Empowering Growth in Malaysia: A Journey Through the SAP Social Sabbatical Global Assignment

The completion of my SAP Social Sabbatical Global Assignment has been a transformative experience, blending professional growth with meaningful impact. This journey, which spanned 10 weeks, began with six weeks of meticulous preparation, followed by four weeks of intense collaboration with our host organization in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Together with fellow experts Sally Kurtz and Yraiza Méndez, CFE from SAP, we developed a comprehensive three-dimensional proposal encompassing people, processes, and technology to support Women Of Will Malaysia 's future growth.

6 Weeks of Preparation

The first six weeks of the assignment were dedicated to preparation, starting with an introduction to an extended team of 12 colleagues from across the globe. These individuals were recognized experts in their respective domains, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. This phase was not just about preparing for the assignment; it was about building connections with these experts, understanding the nuances of the location we were headed to, and gaining insights into the host clients we would be working with.

During this time, we engaged in extensive research, virtual meetings, connect with the host organizations to know their setup and needs. The opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of professionals added immense value to the preparation process, allowing us to approach the project from multiple perspectives.

4 Weeks of Intense Collaboration and Execution

With a solid foundation in place, we embarked on the next phase, land in Kuala Lumpur, Malesia to kick start four weeks of on-the-ground collaboration with Women Of Will Malaysia . This period was marked by intense work, where theory meet practice, and our collective expertise was put to the test.

It all started on the 2nd weekend July, where 12 experts from SAP Daniela Norato Auer, PMP Piyush Kumar Melissa Spires Denis Afanasev Monica Hostiuc Shobhit Jain Carlos Ramirez Sally Kurtz Venkateswara Sarma Bhamidipati Yraiza Méndez, CFE Neha Agrawal Zamira Santana, located at different part of world meeting almost for the first time, going through a series of team building activities. We were divided into 4 sub teams of 3 to work with 4 different organizations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The result explains, why 12 experts from different parts of the world gathered at Kuala Lumpur – we all have the same target – Bring our best to support the host organizations to generate long term impact.

Next 4 weeks are split into 3 parts.

Week 1 – The Immersion Phase

Initial week is "week of immersion and understanding" the organization's needs. our (sub-)team of 3 (Sally, Yraiza and me) was completely immersed into Women Of Will Malaysia and their activities. We were part of their team visiting PPEs as part of their famous "Wowed" program, meeting the community members at their community kitchen, community garden and community sewing centre. We have also conducted several interviews with team at WoW to understand their needs and processes along with things observed in the field.

Week 2 and Week 3 – A Three-Dimensional Proposal for Sustainable Growth

Following two weeks of the program is for intensive collaboration to develop and implement solutions.

Our efforts culminated in a comprehensive three-dimensional proposal addressing the people, processes, and technology aspects of the host organization. This proposal was designed to be practical and actionable, providing the organization with a clear roadmap for achieving its growth objectives.

1. People: Recognizing that people are the backbone of any organization, we conducted several discussions and interviews with the host organization’s employees, which helped us identifying the areas of focus in terms of processes and skills. Based on this, we have provided tailored guidance to enhance their processes and capabilities, ensuring they were well-equipped to drive the organization’s growth.

2. Processes: We conducted a thorough analysis of the organization’s existing processes, identifying areas for improvement and optimization. Our goal was to streamline operations, reduce inefficiencies, and create a more agile and responsive organizational structure.

3. Technology: Leveraging our expertise in SAP solutions, we proposed technological enhancements to support the organization’s future expansion. This included recommendations for implementing scalable software solutions, automating routine tasks, and improving data management systems to enable better decision-making.

Week 4 – Consolidating the Efforts

Final week was to consolidate our efforts, present it to the host, providing the detailed deliverables, grouped into the 3 dimensions – People, Processes and Technology, along with the examples and detailed explanation. Target of every one was to ensure a lasting legacy, this week was intense with discussions what (needs to be done) and how (it can be achieved), how can the host plan it in steps.

The host organization received our recommendations positively, and it was gratifying to see the tangible impact of our work. The organization now has the tools and strategies needed to navigate its growth journey to generate impact throughout Malaysia and Beyond.

Beyond the Host Organization: Unique Networking Opportunity

While our primary focus was on contributing to the host organization’s needs, the SAP Social Sabbatical Global Assignment also provided a unique opportunity to network with 11 other experts from within our organization and many more from SAP Malaysia and also many of the visionaries working to generate impact in Malaysia. This experience allowed us to exchange ideas, share best practices, and learn from each other’s experiences. The relationships built during this time have not only enhanced my professional network but have also enriched my understanding of global business challenges and solutions.

Daniela Norato Auer, PMP Piyush Kumar Melissa Spires Denis Afanasev Monica Hostiuc Shobhit Jain Carlos Ramirez Sally Kurtz Yraiza Méndez, CFE Neha Agrawal Zamira Santana Jessica Low Jeff Sandhu Lakshwin Muruga Devasharma Gangadaran Ir. Ts. Kuhan Pathy Pasupathi Sithamparam and so on...

Reflections and Takeaways

Participating in the SAP Social Sabbatical Global Assignment has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It reinforced the importance of collaboration, empathy, and the willingness to step out of one’s comfort zone to make a difference. Working in a different cultural and business environment broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of global challenges.

This experience also highlighted the power of teamwork. The success of our project was a direct result of the diverse skills and dedication of each team member. Together, we created a lasting impact, not just for Women Of Will Malaysia , but also for ourselves as professionals.

As I return to my role, I carry with me new insights, skills, and a renewed sense of purpose. The SAP Social Sabbatical has been more than just an assignment; it has been a journey of growth, learning, and making a positive impact. I am excited to bring back these experiences to my organization and to continue contributing to the success of our clients and partners.

In conclusion, the SAP Social Sabbatical Global Assignment has been a transformative experience, one that has left an indelible mark on my professional and personal life. It has been an honor to be part of this program, and I look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of the host organization in Malaysia.

Daniela Norato Auer, PMP Piyush Kumar Melissa Spires Denis Afanasev Monica Hostiuc Shobhit Jain Carlos Ramirez Sally Kurtz Yraiza Méndez, CFE Neha Agrawal Zamira Santana Jessica Low Jeff Sandhu Lakshwin Muruga Devasharma Gangadaran Ir. Ts. Kuhan Pathy

Thanks SAP for this opportunity to give back, and Hemang Desai and Julia Donovan from SAP and Pyxera Global Claudia Kaupert, Rajesh Varghese, vivekka puvaneswaran, Ir. Ts. Kuhan Pathy for their extraordinary efforts in handling of all aspects of this Social Sabbatical engagement.?Last, but not least, many thanks to Jessica Low for her mentorship throughout the engagement and together with Vipin Chandran for welcoming us to the Malaysia SAP Office.

#SAP #SocialSabbatical #SAP4Good #KualaLumpur #Malaysia

SAP Labs India, SAP