Last month, I celebrated three significant milestones: my 40th birthday, my two-year workaversary at SAP, and my first 90 days in Marketing. In keeping with the theme of anniversaries, this year SAP and its more than 100,000 SAP’ians worldwide will celebrate the company’s golden jubilee and 50th anniversary.
My big 4-0 is a story for another day; for now, I would like to share my experiences as a SAP’ian over the last two years.
Personally, my birthday month is a time of deep reflection; however, this year’s reflections were unprecedented. My time at SAP was a recurring theme in my thoughts, particularly the people. Having had the honour of working with such incredible individuals naturally made them a prominent feature of my reflections. Despite spending 22 of my 24 months with SAP alone at home, I never felt isolated because there was always someone checking in on me. Through their unwavering efforts to make me feel welcomed and supported, I came to understand and appreciate the true meaning of the SAP family.
When I consider my journey as a SAP’ian, a few things stand out and fill me with pride.
First and foremost, my work has been both challenging and fulfilling, and I see a strong connection between my contributions and SAP’s mission. “Helping the world run better” is not just a catchphrase, we live it. Our mission to create a prosperous and equitable future for all resonates strongly with me. Our vision to improve people’s lives, transform industries, grow economies, and preserve the environment for future generations is a reality.
Second, there is a strong sense of community among us. When times are good, we win together, and when times are tough, we stick together. During the pandemic, when some companies cut salaries and laid off employees, SAP’s commitment to employee well-being was all the proof I needed to know that I had made the right decision by joining SAP.
Third, SAP prioritizes fairness. Although we strive for excellence, our leaders are fair in their approach and reasonable in their expectations, both globally and locally here in Africa. They practice what they preach and hold themselves to the same standards as everyone else in the organization.
Finally, no challenge is too big or insurmountable for us; we always “maak ‘n plan” (make a plan). We have a strong culture of service and helping one another; I have never asked for assistance and received a negative response. We understand that, at the end of the day, no matter what your role is, all our efforts are in service of our customers.
Looking ahead to this year, I am excited to collaborate with my fellow SAP’ians in the Africa Market Unit and beyond, as we strive for excellence in our quest to help the world run better. What sets us apart is our ability to collaborate and work together with purpose to achieve common goals. Our secret recipe is our commitment and trust in one another, as well as our desire for continuous creativity and excellence. I am excited to see what the future holds for all of us.
SAP is undoubtedly a special place; my blood is blue, and I am a proud SAP’ian.
