Avero Advisors

06/08/2026

Big consulting firms are often treated as a safety net for government ERP projects — but size and brand don’t guarantee success.

We unpack why some of the most expensive ERP failures happen under well-known firms: junior staffing, misaligned incentives, and implementation models optimized for billable hours instead of outcomes. We break down a real city case, the hidden risks leaders underestimate, and the three questions every agency should ask before signing any consulting contract.

Modernization doesn’t fail because of software alone. It fails when incentives aren’t aligned with public service.

06/01/2026

Software demos are polished, rehearsed, and built to impress — but they rarely reflect what your team will actually use on day one. Governments get burned when they rely on future features, AI mockups, or roadmap promises instead of verifying what’s real.

Vaporware isn’t new, but AI has made it easier than ever for vendors to present features that don’t exist. The only protection is structure: proof-of-life demonstrations, sandbox access, contract penalties for missing roadmap dates, and strict milestone-based payments.

If you can’t drive the mouse yourself, it’s not ready for your organization.

05/25/2026

Many government CIOs were promoted for their technical strength, not because they were prepared for executive leadership. The gap shows up quickly: communication, risk framing, budgeting, and influencing organizational direction all require a different skill set.

This reel highlights the real shift — moving from task ex*****on to enterprise thinking. When IT leaders learn to speak in outcomes instead of jargon, align resources instead of expanding them, and lead through clarity, they position themselves as true strategic partners.

Tune in: https://ow.ly/lr9m50XE3bY

05/18/2026

Many IT professionals want to move into CIO roles but hit the same barrier: they’re still communicating like practitioners in a space that requires executive-level influence. The transition isn’t about learning new technology — it’s about reframing value, managing risk, justifying investments, and speaking the language of leadership.

When IT leaders adjust how they communicate and position their work, they stop reacting to tasks and start shaping strategy. That’s the shift that moves someone from “IT support” to a true executive decision-maker.

Listen now: https://ow.ly/3v1950XE38Y

05/11/2026

Vendor threats are becoming more common: expiring discounts, sunsetting systems, “no more support after this date.” In reality, these pressure tactics often push agencies into decisions they aren’t ready to make — and create long-term technical and political consequences.

The truth is, even when a vendor is transitioning off an old platform, there are always options for short-term support or temporary stabilization. Agencies still need the old system to function for 12–18 months during an ERP replacement. Rushing into a new solution because of vendor pressure almost always leads to misalignment, budget strain, or implementation failure.

Strong leadership means slowing down the sales cycle, refocusing on vision and outcomes, and evaluating whether the solution actually moves the needle for service delivery — not just for Q4 numbers.

Listen now: https://ow.ly/4E3t50XuVew

05/04/2026

ERP modernization is never just a technology decision — it’s a political, operational, and organizational one. Vendor stability, staffing turnover, sunsetting products, perceived conflicts of interest, and internal pressure can all push agencies toward choices that create long-term risk.

When a vendor loses key staff or stops investing in product development, support quality declines. When implementers also resell software, “agnostic” recommendations become questionable. And when decisions are made too quickly, agencies often find themselves locked into systems that can’t support their workflows.

The teams that succeed approach ERP with clarity: a defined vision, an honest assessment of pain points, and governance that aligns with how the organization already makes decisions. Modernization only works when strategy comes before software.

Tune in: https://ow.ly/QjcE50XuV7I

04/27/2026

AI is being pitched as a fix-all for government, but many of today’s “AI solutions” are simply custom software wrapped in new language. For agencies that spent decades escaping heavily customized systems, this trend should raise alarms.

Our latest episode breaks down why custom development is resurfacing in GovTech, how shadow IT risks are accelerating, and why leaders must stay grounded in fundamentals: clean data, process clarity, well-defined outcomes, and change-ready teams.

We also highlight what legitimate partners look like—those with true local government expertise, realistic expectations, and solutions built for specific, well-understood problems.

AI isn’t magic. It’s one component of a modern stack, and it only delivers value when paired with strong strategy and responsible ex*****on.

Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2390996/episodes/18188512

AI may be the hottest topic in GovTech, but much of today’s conversation is being shaped by rebranded legacy vendors, recycled “experts,” and custom development disguised as artificial intelligence. In this episode, we unpack how custom software h...

04/20/2026

AI is taking center stage in government conversations, but meaningful results only happen when agencies ground the work in strategy, not hype. In our latest episode, we break down why the most effective AI initiatives begin with clearly defined problems, measurable baselines, and a realistic understanding of existing processes and data.

We also highlight the patterns emerging from early AI pilots: narrow scopes outperform broad promises, data governance can make or break outcomes, and “no IT lift required” is almost always a red flag. Agencies don’t need AI for everything—they need a structured approach that aligns people, workflows, and long-term goals.

AI becomes valuable when it supports well-designed operations, not replaces them.

Listen now: https://ow.ly/NTXH50XrsyJ

04/13/2026

Most vendor presentations fail for predictable reasons: too many slides, not enough human connection, and no time left for real questions.

In this episode, Megan Seaton and Robert Kornovich talk about how governments and vendors can reshape shortlist interviews into real conversations. From structuring the time, to reducing question overload, to making space for storytelling and Q&A, they share what actually works — and what derails good teams.

A great presentation isn’t about the deck. It’s about building trust in the people who will do the work.

Tune in: https://ow.ly/jbOh50XrglK

04/06/2026

If your shortlist interviews feel like you’re talking to a wall… you probably are.

In this week’s GovTech, Megan Seaton and Robert Kornovich talk about why turning your camera ON can completely change the energy — and the outcome — of your vendor presentations.

- Tips for better engagement
- How to read the (virtual) room
- Why Q&A time matters more than slides

Tune in to: https://ow.ly/xjKm50Xrg3V