Working in SAP

Meet Ebru Kuzucu, Director in SAP Consulting

Can you describe a typical day on the job?

A typical day for me starts with a review of my meetings ahead and a quick plan for the day. I’m early into the office, prioritise the “must do” tasks for the day. Monday is my planning day and Friday is the day I meet our project team to look back at the week to see what progress we have made and agree on the actions.

I also started oil and acrylic painting recently which helps me relax. It also helps me notice and appreciate the little things around me more.

What type of projects do you work on?

I am currently managing a SAP S/4 HANA implementation.

What skills do you use daily?

A large part of my role is project management which requires attention to detail. I often use my SAP skills to understand dependencies in the project and the overall project phases in a typical SAP programme. I use my people management skills to understand individuals’ strengths to align them with the right roles.

What is the hardest part of your day?

When I’m under pressure I have to remember to step back and look at the overall challenge and break it down into small digestible pieces instead of stressing or worrying about how I will achieve the end result. It can be hard to do it in the heat of things but it is a very effective tool.

Do you have any productivity tips that help you through the working day?

Prioritisation of the daily and weekly key tasks is key for me. If I am asked to provide something from our management then I try to understand the reason why that is requested and the dependencies on my deliverables so that I understand the implications.

When you first started this job, what were you most surprised to learn was important in the role?

When I first started managing SAP implementations I realised that the management and communication skills were very critical to the success of the project. More so than the technical skills which I have been developing over the years.

How has this role changed as this sector has grown and evolved?

ERP systems have become very complex and diverse over the years with more and more new applications being added to the portfolio of ERP applications. Our clients prefer to outsource these niche ERP skills from consulting firms like Deloitte and they expect high-quality services from us. So we need to be at the top of our game and make sure we keep ourselves up to date with all developments in technology.

What do you enjoy most about the job?

Developing something that is core to our clients' business. Something that will transform their business and help them get ready for future technological advancements.