Business trip to Singapore? Why not!
My SAP adventure started 10 years ago, when I started working as an end user in financial module (SAP ERP). After few years of working in finances and payroll department I took a challenge of working with roll-out implementation project. I was a FI key user in this project and cooperated both with company’s departments (such as finances, purchase, controlling) and experienced FICO consultant. It was a unique and critical experience for me, that decided about my further career development.
I joined Apollogic in 2012 as a SAP ERP consultant in FI-CO modules and from the very beginning I work with Bunge client. I joined Support Team there, which was ensuring second-line support for countries from EMEA functioning on SAP system and solutions. My particular task was data service.
After a period of time I was transferred to central team working on this topic in a global way. Additionally, I started supporting ASIA and Australia in terms of data service, what used to be Singapore’s headquarters task before. I went there to get some more knowledge but it turned out to be rather an experience exchange. My visit to Singapore took place at the same time as productive starting of SAP system in China, processes connected with basic data are not fixed yet, so my experience collected during working for European region appeared to be precious.
During my stay, apart from knowledge transfer I concentrated on getting to know the structure of Asian business, and their projects and solutions functioning there. Transmission of knowledge was linked with cooperation with previous specialist, along with project manager coordination. Significant part of the work consist supporting of upcoming projects, as a result of the fact that succeeding localizations realize the implementation. Here, project consultants stand as contact persons. Working in support mostly consists working with end users, what requires different approach that in case of consultants. The rule “Never Assume, Always Ask” works here one hundred percent. Very often it is necessary to precise the essence of the problem by asking additional questions and exchanging information. 7-hour time difference is also big inconvenience, but in order to keep high quality of services I am teleworking and adjusting my job hours.
Singapore, although sounds exotic, reminds rather of some of Western metropolis. There is few differences though, which make this city a unique one. Excellent organization and tidiness, great manners and culture of citizens, restrictic law – so famous in Singapore. As Singaporean says: “Singapore is a fine city”, where the key word in this case is “fine” . Singapore is multicultural and multi-denomitional city. If we get a little bit farther from financial center we can reach Little India, Chinatown, Muslim districts, we may find much more of Asian influences. British influence and neighborhood make this place friendly and familiar for Europeans.
Business trip like this does not allow to fully benefit from Asia charm, as after full of work day at the office there isn’t much time left for sightseeing. With such a short trip, the hardest experiences include jet lag and waking up at 4 a.m. but joy and other positive impressions that come with this experience undoubtedly overshadow any inconveniences!
Report was written by Alicja Klimkowska – SAP ERP Consultant in Apollogic.
- On 03/03/2015
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