After 7 years, my SAP position was eliminated last year at a Pharmaceutical Company. I knew it was coming but it still managed to irritate me. I had been instrumental in setting up an almost 20 Million Dollar cost savings project. I had resurrected SAP value engineering to provide additional benefits for the President (but Finance did “not have time”)…etc. But if Finance decides to cut a position, it cuts no matter what.
Then a cascading chain of events happened. Key SAP people quit because they could no longer be promoted. Key SAP people burnt out because the work became totally overwhelming. Losing people that have years of business and IT experience is damaging no matter how you look at it.
I went back to consulting and it has been a good fit for me. A great fit in fact. I also began exercising between jobs (treadmill, elliptical running machine and weight training). Exercise has become a keystone habit in my life.
I started exercising because after speaking in Las Vegas last year, I walked the Las Vegas strip each night and each night I felt a bit better.
Now I exercise hard four times a week right after work. I have eliminated all my back pain, sleep better, reduced stress dramatically, eat healthier, wake up earlier and am much happier.
I’ve also had invitations to speak in San Francisco and Singapore.
Exercise is a keystone habit. It was a small win that created widespread changes in my life. And these small wins have made me believe. And believing is essential to making life changes.
The same thing applies to a company. One small positive habit can have a ripple effect through an organization. It can then spread across the entire company. People begin to believe.
I hope my former company finds a way to once again transform and make the people believe.
With belief you can move mountains.
Terry Vermeylen brings 30+ years of experience in SAP and Supply Chain Process improvement. As an SAP professional and Supply Chain Architect he has worked and consulted for some of the world’s largest and most successful manufacturing companies focusing primarily on the Aerospace and Pharmaceutical industries.
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