International Women's Day: Women at SAP S/4HANA

 Today is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate the achievements of women, to increase the visibility of women, and to call out inequality. 

Gender inequality is one of the bigger issues of our time, and it’s an issue that has been made more urgent by COVID-19: While the effects of the pandemic have disrupted the workplace for all of us in ways we have never seen before, the World Economic Forum suggests the pandemic threatens to set back decades of progress on gender equality.

 It is, therefore, very important to me that we all work together to end gender inequality to help create an inclusive world and I am committed to making SAP S/4HANA an inclusive and equal workplace for all.

#ChooseToChallenge

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is that a challenged world is an alert world and that from challenge comes change. We are all responsible for our own thoughts and actions and we can choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements: We can choose to challenge gender bias.

Jennifer Bryson

Data Scientist

SAP S/4HANA Consumer Industries Cloud & Quote to Cash

Newport Beach, California, USA

Have you faced any struggles from being a woman in a largely male industry?

I have faced struggles from being a woman in a largely male industry. For example, a few months ago I was told to help out with interviewing solely because there was a push from management to have more women conducting interviews. These situations always make me feel sad to be chosen for being a woman, instead of chosen for my merit and ability. I think it’s important to let the people who make these types of statements aware of how it might make some women feel, so that next time they could phrase their wording in a way that uplifts women instead of giving off the impression that women need to be given responsibilities out of pity. In this particular situation, a better phrasing would’ve been, “We have tons of talented female employees, and I noticed not many are helping out in interviews. Please make sure all talented individuals are helping with interviews, regardless of gender.” I hope, by pointing out and correcting poor wording, that the attitude of everyone being equal will spread over time.

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a woman thinking of starting a career in IT?

Do it! There are a lot of great jobs in IT.

What do you think is one of the biggest career challenges today facing women of your age?

Based on the lack of women in tech, C-suite roles, government leadership, and other historically male-dominated positions, I’m afraid there are still subconscious biases against women for certain positions. I’m looking forward to the day when people don’t think of a specific gender when they think of a role. Of course, many countries still need legal equality among the genders as well.

How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?

I think it’s really important for women to support each other in achieving our personal goals. It’s tough for everyone to get the highly esteemed positions. Positions that are historically male dominated can be even tougher for women, so we need to encourage each other to aim high and keep working towards our goals.

Is there a woman who has inspired you?

As a mathematician, I’m inspired by Maryam Mirzakhani who was the first and only woman to ever be honored with the Fields Medal, which is the most prestigious award in mathematics. She was a truly brilliant woman, and in 2014 she proved to the world that women belong on the list of the best mathematicians of all time.

Nidhi Prashant Augustine

User Assistance Development Architect

SAP S/4HANA R&D, Industries, & Cross Topics

Bangalore, India

What motivated you to join the IT industry/SAP?

I picked up Computer Applications as my main subject during graduation because that was the rage in those days. Luckily, I fell in love with it and from there it was a smooth transition to the IT Industry.

However, it was by chance that I happened to visit SAP Labs India, Bangalore during a family day function. It was nothing like I had experienced before. I sent out a silent prayer to the Universe hoping to come back and work at this place where the employees are the heroes. I spoke with a few people I knew who worked here, and I was convinced that this is the place to be. You know that it is a great place to work when the employees speak highly of it. One thing led to another and here I am, ten years into my dream company working in IT. I cannot be more grateful.

Have you ever been made to feel that women and IT don’t belong together?

No, I have never encountered such a generalization. In fact, women make great contributors since they can bring in a different perspective to complex problems. Women are naturally good at multi-tasking, have higher emotional intelligence, and can put their heart and soul into the successful completion of any activity.

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a woman thinking of starting a career in IT?

My one piece of advice to young women joining the IT industry is to build on your skills. Skills play a vital role in your future and relevance in this industry. ‘Invest in yourself and the future is bright’ is my advice to women employees.

How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?

When I joined SAP, I made a few friends, most of them women, and over the years, they have become my sounding board. I discovered that we all take great pride in each other’s success and are happy to lend a listening ear, or a shoulder to lean on during difficult times. It is very important for women to be there for each other. Be it emotional support, lifestyle ideas, or work life balance, women who have been there and done that are the best mentors.

Is there a woman who has inspired you?

My mother. In an era when most women were confined to their homes, caring for their families, and often deprived of essential education, I feel she was very bold to complete her education and take the decision to work. She is my role model as she imparted to me and my siblings the importance of being financially and socially independent. I hope to instill these qualities in my daughters too as they prepare to enter the workstream.

Jelena Wevelsiep-Djokic                  

Development Expert

SAP S/4HANA Finance & Risk

Walldorf

What motivated you to join the IT industry/SAP?

Well, to be honest, I was pretty much clueless about SAP. For me it was a jump into cold water and I have never regretted it. I had one conversation about the work at the company and it convinced me that it would be great place to work. The conversation I had was not about products, career opportunities, or market share, but it was about people, great people, who might be my colleagues. And I am happy to say that is the first and most important reason why I am still here 14 years later: I am honored to work with, and learn from, great people.

Have you faced any struggles from being a woman in a largely male industry?

No, never. Why? Maybe because I have never treated IT as a ‘male’ industry. Why do we have to label our industry as ‘male’ at all? The real question is whether there are struggles with a fast-changing and self-reinventing industry that has to stay at least two steps ahead of its time. Well, it is a struggle. But these are struggles that keep us alive and bring great ideas!

How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?

Any kind of support is welcome, in good and bad times. My son was recently in hospital for months and I experienced endless support and compassion from my colleagues. It meant a lot for me. I see it as a part of our great SAP culture.

What action or decision are you most proud of?

I hope there are many ?? After I came back from the year-long parental leave, I have decided to change teams. I was open about working part-time and that my two little kids might cause a few absences from work. I was open about how I would not be able to attend meetings after 3:30 p.m. and that I want to be a dezi (decentralized vocational trainer). All my terms were accepted, and I am still the part of the same team. In the meantime I also got promoted, despite working part-time.

Is there a woman who has inspired you?

Yes, my maternal grandmother ?? Despite lack of education (due to the WW2), very intelligent, shrewd, open minded. Despite many life challenges, she stayed positive and always looked forward. She taught me many life wisdoms that still apply over and over again.

Esther Li

Developer

SAP S/4HANA Digital Supply Chain

Shanghai, China

What motivated you to join the IT industry/SAP?

As human language helps us communicate in real life, programming language is what enables us to explore the fabulous technological world. I believe this interesting virtual world will benefit human beings and the global world in general. In the hope of contributing to this transition, I chose Software Engineering as my major at university and wanted to work as a developer later.

When I was about to graduate from university and start my career, I was attracted by a video of the famous American motorcycle manufacturer, Harley-Davidson, at a job fair. The video described how SAP helped them decrease their costs and increase efficiency. Since China is the world’s largest manufacturing powerhouse, I learned how SAP could help Chinese manufacturers go digital and empower the shop floor with tech power. Thus, I started my career focusing on Digital Manufacturing at SAP Labs China.

Have you ever been made to feel that women and IT don’t belong together?

Of all the attributes people are identified with, gender is among the most recognizable and most debatable. However, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, regardless of gender. It would be denying ourselves if we define a gender with limits rather than with capabilities and potentials.

Personally speaking, there are many extraordinary women colleagues around me. They work hard, take on challenges, and strive for perfection. They would drive themselves crazy to take the extra mile, just like many men do, and work wonders. So, I never doubted that women can do IT or any position that’s been traditionally male-dominated.

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a woman thinking of starting a career in IT?

Don’t limit yourself: You are greater than what you think you are.

What do you think is one of the biggest career challenges today facing women of your age?

It’s getting married and raising children. If you have children at the “right” age, you are taking a big risk of giving up on the most precious years in your career for family. Even if you ever make it to the height of your career life, it would typically take much more time than men.

Is there a woman who has inspired you?

Sheryl Sandberg: She broke the glass ceiling for women in large companies. More importantly, she is devoted to encouraging women to build up their leadership skills. She is a passionate advocate for women to be more aggressive in seeking success in business world. I would recommend every woman watch her TED talk in 2010 <Why we have too few women leaders>. There, she gave three meaningful suggestions to women who want to stay in the workforce: Sit at the table, make your partner a real partner, don't leave before you leave. The video changed my way of thinking. She is a role model and has inspired my interest in fighting for women's rights.

Jyotsna NR

Global Head of Non-ABAP Cloud Delivery

SAP S/4HANA Cross Product Delivery

Bengaluru, India

What motivated you to join the IT industry/SAP?

Born and brought up in Bengaluru, Silicon Valley of India, and with two elder siblings with degrees in IT… an education in IT and a job in IT was a natural choice for me. Though, I must mention my journey to SAP was not a straight one. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in 2002 when the whole IT industry was coming out of the Y2K downfall and IT jobs in Bengaluru were scare. The only available jobs, close to IT, were in Customer Support. With the intent of wanting to be as close to IT as possible, I started my career as a Customer Support Executive at America Online (AOL) and then moved as a Technical Support Engineer at Hewlett Packard. While working at AOL, I would pass across a building (under construction at that time), which somebody told me was owned by a huge German company. I always wondered and hoped if I would ever get a chance to work in this huge German company. As luck would have it, the huge German company was expanding its base in Bengaluru and I joined the SAP family in 2004.

Have you faced any struggles from being a woman in a largely male industry?

Yes, unfortunately multiple times. It has ranged from something as simple as not being heard in meetings, to not getting the career opportunity I always aspired and worked hard for. However, I am a firm believer of the saying that “every challenge should be treated as an opportunity”. This thought process, very supportive peers, along with having some amazing managers who lead by example and took the time to mentor & coach me has helped me work through the challenges and reach the career goals I have aspired to reach, so far.

What do you think is one of the biggest career challenges today facing women of your age?

Undoubtedly striking a balance between home & work responsibilities and having some “me-time”. No matter how evolved we are as a society, childcare and managing home affairs is predominantly a woman’s responsibility. Please note, I am not complaining about this. In fact, I think a woman’s role at home is crucial, especially since women are protectors and nurturers by design. What we should all strive towards is building a strong support system which enables a woman to balance her home and work responsibilities without guilt or repercussions.

What does the 2021 International Women’s Day slogan #ChooseToChallenge mean for you in your work life?

Coming from a fairly open-minded family, yet with the underlying framework of Indian Culture, the word “CHALLENGE” comes with a connotation of conflict, getting out of your comfort zone, and not the easiest to deal with. However, as mentioned earlier, I am a firm believer of “every challenge being an opportunity” and my experience of having to go through challenges has mostly been rewarding and positive. Therefore, this year I continue to #ChooseToChallenge myself to lead by example, be flexible, open, practical, and assertive.

How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?

Women uplifting other women is very important for me. Being in a country like India with vast demarcation on how men and women are treated, it is only with strong wilful women supporting other women in need that we can trigger a change towards building equality. For me uplifting women starts from the simplest of actions, such as enabling my help to be independent and support her financially to educate her children. At SAP, I am currently sponsoring a female talent who aspires to get into a management position by coaching her and helping her build a development plan which plays to her strengths and works through her shortcomings.