Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) mistakes are often ignored by many business owners because they do not feel urgent at first. Decisions are rushed, software is chosen too early, requirements are unclear, data issues are overlooked, and teams are not fully aligned. Initially, everything may seem fine, but once the system is implemented, problems emerge. Costs rise, timelines stretch, and employees struggle with a system that does not support the way the business works.
Kati Hvidtfeldt, COO and Partner at HandsFree ERP, helps businesses avoid these costly pitfalls before they happen. She works closely with leaders and teams to ensure decisions are well-informed, the right software is selected, and requirements are clearly defined.
Kati guides organizations in understanding their real needs, organizing their data, and setting measurable goals so that ERP systems genuinely support the business. Through her frameworks and leadership practices, Kati strengthens decision-making, accountability, and operational efficiency, helping companies get the most out of their ERP investments.
Origin Story
Kati Hvidtfeldt’s journey to HandsFree ERP began long before the company existed. Early in her career, she worked with organizations that spent heavily on ERP systems, believing the software alone would fix their problems. Instead, she saw capable and hardworking teams struggle, not because they lacked skill or effort, but because they did not have clear direction or support at the right time.
Kati often helped bridge the gap between leadership goals and day-to-day implementation. These experiences shaped how she leads today. They taught her the importance of clear thinking, honest communication, and making practical decisions that leaders can trust.
HandsFree ERP was built from this experience. Kati Hvidtfeldt believes that ERP success comes from proper preparation, clear guidance, and careful planning. Her focus has always been on creating systems that support people, reduce confusion, and help organizations grow in a steady and meaningful way.
Choosing Quality and Neutrality Over Fast Expansion
One of Kati’s biggest challenges was growing her advisory team without losing its neutrality or quality. As demand increased, it would have been easy to rely on shortcuts or overly strict processes that could favor vendors.
Instead, she chose a more careful approach. She focused on strong judgment and made sure the team stayed responsible for their decisions. This also meant saying no to work that didn’t match the company’s values and investing in building the team’s skills rather than chasing quick growth.
From this experience, Kati Hvidtfeldt learned that true leadership isn’t about moving fast. It’s about protecting values and trust so the organization can grow the right way.
Fixing ERP Problems Before They Turn Costly
HandsFree ERP solves a problem that many organizations only discover after their ERP project has already started or failed. Many companies make ERP decisions without being fully prepared, without clear requirements, and without a shared understanding across teams. This often leads to wrong choices early on, which later result in delays, higher costs, and frustration.
HandsFree ERP works with organizations before and during ERP initiatives to help prevent these issues. The team focuses on clarifying real business requirements, understanding data readiness, reviewing operating models, and identifying risks early. This happens before software demonstrations, contracts, or implementation decisions influence the outcome.
What sets HandsFree ERP apart is its strong ERP advisory experience combined with structured discovery frameworks and a technology-supported approach. The company remains completely vendor neutral, which allows the team to uncover hidden risks, ask the right questions, and guide better decisions that others may miss.
Frameworks That Improve Performance and Decision-Making
HandsFree ERP has developed several internal frameworks and practices that have significantly improved performance, efficiency, and decision-making.
One of the most impactful is the decision-traceability model, which ensures that every recommendation is directly linked to specific business drivers, constraints, and trade-offs. This makes decisions transparent, logical, and easier to follow for the team and clients.
Internally, the company emphasizes disciplined requirements thinking, outcome-focused planning, and accountability checkpoints rather than rigid, step-by-step project plans. For leadership, the guiding principle is: clarity comes before speed. This approach reduces errors, minimizes rework, and builds trust across teams and with clients.
Additionally, the ERP Success Framework offers practical guidance for organizations, including an online academy that helps teams prepare thoroughly for ERP projects. These frameworks together make decision-making smarter, processes more efficient, and project outcomes more successful.
Faster, Smarter Decisions with Automation
Kati Hvidtfeldt believes that the key trends shaping the ERP industry are:
- Faster, smarter decisions through automation and new technologies. Decisions that were once slow and manual are now happening quickly. While this opens new opportunities, it also introduces risks if not carefully managed.
- Shift toward integrated and flexible ERP environments. Organizations are increasingly adopting systems that connect processes and data across functions. This makes strong data governance and thoughtful system architecture more important than ever.
- Recognition that ERP challenges are mostly organizational, not just technical. Technology alone rarely causes failure. Misaligned processes, unclear roles, and leadership gaps are often the real reasons projects stumble.
HandsFree ERP helps clients navigate these changes by building ERP knowledge, improving decision-making readiness, and strengthening data foundations. This approach allows organizations to adopt new systems thoughtfully rather than reacting under pressure. Whether implementing a new ERP system, improving data quality, or enhancing productivity and processes, HandsFree ERP focuses on helping businesses make the right choices for sustainable, long-term success.
Client Success Story
Influence is built on trust and results. One notable example involved a mid-market company preparing to replace its ERP system after a previous implementation had failed.
By engaging early, HandsFree ERP helped the organization:
- Restore discipline around requirements that had been overlooked before
- Align leadership expectations across departments
- Address critical data issues that could have caused delays or errors
The outcomes were significant:
- A much shorter software selection process
- Avoidance of repeat implementation failures
- A clear, structured ERP program with executive alignment and measurable success criteria
The true value extended beyond speed and efficiency. It built confidence, accountability, and a strong foundation for lasting results, showing how HandsFree ERP delivers practical, reliable impact for its clients.
Recognized as a Top ERP Solutions Provider
While HandsFree ERP is intentionally conservative about publishing financial figures, its impact can be seen through verifiable and representable metrics:
- Recognized as a Top ERP Solutions Provider by CIO Review
- Selected as a Top Company to Watch by multiple industry publications
- Helping clients reduce ERP selection and readiness timelines by months, not weeks
- Expanding global client footprint across North America and Europe
These achievements highlight the company’s credibility and influence without overstating its scale.
Vision for Next 2-3 Years
Over the next 2–3 years,  HandsFree ERP will focus on combining smart technology, strong leadership, and efficient operations to drive sustainable growth.
The strategic focus areas and their approximate allocations are:
| Strategic Focus Area | Approximate Allocation |
| Technology & automation | 30% |
| Talent & leadership development | 25% |
| Operational excellence | 20% |
| Market & client expansion | 15% |
| Compliance, security & ethical governance | 10% |
Data Safety First
Trust is at the heart of HandsFree ERP. The company never resells software, takes referral fees, or earns money from vendor decisions. All advice is based on clear evidence, written down, and open for clients to check.
When it comes to data and compliance, strict rules are followed. Clients always keep full control of their decisions. Everything is transparent, with no hidden assumptions or undisclosed trade-offs. This makes sure the company’s work is honest, ethical, and reliable.
Partnering with Ecosystem Providers and Data Specialists
Partnerships are a key part of HandsFree ERP’s growth, but only when there is a clear alignment of values. The company collaborates with ecosystem providers, data specialists, and educators who help enhance its advisory services, while ensuring it stays independent and objective.
When it comes to acquisitions, HandsFree ERP takes a careful and deliberate approach. Every partnership or alliance is selected to strengthen capabilities, improve services, and add value, without ever compromising the trust it has built with clients and partners.
Simple and Practical Advice
Kati Hvidtfeldt gives advice that’s simple, practical, and easy to follow. She believes leaders build influence through clear thinking, not just charm. She encourages asking thoughtful questions before giving answers and warns against shortcuts that might seem quick but can break trust.
For Kati Hvidtfeldt, real success comes from taking responsibility for results, not just ideas. In ERP and beyond, the leaders who last are the ones who face challenges head-on and respect the complexity of their work, instead of avoiding it.
Top CIO and Enterprise Features
HandsFree ERP and its leadership have been recognized by industry publications, including CIO Review, CIO Bulletin, and Global Business Leader Magazine. These honors reflect the company’s expertise as well as its commitment to approaching ERP work in a responsible, transparent, and thoughtful way.
Tier 1: Enterprise and CIO-Focused Publications (Highest Relevance)
- CIO Review: Cover Story, March 2025
- CIO Bulletin: Cover Story
Tier 2: Executive Leadership and Industry Transformation
- Global Business Leaders Magazine: Feature Article
- Conglomerate Magazine: Cover Story
Tier 3: Business Leadership and Culture
- Business Tycoon Magazine: Cover Story, Leadership Profile
- Business Honor Magazine: Feature Profile
These features highlight HandsFree ERP’s vendor-neutral advisory approach, its disciplined focus on ERP readiness, the importance of cultural alignment in transformation initiatives, and the leadership team’s perspective on reducing enterprise risk.
Quick Takes
1. One tool or app you would recommend to professionals in your industry:Â
Video editing tools are so sophisticated that you can make very targeted video messages fast today.
2. One quote that motivates you the most:
No mistakes. Only lessons.
3. One piece of advice you would offer to upcoming entrepreneurs or future business leaders:
You’ll learn more from what doesn’t work than from what does, if you’re honest enough to notice. Don’t be afraid to take a few risks and fumbles.
4. One movie or book you recommend everyone in business or leadership should experience:Â
Mel Robbins’ Let Them… is a great guide for personal and professional life. It taught me to let go faster of ideas that don’t work.
Kati Hvidtfeldt’s 5 Impactful Business Mantras
- Prepare Before Acting: Understand your needs, organize data, and set clear requirements.
- Put People First: Make systems and processes work for the teams using them.
- Integrity Over Speed: Protect values and make careful, smart decisions.
- Clarity Is Key: Clear communication and measurable goals build trust and efficiency.
- Learn and Lead: Treat challenges as lessons and take practical steps for lasting impact.
