Mastering ERP Projects Ring: How ERP Functional Consultants Can Learn from Martial Artists

In the world of ERP consulting, every project is a new battle, every challenge a new opponent. Like martial artists, ERP Functional Consultants must train, adapt, and master the art of problem-solving to come out on top.

Just as a Fighter Faces Opponents, ERP Consultants Confront Challenges Daily

As I advance in my career as a Consultant, I find immense satisfaction in coaching and supporting other consultants early in their journeys, helping them reach their full potential. As both a martial arts practitioner and enthusiast, I’d like to share insights on how applying key martial arts principles can elevate your growth and performance as an ERP Consultant.

In the same way UFC fighters, like Anderson Silva or Michel Pereira (both Brazilians like me), face different opponents with unique fighting styles, ERP Functional Consultants tackle diverse challenges, from system bugs and integration issues to complex requirements and tight deadlines. These aren’t merely tasks—they’re opponents that demand strategy, adaptability, and resilience.

But here’s where the analogy deepens: consultants, like fighters, don’t just enter the ring and win. They study, train, and refine their skills relentlessly. Here are five martial arts principles that can sharpen your approach as an ERP Functional Consultant and take your career to new heights:

1. Adaptability (Flow Like Water)

• Fighter’s Mindset: Fighters adjust their techniques to counter their opponents’ moves in real-time.
• Consultant’s Approach: In ERP consulting, you need to be adaptable. Business requirements change, system limitations appear, and project priorities shift. Flexibility is key to keeping projects moving and clients satisfied.

2. Emotional Control (Staying Calm Under Pressure)

• Fighter’s Mindset: Fighters know that losing composure can lead to mistakes.
• Consultant’s Approach: Consultants encounter high-stress situations and conflicts regularly. Learning to stay calm under pressure helps you navigate client demands and complex issues without losing focus.

3. Discipline (Repetition and Mastery)

• Fighter’s Mindset: Fighters achieve mastery through disciplined repetition, training techniques repeatedly with gym partners and teaching each other, all in preparation for the real competition.
• Consultant’s Approach: Mastery for a consultant is built through repetition. Whether configuring modules, managing integrations, or documenting workflows, every task you perform repeatedly strengthens your expertise. With the constant influx of new technologies, it’s easy to feel that reading about a tool or process equates to learning it. To truly build skills, practice independently and share what you’ve learned with peers. This approach allows for constructive feedback and challenges in a safe space before you’re put to the test with a client.

4. Observation and Timing (Reading the Opponent)

• Fighter’s Mindset: Fighters rely on timing to gain an advantage, studying their opponent’s movements and patterns to identify the perfect moment to strike.
• Consultant’s Approach: In the ERP world, timing and observation are equally essential. Study your client’s business patterns, understand their pain points, and recognize when to present solutions for maximum impact. Strong active listening skills are invaluable here—listen more than you speak. Gathering insights on your client’s processes and challenges allows you to propose solutions that truly align with their needs.

5. Visualization and Mental Preparation

• Fighter’s Mindset: Fighters often visualize their success, preparing mentally for each match.
• Consultant’s Approach: Before key meetings, visualize the outcomes you want to achieve. Mental preparation strengthens your confidence, helping you navigate challenging questions and unforeseen issues. Take time to prepare thoroughly, picturing a successful outcome and envisioning how you’ll reach it.

Become the Martial Artist of ERP Consulting

In the ring of ERP consulting, challenges are inevitable. But like a martial artist, you can approach each challenge with discipline, resilience, and strategic focus. With every project, every client, and every solution, you’re not just solving problems—you’re honing your craft. Embrace the principles of martial arts, and watch as they transform you into a more effective, resilient, and respected ERP consultant.

So, what techniques have helped you overcome your biggest challenges in consulting? Feel free to share your experiences and insights in the comments!