Harley Davidson Motor Company: Enterprise Software Selection

Recommendation Memo

To:

From:

Date: January 21, 2012

SUBJECT: Harley Davidson Motor Company: Enterprise Software Selection

This recommends that Harley Davidson choose Provider 1 as their supplier and partner in implementing an enterprise-wide Supply and Change Management system. This choice will provide improved productivity and therefore a more conducive environment to increase sales.

Background

• Harley Davidson valued long term relationship potential and teamwork which played a critical role in its culture. The concept of self-directed teams, with a Strategy Council from each group, ensured in return that an integrated vision of corporate direction was shared too. Garry Berryman envisioned the purchasing organization becoming a key enterprise-wide point of contact with suppliers who would establish true and long term relationship with the company. This set the stage for the in-depth process of selecting a supplier.

Recommendation

• Our objective is to select Provider 1 as the supplier and partner in implementing an enterprise-wide Supply Management system.

Basis for Recommendation

• Provider 1 is very aware of Change Management methodologies, training processes and shares Harley Davidson’s values of casual but competent teamwork environment.

• Provider 1’s corporate culture matches Harley Davidson’s one. As Pues eloquently stated, “People like doing business with people they like.”

Discussion:

• If the cultures of the two firms in question are completely incompatible and non-conducive to a productive environment then the partnership will most likely fail. Considering the compatibility of the Provider 1 and Harley Davidson on the organizational side, it is most likely that the two firms will be able to create a long lasting relationship conducive to productive and profitable behavior allowing for growth and prosperity of both firms.