities. But if people fall back on the comfort of “the way things have always been done,” even the best technology will struggle to deliver its full value.

Comfort is not the same as readiness

Doing things the same way feels efficient because it’s familiar. However, familiarity often masks inefficiencies that are eroding performance. Processes that once worked fine may no longer match how the business operates. Habits that used to be helpful can quietly become obstacles.

Technology can give you the tools to move forward. Competitive advantage, however, comes from people who are willing to use those tools in new ways.

Change doesn’t happen by accident

Rolling out new systems is never just about technology. More than anything, it’s about helping teams let go of outdated processes and habits.

That doesn’t happen simply because the new platform goes live. It takes intention. It takes conversations that challenge old assumptions. And it takes leaders willing to show that trying something different is not just safe but expected.

Without that, “we’ve always done it this way” creeps into workshops, causing adoption to stall, and a shiny new system risks becoming an expensive version of the old one.

Building confidence to move differently

Real (effective) change happens when people feel supported in leaving behind what no longer serves the business. That means:

Giving employees clarity on why the change matters.
Creating safe spaces to test, learn and make mistakes.
Listening carefully when hesitation or quiet resistance shows up.

By doing this, you move the business onto new technology while moving your people (or rather, their thinking) with it at the same time. And that’s where the real competitive edge lies.

A new way forward

Technology can only really carry you part of the way.

The real difference comes from people who are ready to move with it. When “we’ve always done it this way” starts to fade, curiosity and creativity have space to grow. That’s when the system you’ve invested in finally pays off.