A career in SAP is filled with several pitfalls along the way. This is true for both SAP consultants who work on a full-time basis and for those who work on a contractual basis. Only SAP consultants with enthusiasm and drive to survive in the strongly competing world of SAP thrive. The following is a list of the top mistakes to avoid while making a career in SAP according to some of the most prominent SAP consultants in the market:
Choosing an Improper SAP Area to Specialize
The SAP field that you specialize in will ultimately determine your SAP career. Selecting an appropriate SAP area to specialize in is simpler said than done. The key to success in SAP is pursuing an area that does not only match your skill set but also that is in demand. It is not simple to get the balance between your core strengths and the industry needs right. No matter how ‘hot’ SAP area is, you are doomed to fail if you do not have the passion for it. On the other side, your SAP career will be unfulfilling if you have a passion for an area that has waning market demand.
Failing to Grow A Business Case While SAP Implementation
SAP consultants, particularly those from a predominantly IT background, often neglect the business fundamentals to any ERP implementation. Installing SAP ERP is not similar to installing any other software. The different SAP modules affect original business processes. Neglecting this fact can lead to unnecessary disruption in the business of an enterprise. This is of course not good for you as you will not be trusted with similar projects in the future. That is why you need to stipulate a specific business case for any SAP implementation or upgrade for all the stakeholders concerned to know in advance how the business processes will be modified and the implications of the changes.
Building A ‘One Size Fits All’ Solution To All Companies
Any expert SAP consultant worth his or her salt will agree that different companies have different cultures and needs. Two companies in the same industry can have completely differing cultures, and you cannot use SAP ERP to change that. It is therefore essential for you to treat each SAP implementation assignment as a completely different assignment from your previous one.
Seeking SAP Jobs without Giving Actual Business Examples
Believe it or not, your next client is not interested in your theoretical knowledge in SAP systems and configuration of business processes. Chances are your next client will be interested in knowing how your knowledge and experience in SAP systems will provide solutions to their business. You should, therefore, tailor your presentations to make it crystal clear how you will offer SAP solutions by giving real-life business examples.
Failing to Network
The last general mistake SAP consultants make failing to network. SAP consultants are famous for making bogged down on projects and neglecting that these projects would end soon. It is important to always seek out for new acquaintances in the industry as they may increase your chances of getting that stream of SAP jobs. Try to avoid making these mistakes as you build your career in SAP.