Change Management In Crisis Situations

In the world of SAP, two words often create confusion and risk when misunderstood — 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐨 “𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐒𝐀𝐏’𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐫,” 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭? But how they do it, and what they cost you in the long run — makes all the difference. Imagine SAP is like a rented apartment in a high-rise. 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 = 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 You're not happy with how your kitchen is laid out. So you break a wall and build a new one. Looks good? Maybe. But the next time the building owner renovates the apartment, your changes are gone — or worse, the whole structure breaks. That’s a modification — directly changing SAP’s standard code. And every upgrade becomes a headache. 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 = 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐆𝐚𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐬 Now imagine instead, you redesign your kitchen layout without breaking any walls — you add smart shelves, appliances, maybe a modular island. You're not touching the foundation. You're extending the functionality within the system’s allowed structure. That’s an enhancement. 𝐓𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐀𝐏 SAP offers safe and structured ways to adapt standard functionality: 1. User Exits – legacy extension points 2. Customer Exits – function module based enhancements 3. BAdIs (Business Add-Ins) – OOP-based, flexible enhancements 4. Enhancement Points/Sections – modern explicit enhancement options 5. Implicit Enhancements – system-defined enhancement hooks 6. Class/Sub-classing, Redefinition – OOP-level enhancements And now with ABAP Cloud / RAP, you also get: 1. Extension Points (clean core) 2. Custom Entities 3. Behavior Definitions with augmentation 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐒𝐀𝐏 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 1. Hard to track 2. Not retained in upgrades 3. High testing overhead 4. Blocks clean core strategy in S/4HANA and BTP integration ✅ 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞: If SAP gives you a keyhole to extend functionality — don’t break the door. Enhance where possible. Modify only when it’s the last resort — and even then, document, isolate, and justify it technically and functionally. **** Be a part of my SAP Community : https://lnkd.in/gspu3-Fd

What's the difference between an improvement and a pivot? And how do we know which we need to do? ✅ An improvement is when you make something you're already doing better, faster, cheaper, or more effective. You keep the same basic direction- you just optimize it. ✅ A pivot is when you change the direction- based on evidence that what you're doing won't get you the outcome you need. You're not just making the current path smoother, you're choosing a different path altogether. Granted, I talk about improvement a lot, but let's not forget the importance of pivoting. Pivoting the right way requires: 📌 Staying close to your customers 📌 Staying close to your team 📌 Acting based on evidence, not assumptions 📌 Moving swiftly but systematically Like Slack did. When Slack started out, it wasn’t trying to build the world’s best communication tool. It was actually a company called Tiny Speck, building an online game called Glitch. The game flopped but the internal messaging tool they built for their own team worked brilliantly. So, instead of folding, they pivoted fast. They repurposed what already worked, tested it with small groups, refined it based on feedback, and launched Slack, one of the most successful workplace tools in the world. And there's plenty out there that are relatively unknown, doing the same thing... I worked with a drinks manufacturer that created their own bottling plant instead of outsourcing the bottling. I also worked with a food supplier who added B2C to their B2B business. And a hotel who couldn't fill rooms, so rolled out "workcation packages" with dinner and spa treatments to attract more overnight business clients. There's a few lessons to learn from these pivot success stories... 1️⃣ Pivot based on facts- not fear or excitement. Pivot when the evidence tells you, and as soon as it tells you, not just because you feel like changing or because others are shouting louder. 2️⃣ Start small enough to be wrong without regret. Pivots are tiny experiments first. They’re not "bet the business" moves. They are low-cost, low-risk actions that teach you something quickly. 3️⃣ Stay close to reality, not the boardroom Many companies try to pivot by dreaming up something in a boardroom. The ones that get it right pivot by watching customers, talking to the frontline and learning what they need to do. 4️⃣ Use momentum as a resource, not a liability. An effective pivot builds off your current strengths- not by abandoning everything you’ve done, but by redirecting efforts. 5️⃣ Don't pivot alone-pivot with your people. Steer clear of sudden, secret decisions. It’s about involving teams early, gathering insights, and moving together. The best pivots are understood and supported at every level, not forced from the top. If you want to learn more about this, I suggest you read Eric Ries: "The Lean Startup" (It's not just for start-ups!) Any thoughts on how and when to pivot? Leave them below!

Most leaders fear crises, but crises unlock growth. My 5-step framework shows how. I’ve spent over 20 years guiding founders through tough times - turnarounds, pivots, and moments when the future felt uncertain. I've learnt that chaos is not the end. It’s often the start of something better, if you have a system you trust. A client story stands out. They faced economic challenges that threatened their business. By using my 5-step framework, they went from survival mode to a turnaround in 6 to 12 months. No magic, just discipline, hard work and a repeatable system. Here’s the framework that made the difference: 1. Assessment ⇀ Take a clear look at what’s really happening.  ⇀ What are the facts? Where are the issues?  ⇀ Be honest about strengths and blind spots. 2. Alignment ⇀ Make sure everyone is on the same page.  ⇀ Get buy-in from your team and partners.  ⇀ Set the vision and share it often. 3. Action ⇀ Move quickly on what matters most.  ⇀ Build a plan and break it into steps.  ⇀ Start with the hardest task first. 4. Acceleration ⇀ Once you see progress, increase the pace.  ⇀ Remove slow parts, double down on what works. ⇀ Keep the team focused. 5. Assurance ⇀ Check results, and adjust your plan.  ⇀ Celebrate wins and learn from setbacks.  ⇀ Support your team. Reflect on these steps for your next business pivot: ➞ What is your real starting point? ➞ Who needs to be aligned for success? ➞ What action can you take today? ➞ Where can you speed up? ➞ How will you get assurance? Growth often hides behind a crisis and the right framework could turn your fear into clarity and momentum. I know economic times are tough for many business owners, but please keep going. Your next breakthrough could be closer than you think.

Looking to pivot an industry?  You’re not alone. I started with a summer job in retail, then started my career in law, continued in hospitality management, pivoted to consulting and landed in healthcare. All while hopping two continents and four countries. Some facts: 🔄 𝟳𝟳% 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. 🔄 𝟱𝟳% 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝗦 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. 🔄 𝟳𝟴% 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝟰𝟬 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰.  The pandemic didn’t just shift routines. It shifted priorities, values, how we look at work. The impact is ongoing. If you’ve successfully pivoted before, you’ve already proven your ability to adapt, learn, and excel in new environments. Here’s how to approach it:  𝟭. 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀.   What have you mastered that transcends industries?   Leadership, communication, change mgt, problem-solving - these are gold everywhere.  𝟮. 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.   If you’ve pivoted before, showcase it. Success in new settings proves your adaptability and resilience.  𝟯. 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗽.   Learn about your target industry.   Volunteer, take courses, join webinars, find a mentor to sharpen your knowledge.  𝟰. 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆.   Align your CV, LinkedIn, and interview pitch to the industry you’re targeting.   Be clear about the value you bring - both for yourself and your audience.  𝟱. 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆.   Connect with professionals in your desired field.   Join groups, attend events, and start meaningful conversations.  𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴: Be crystal clear on your WHY. PS What`s the biggest pivot you`ve made?

Almost a year ago, I launched my startup’s MVP with high expectations. I thought I had an awesome solution to a pervasive problem—too many meetings. 🗓️ But the customer didn't flood in. Those who did sign up? Most weren’t active users. So, I refined the onboarding. Removed friction. Simplified everything. That had to be the issue, right? Nope. Maybe I wasn’t targeting the right customer segments? So, I worked on my Go-To-Market strategy. Refined my positioning. Reworked my messaging. Guess what? That didn’t do enough either. So, what do you do when adoption isn’t where you need it to be? I went back to first principles. Revisited my assumptions—those I thought I had validated and those I hadn’t. Here’s what surfaced: ✅ My target customer segment was too broad—making it harder to speak with relevance and resonate. ✅ My problem space - reducing meetings didn’t drive enough action —no matter how much people complain about meetings. ✅ People SAY they want fewer meetings, but most aren’t motivated enough to change their daily behaviour and challenge group norms. ✅ Getting an entire group to adopt a new way? Even harder. Group dynamics and organisational culture push back. So, when do you pivot? What I learned was this. If you're building a scalable, high-growth startup, start thinking about a pivot when: 1️⃣ You aren’t focused (initially) on winning a super-targeted customer segment with a clear job to be done. - If your audience is too broad, it’s hard to create messaging that resonates. - Narrow your focus to customers who urgently need your solution, are reachable, and are willing to pay. 2️⃣ The problem isn’t urgent or motivating enough for customers to change behaviour. - People complain about problems all the time, but that doesn’t mean they’ll take action. - If your customers aren’t hacking together their own workarounds, or if your solution isn’t 10x faster/easier or saving them a LOT of money, reconsider your customer-problem-solution fit. 3️⃣ Strong forces are working against adoption. - Group dynamics, organisational culture, distributed authority, or regulatory requirements can create serious friction. - If you’re facing headwinds, explore alternative customer segments or product approaches. 4️⃣ Customers aren’t willing (or able) to pay for a solution upfront. - Even the best ideas stall without revenue. If your model depends on a different monetization route (e.g., two-sided markets), make sure credible payers exist. 5️⃣ You don’t have a sustainable competitive advantage. - If competitors can easily replicate your solution for your target segment, scaling becomes a race to the bottom. - Find your unique, hard-to-copy advantage—or explore an alternative customer-problem-solution set that offers one. I’m still deep in the journey, but these lessons have reshaped how I think about building products. Would love to hear from other founders and innovators —when did you know it was time to pivot? #startup #pivot

Ever feel like you’ve taken the wrong bus in your career? Sometimes, we find ourselves sitting there, wondering if it’s even worth it to get off. Or if we should just keep journeying on, hoping it leads to somewhere better. This, as I coach professionals, is one of the most common challenges: "Coach, I think I may have taken the wrong bus." This is a phrase I hear every day. I hope this is the year you finally decide to get off that bus. Maybe you’ll buy a ticket back, or maybe you’ll choose a totally new direction. That’s what we call pivoting. This is a term we hear so often, but it’s so much more when unpacked. Pivoting is recognizing when something no longer serves you and having the courage to change course. And it starts with one powerful step: unpacking your transferable skills. What are transferable skills? They’re the abilities and experiences you’ve gained in one role that can be applied in another. Think communication, problem-solving, leadership, or even technical know-how. These skills are your bridge to that new opportunity Here’s how to begin: ✔️ Unpack what you’ve got: Reflect on your career so far. What skills have you mastered that can help you in a new role or industry? ✔️ Leverage what works: Align those skills with your next step. They’re your proof that you can add value anywhere. ✔️ Fill the gaps: If there’s something missing, that’s okay! Upskill through courses, mentorship, or hands-on learning to close the gap. My message to you: You don’t have to stay on a path that doesn’t make you happy. It’s never too late to get off the bus, pivot, and head in a direction that excites you. You have what it takes to make the change. You just need to take that first step. #CareerPivot #TransferableSkills #CareerChange #ProfessionalGrowth #SkillsThatMatter

The Strategic Flaw Undermining Career Transitions   Throughout my career guiding professionals through industry and functional transitions, I've identified a consistent pattern among those who struggle to pivot successfully: they position themselves as inexperienced candidates in the new domain rather than as valuable cross-pollinating experts.   This fundamental positioning error creates unnecessary obstacles in an already challenging process.   Successful career pivoters employ a distinctly different approach: • Value Reframing: Positioning their outside perspective as an asset that brings fresh thinking to entrenched industry challenges • Problem-Solution Alignment: Identifying specific issues in the target field that their unique background equips them to address differently • Strategic Narrative Construction: Developing a compelling story that connects their existing expertise to the future needs of the target industry • Selective Credential Building: Acquiring specific knowledge markers that demonstrate commitment while leveraging existing transferable skills   The most effective career transitions aren't accomplished by minimizing differences or attempting to compete directly with industry insiders on their terms.   Rather, they succeed by deliberately highlighting how cross-industry perspective creates unique value in solving the target industry's evolving challenges.   For professionals considering a pivot, the critical shift isn't in acquiring years of new experience, but in reframing existing experience to demonstrate its relevance and value in the new context.   What unexpected industries have you seen professionals successfully transition between by leveraging seemingly unrelated backgrounds?   Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju   #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #careertransition #crosspollination #industryshift #careerstrategist

One of the most overlooked ways to break into data is by pivoting within your current company. Last month, my client successfully made this transition—from a grocery store manager to a Data Analyst. Are they exactly where they want to be as a data scientist? Not yet. But they’re a whole lot closer. And that’s okay—breaking into data often requires humility. You might not land your dream role right away, but every step forward gets you closer. Being humble and recognizing the value of incremental progress is key to long-term success. But why is this approach so effective? Because pivoting within your company is a win-win: - Trust: Your current company already trusts you. - Cost Efficiency: Hiring and training new employees is costly for the company, and job searching is costly for you. - Simplicity: No need to send 100s of applications, tweak your resume endlessly, or struggle through interviews. Leverage the relationships you already have. So, how can you make this pivot effectively? Here are 7 action steps to help you pivot within your company: 1) Ignore the Job Title, Focus on Skills Identify the skills and key responsibilities of the role you want. These can be leveraged later if you choose to switch companies. 2) Ask Your Manager to Build a Plan Propose a plan that shows how your new role will help the company grow. Suggest dedicating a fraction of your hours to learning and building those skills. 3) Automate and Innovate Look for ways to automate your current job or optimize processes. This can demonstrate your value in a data role. 4) Internal Networking Talk to other departments, explore internal positions, and make connections. Sometimes, a simple conversation can open doors to new opportunities. 5) Volunteer and Take Initiative Offer to take on data-related tasks or projects, even if they’re outside your current role. It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. 6) Review and Analyze Current Data Use the data available in your current role to drive improvements. This shows initiative and builds your data skills. Every company uses data, so find it. 7) Look for Internal Positions Regularly check for internal openings that align with your goals. Applying within your company can often be a faster route to a new role. Remember: The Easiest Change is Optimizing Your Current Situation Before you start looking externally, consider how you can leverage your current position to move closer to your dream data role. It might be simpler than you think. Have you successfully pivoted within your company or are you planning to? Let’s discuss your experience and ideas in the comments! --------- ➕ Follow Jaret André for more actionable tips on breaking into data and accelerating your career. ♻ Repost this if you found it helpful.

Thinking of switching industries? Don’t start with job portals. Start with your heart. The other day, one of my students said something that really stayed with me: “I don’t hate my job… but I just can’t imagine doing this for the next 10 years.” I asked her: “What are your top 3 non-negotiables?” She looked surprised and said, “No one’s ever asked me that before.” That’s the real problem, right? We jump from one role to another… Change companies, sometimes even industries… hoping this time it’ll finally feel right. But most people skip the one thing that actually makes the biggest difference: 👉 Getting clear on what truly matters to you now. In my sessions, I take every student through 12 simple but powerful questions that help them figure out what they absolutely won’t compromise on anymore. Here are just 3 to get you started: > Do you want more freedom over your time and decisions? > Do you crave intellectual challenge and real growth? > Do you want to feel a deep sense of belonging at work? Once you have your top 3, here’s what I suggest: 1. Map roles and industries that actually honor those 3. Not every sector is the right fit for you. And that’s okay. You’ve got to know why you want to work somewhere— What excites you? What energizes you? Where does your energy belong, not just your experience? 2. Match those roles with your strengths. This part is so overlooked. Because not every role deserves your brilliance. The right one won’t just use your skills. It will elevate your identity. 3. And finally—consider how AI is reshaping those roles. This is where most people completely miss the mark. A role that looks exciting today might not even exist 5 years from now. And if you’re not paying attention to how AI is shifting your industry… you might end up building your dream career on a crumbling foundation. A smart pivot isn’t about reacting fast. It’s about choosing right. With clarity. Alignment. And a little future readiness. Let me know in the comments which step resonated most with you.

It’s 1am and my brain is vibrating at a very high frequency. The next few months are critical for businesses. We’re witnessing global wars, mass layoffs, and a post-AI world where rules are evolving very fast. Everything is shifting ... economies, industries, even identities. Sentiments are unpredictable. And evolution... it’s happening faster than we were ever warned. In moments like this, survival in business comes down to three things: 1. How resilient you are 2. How adaptable your business is 3. And then... pure, blind luck I’ve spent 14 years building through storms. Markets crashed. Partners walked away. Plans fell apart. Teams broke. But here we are ... still building, still dreaming, still growing. Every time we went through something major, I took notes. And today, I want to share the guide I wish I had during my hardest days, in the hope it helps someone out there who needs it now: 1. Embrace change and uncertainty It’s coming, whether you like it or not. Revenues will dip. People will disappoint. Strategies will collapse. Don’t fight the pain — walk with it. Let it sharpen your senses. It always has something to teach you. 2. Cut fast, but with empathy Speed saves lives in a crisis, but souls matter. When you make hard decisions — layoffs, pivots, shutdowns — do it with clarity, not cruelty. People may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel. 3. Stay uncomfortably close to your customer Your customers are evolving in real time. If you are not listening daily, you are falling behind. Talk to them. Watch them. Let their reality shape your decisions. 4. Don’t worship your past victories What worked last year might bury you this year. Ego is expensive in uncertain markets. Stay humble. Stay hungry. Let go of what no longer serves the future. 5. Focus on energy, not just strategy Your team mirrors your emotional state. If you panic, they will crumble. If you go numb, they will disengage. Be honest, be present, but above all, be steady. Energy is the invisible strategy that holds it all together. 6. Build faith in something bigger When numbers stop making sense and logic hits a wall, you need something deeper ... a belief, a cause, a reason to keep going. Call it purpose. Call it God. Call it madness. Just don’t run on empty. I don’t know how the next few months will unfold. No one does. But I do know this — the ones who feel deeply, move boldly, and love fiercely through the storm are the ones who build companies that outlive the chaos. My company stands more stable than ever today, but I haven’t forgotten the nights I sat up, just like this. So if you are awake at 1am too ... anxious, tired, and unsure — know this: we have lived through darkness to see the light, and you will too. Good days are around the corner. Let’s survive this. Let’s grow through this. Let’s make it mean something!