Ending the Blue Monday of bad processes with SAP Clean Core

Blue Monday, famously coined as the “most depressing day of the year,” arrives each January with a gloomy reputation. Its origins date back to a marketing campaign that used a pseudo-scientific formula to pinpoint this infamous Monday, tied to post-holiday blues, failed resolutions, and dreary weather. While the science doesn’t hold up, the sentiment resonates—January can feel like a tough slog.

But what if we flipped the script? What if Blue Monday became an opportunity rather than a setback? Instead of dwelling on challenges, businesses can use this day as a launchpad—a moment to pause, reassess, and refocus their priorities.

Reframing Blue Monday for Business Success

Think of it as a reset button. Blue Monday isn’t just another day on the calendar; it’s a chance to tackle inefficiencies, spark innovation, and set a purposeful tone for the months ahead. By confronting hurdles early and setting clear goals, organisations can gain a head start, transforming the narrative into one of empowerment and progress.

As the holiday glow fades and Q1 planning takes centre stage, teams are ready to dive into the year with fresh energy. It’s a time when the same inefficiencies that have been plaguing business processes are somehow more noticeable and frustrating. The thought of dealing with this for the rest of the year can be tough on moral but, there’s a collective appetite for improvement waiting to be tapped into. Businesses that seize this moment to recalibrate would have a significantly increased chance of outpacing competitors still caught in the post-holiday slump.

Practical Actions to Turn Blues into Breakthroughs

Here are four actionable strategies to transform the blues into breakthroughs:

1. Pulse Check
   Start by assessing your current systems and workflows. Are outdated processes holding your team back? Look for bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or areas where manual tasks could be automated. By identifying pain points, you’ll have a clear picture of where to focus your efforts.
2. Cut Through the Buzzwords
   Terms like “Clean Core” and “Digital Transformation” dominate conversations currently, but are they delivering real value to your organisation? Take a step back and evaluate whether these initiatives are addressing the root causes of inefficiencies or simply chasing trends. For example, achieving a Clean Core may be impossible due to custom complexities- but that’s not to say it can’t be clean-ish. Prioritise actions that align with your unique goals and challenges.
3. Leveraging Technology
   Use this moment to assess your tech stack. Are your tools working for you, or are they holding you back? Adopting scalable platforms like SAP BTP or exploring data management solutions can help you tackle inefficiencies and prepare for future demands.
4. Creating Early Wins
   Focus on achievable goals that inspire confidence and create momentum. Whether it’s launching a new initiative, improving collaboration tools, or tackling data quality issues, small victories set the stage for larger successes.
5. 5. Use This Week to Set the Tone
   Blue Monday is the perfect opportunity to reset. Organise a workshop, host a strategy session, or gather input from key stakeholders. This collaborative approach ensures you’re tackling challenges with a unified, energised team and lays the groundwork for a productive year.

Why the Clean(ish) Core Conversation Matters Now

The SAP Clean Core has become a critical focus for organisations striving to improve efficiency and adaptability. At its heart, the concept is about simplifying and modernising business systems to reduce complexity and future-proof operations. With the advent of AI, digital transformation is no longer optional, and a clean, streamlined foundation is essential for long-term success.

For decision-makers and influencers, SAP Clean Core offers a way to tackle challenges head-on. Outdated systems and overly customised environments often slow organisations down, increase costs, and make adapting to change a monumental task. That said, a truly clean core is the holy grail of ERP, and whilst it can be pursued, it cannot always be achieved. Instead, by embracing a Clean(ish) Core approach, businesses can incrementally reduce unnecessary layers, optimise processes without disruption, and enable them to retain some of the essential custom processes. In other words, It’s like having a big sort-out and renovation for a house, rather than building a new one from scratch.

For example, take Watches of Switzerland and their recent legacy SAP app upgrade.

Core Blimey: Realising the potential of SAP Clean Core Solutions

So, how do you move beyond the buzzwords to deliver real results? That’s where our upcoming webinar comes in. We’ll cut through the jargon to unpack what a Clean Core really means in practice. From actionable insights to lessons we have personally learned, we’ll share practical steps to help you drive meaningful progress.

Don’t let those same inefficiencies hold you back this year. Break the blues of bad processes.

Find out more about the webinar here.