Bracing for Change: Developing Your Change Management Know-How

Insight Magazine recently interviewed two UHY Organizational Change Management leaders about the challenges organizations face when implementing new software and how to keep pace with technological acceleration.

Insight Magazine: Tell us a little about yourselves – your professional background, what you’re doing now and how you’re connected to the Oracle user community. Beth, let’s start with you.

Beth McLaughlin: My journey with the Oracle community began as a Hyperion Planning (System 9!) administrator. At the time, I joined the Oracle Applications & Technology Users Group (OATUG) community to connect with like-minded professionals who could help answer questions and inspire ideas when I encountered Oracle-related challenges. That sense of community drew me in, and it’s been a constant source of support and growth ever since. In 2016, I had the privilege of joining the OATUG Board of Directors, where I served for six years. During my time on the board, I focused on initiatives I’m deeply passionate about, such as the Women in Technology program and the Emerging Leaders initiative. These programs reflect my commitment to empowering individuals and fostering collaboration in our industry. Today, I’m a Director of Change Management at UHY, where I specialize in promoting the people side of change. I believe that successful transformations are as much about the people as they are about the processes and systems. I’m also proud to hold certifications in change management (CCMP) and project management (PMP), which underpin my approach to navigating complex projects with a focus on sustainable, people-centric outcomes.

Beverly Zoeller: I began my career in accounting and finance as a CPA, transitioning from public accounting into an industry accounting management role. In this position, I had the opportunity to experience a large ERP implementation from the end-user perspective, witnessing both the success of strong change management practices and the challenges that arise when those practices are lacking.

After spending the first 15 years of my career in accounting and finance, I took on the role of business lead in building a shared service organization for an order-to-cash facility, which included the implementation of new technology. This experience was pivotal, deepening my understanding of the critical role change management plays in helping teams adapt to new ways of working. It sparked my passion for the field, leading me to pursue a career in change management.

Now with 14 years of experience in change management, I’ve had the privilege of driving transformational initiatives for a diverse range of global organizations. In 2022, I joined UHY Consulting as the Director of the Organizational Change team, where I led the development of the UHY Change Framework and approach. The Mastermind series marks my introduction to OATUG, and I’m thrilled to connect with and contribute to such a dynamic and innovative community.

Insight: That’s great. Thank you for those introductions! Let’s start with the basics. Can you explain what change management is (in a nutshell) and why this is an important topic for the Oracle user community?

Bev: Sure! At its core, change management is about helping people adopt new ways of working. It’s the structured approach to guiding individuals, teams, and organizations through transitions—whether that’s implementing new technology, adjusting processes, or evolving organizational culture.

For the Oracle user community, this is especially critical. As we implement Oracle solutions, we’re not just changing systems; we’re impacting how people perform their jobs, interact with technology, and collaborate with each other. Without effective change management, even the best technical implementations can fall short if users don’t embrace the changes. By focusing on the people side of change, we can ensure smoother transitions, drive user adoption, and ultimately achieve the business outcomes these projects are designed to deliver.

Insight: What are the common challenges organizations face when implementing new software applications, and how can change management help overcome these challenges?

Read the full Q&A in Insight Magazine.