Meet Narayan Mahajan: a self-motivated and highly adaptable Sr. Manager with an impressive 18-year track record in leading diverse teams across industries, including aviation, agrochemical, chemical, distribution, engineering, food, mechanical, pharma, seeds and oil & natural gas, showcasing impressive industry-specific experience. As a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in various SAP modules, his versatility and depth of knowledge have earned him multiple awards and recognitions, spanning from IBM’s prestigious Manager’s Choice Award to being a top contributor in IBM Knowledge Sharing.
But Narayan’s story doesn’t end there. He has made a significant impact on leading small- to large-scale SAP complex projects and business transformation, all while proactively engaging with stakeholder teams to drive awareness, planning, and maximizing efficiencies. With a diverse range of skills, including SAP SD, LE, MM, EDI, IM, CS, PP, Warranty, and VMS, he has successfully navigated projects across 15+ countries, in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America.
In this feature, we will delve into the unique experience that has shaped Narayan Mahajan into a force to be reckoned with, from winning awards and recognitions to providing thought leadership on the forefront of SAP technology. So, buckle up for an insightful journey that showcases not just adaptability, but the essence of industry-specific ingenuity.
Delivering successful SAP projects in diverse industries
With over 18 years of experience in SAP consulting, Narayan Mahajan has managed and executed numerous projects across a wide range of industries. His successful endeavors in these industries are a testament to a deep understanding of industry-specific requirements which enables Narayan to deliver efficient and cost-effective solutions to clients.
In a quote from one of his clients, they said, “Mr. Narayan Mahajan is a unique combination of technical and management degrees and technical and management experience. His diverse industry experience in managing the project in both management and technical perspectives are helpful in better understanding the problems and quickly coming up with the solutions.”
Narayan has garnered recognition for his work in the form of awards and accolades such as the IBM “Manager’s Choice Award,” IBM Spirit Award, IBM GBS Service Excellence Awards, and multiple recognitions from clients. These accomplishments echo the level of expertise and professionalism he brings to each industry he works with.
Narayan’s experience in diverse industries has also contributed to a well-rounded understanding of project management, including the ability to handle interdependent tasks effectively. As Narayan expresses, “…diverse and inclusive work culture promotes better coordination… When diversity and inclusion are practiced at a firm, as a lead, I can collaborate with teams better.”
As an expert in various SAP modules, Narayan takes on the role of a thought leader in leveraging applications and SAP to solve business and IT problems, be it process automation, improving efficiencies, or reducing costs. This enables him to deliver better results for his clients and contribute to their long-term success.
Moreover, Narayan’s broad industry exposure allows him to better integrate technology and innovation into his clients’ operations, while also increasing return on investment (ROI) and resolving internal conflicts. He emphasizes, “A better understanding of industries process, flow, legal requirements, localization, good knowledge of different cultures, beliefs, and working methods are helpful in better delivering IT programs and projects.”
The art of managing small to medium-scale projects with the onsite-offshore model
In today’s competitive marketplace, companies need the ability to quickly adapt and respond to changing industry trends and requirements. Narayan Mahajan has mastered the art of managing small- to large-scale SAP projects and critical and complex business transformation programs using the onsite-offshore model.
“I specialize in SAP technology and have managed an array of SAP projects and programs, along with various business transformation initiatives. My expertise lies in SAP technologies such as SD, LE, CS, EDI, MM, and GTS, and I am adept at implementing different SAP methodologies as well as both waterfall and agile methods.
In addition to my technical skills, I have extensive experience in overseeing projects of varying complexities. My adaptive skills are particularly noteworthy: I understand ERP products thoroughly, including their features and functionality, which enables me to adapt these products to align with my clients’ specific needs.
Moreover, I possess a deep understanding of business processes and the distinct requirements of various industries and clients. My problem-solving capabilities and analytical skills, complemented by my project and change management expertise, allow me to navigate complex projects effectively.
As a leader, I excel in managing teams and collaborating across different teams, bolstered by my strong communication skills and creative problem-solving abilities. My ability to interact effectively with business users and provide comprehensive training ensures smooth project implementation.
Lastly, my keen decision-making skills guide me in devising effective design solutions, thereby steering teams towards successful project completion,” says Narayan.
His expertise in managing projects with the onsite-offshore model not only showcases his adaptability, but also his ability to handle multiple responsibilities and teams. This model requires collaboration between the local team at the client site and the remote team at an offshore location, often in different time zones. Such an approach demands strong communication skills, efficient decision-making, and a deep understanding of the project requirements.
What makes Narayan a subject matter expert in various SAP modules
Narayan Mahajan’s extensive industry experience has exposed him to a wide range of SAP modules and their application in diverse contexts. With 18 years of SAP functional, managerial, and leadership experience, Narayan enjoys a unique understanding of sales, service, logistics, compliance, procurement, EDI, trade, exports, and data management within the SAP ecosystem.
Having worked in multiple industries, Narayan is well-versed in anticipating and addressing the sector-specific needs of each project he leads. With exposure to over 15 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and South America, there is no doubt that Narayan is a Subject Matter Expert when it comes to SAP modules.
One of the factors that set Narayan apart as an expert is his ability to work with offshore teams effectively. As he recognizes, “Working with offshore teams is a common practice in the IT industry. ERP/SAP projects, web and mobile developments, hardware and networking, IT product development and enhancement, and many other areas are among the most common tasks that are outsourced to offshore development teams.” Leveraging the advantages of outsourcing, such as improved resource utilization and cost efficiency, Narayan works effortlessly with offshore teams to deliver results aligned with his clients’ objectives.
Narayan’s proactive and continuous engagement with stakeholders, coupled with his ability to think strategically and solve problems through leveraging SAP platforms, positions him as a sought-after Subject Matter Expert. Additionally, his interpersonal skills enable him to work well with a diverse group of executives, managers, subject matter experts, and end-users across the globe.
Skillset and expertise in handling critical environments and program objectives
Narayan Mahajan, with his diverse industry experience, has emerged as a skilled practitioner of various SAP modules who has the capability to manage complex and multiyear projects across multiple countries. These projects involve significant investments, man-hours, and compliance with various local rules and government regulations. Narayan possesses a unique skillset as a leader, Subject Matter Expert (SME), Architect, Scrum Master, and Project Manager and emphasizes the importance of good listening and teamwork. With over 18 years of experience under his belt, he is well-equipped to handle challenges thrown at him in critical environments.
As quoted by Narayan, “Thought leadership is the delivery of authentic and genuine content that uses the expertise, insight, and experience of the author, with the goal of sharing that wisdom with others. Thought leadership is all about you creating value, building knowledge, and taking a stand.” Narayan’s approach to thought leadership includes predicting future industry trends, influencing the direction of study, providing insights based on his experience, and sharing that knowledge with others.
Narayan believes in leveraging his thought leadership to achieve success in IT programs and SAP projects. To do so, he ensures that he remains an expert in the SAP field by staying updated on the latest developments, articulating his thoughts clearly and concisely, and sharing his knowledge in engaging and informative ways through various channels, such as writing articles, conducting training sessions, and participating in meetings.
Narayan also emphasizes the importance of building a platform to reach a wider audience. This can be achieved through contributing to online global training and sharing knowledge via accessible online portals. As Narayan states, “… it is necessary to build a platform that allows me to reach a wide audience.”
Narayan also works as a TDA (Technical and Delivery Analysis) reviewer, where he evaluates the new projects from technical and delivery perspective. When the team presents new projects for his approval, he makes sure the team allocates the right resources, finds correct delivery timelines, generates a good plan for transition, and ensures that the project is earning the right profit. Many times, he suggests on resource plans, deliverables, and on-site-offshore combination and provides his feedback in many areas for improvements before approving the projects and presenting it to the clients. This is very critical role as the resource plan, deliverable timelines, good coordination with clients, and profitability depends on this.
The importance of proactive engagement with stakeholder teams
With today’s business environment, a project manager’s ability to foster collaboration and maintain open lines of communication with stakeholders is crucial. Narayan Mahajan understands the importance of proactive engagement with stakeholder teams in driving success. His ability to remain closely involved with clients throughout projects helps him deliver innovative solutions, meeting the unique needs of each business.
Narayan’s clients provide examples of how his proactive engagement has led to significant cost and time savings. One client stated, “Narayan’s excellent technical and functional skills, along with leadership and extraordinary talent, helped us to complete critical projects on time. The world-class repair project had very complicated requirements involving 50 steps, with each step having specific successive and proceeding business procedures based on the data and operation performed by the customer rep. Narayan’s proactive involvement in automating the process helped in saving the cost and time.”
Another instance highlights Narayan’s adaptability in implementing EDI-SPEC2000 for an Aviation client. “The process needs to follow per the standard set by ATA (Air Transport Association). Along with the standard procedure and a lot of client’s custom requirements, the process becomes complicated. Narayan worked hard with different SAP teams & business and developed a new business flow and an IT cock-pit, which automatically made sure the procedures and requirements are followed, saving time and efforts and increasing productivity.”
A similar example of proactive engagement can be seen when Narayan addressed a client’s customers facing issues with online order placement. “Narayan developed an interface that checks the availability within the client’s plant and vendor’s inventory, calculates the price, discount, and other charges based on their location, and displays all this information within a few seconds. This new interface development saved a lot of time and reduced man-hours.”
These examples demonstrate Narayan’s commitment to working closely with stakeholder teams, driving process automation, and solving complex business problems. His effective communication and proactive engagement set him apart in the ever-evolving world of business transformation, solidifying his place as an industry leader.
Awards and recognitions: a testament to Narayan’s managerial success
Throughout his extensive career, Narayan Mahajan has garnered numerous awards and accolades for his unparalleled commitment to excellence across various industries. These include, but are not limited to, multiple IBM “Manager’s Choice Awards,” IBM Spirit Awards, and IBM GBS Service Excellence Awards. Additionally, he has received recognition from clients, management, and even within his community.
Such achievements did not come easily, as Narayan tackled complex projects and navigated the challenges associated with diverse industries such as aviation and pharmaceutical. Regarding this, Narayan highlights, “Each industry has its own challenges, procedures, legal requirements, and client-specific needs. Aviation and pharmaceutical industries are more challenging due to complex procedures, higher impact, most legal requirements, and rules… We can’t afford to make any mistake in medicine manufacturing or selling, a similar way for aviation; we can’t afford to procure/fit in the wrong part or sell a part.”
Narayan’s ability to overcome these obstacles and succeed in such demanding sectors can be attributed to his experience, expertise, and a common set of principles that have guided him every step of the way. These include setting clear goals and objectives, managing project scope effectively, proficient budgeting and planning, and fostering excellent communication and conflict management abilities. Moreover, Narayan emphasizes the importance of his deep understanding of industry procedures, methodologies, processes, and legal requirements.
Narayan’s contributions to IBM Knowledge Sharing and other publications
As an accomplished professional, Narayan Mahajan extends his impact beyond his immediate projects by contributing to IBM Knowledge Sharing and various publications. Recognized for his dedication to sharing knowledge, Narayan ranks among the top 2% of contributors in IBM Knowledge Sharing, actively participating and driving sessions, and providing valuable insights for his colleagues and the broader community.
Apart from his direct involvement in IBM Knowledge Sharing, Narayan has authored numerous publications delving into various aspects of SAP and IT management. These publications range from functional and technical guides for users to thought leadership pieces that share his expertise and vast experience across different industries. The breadth and depth of his contributions reflect his passion for continuous learning and development, as well as his commitment to support others in their journey through the world of SAP and IT management.
Narayan’s contributions to IBM Knowledge Sharing stems from a deep-rooted belief in collaborative leadership, which he expresses in the following quote: “Collaboration is important for driving up employee engagement and productivity within and across teams. Additionally, collaboration in leadership has a powerful trickle-down effect throughout organizations, positively impacting employees’ well-being and the company’s success.” Narayan’s collaborative approach to leadership not only focuses on building strong teams but also fosters an environment where everyone is encouraged to openly communicate and collaborate on a common vision.
Moreover, Narayan highlights the significance of collaborative leadership for driving successful projects, business transformation, and IT programs, as he remarks, “In short, collaboration with IT and business leadership is essential in the success of any projects, business transformation, and IT programs.” By fostering a culture of open communication and shared learning, Narayan’s leadership exemplifies how collaboration among IT and business leaders can lead to increased productivity, better-quality work, and ultimately, organizational success.
Adapting and implementing effective solutions across the globe
A dedicated believer in the power of upskilling and expanding knowledge, Narayan shares his insight on the benefits of working across various industries, stating, “I advise them to become an expert in various industries. This will improve your upskills, knowledge, career growth, and promising opportunities. The people around you will respect you for your understanding of various industries and for implementing best practices and processes from one industry to others; those will help in increased productivity, smooth business, higher customer satisfaction, reduced cost, and maximized growth. If someone is getting the opportunity to work in various industries, indeed, they should pursue it for a better career.”
Narayan’s ability to grasp the intricacies of each sector and find solutions that are tailor-made for every situation has led him to be recognized and awarded multiple times throughout his career. His dedication to continuous learning and sharing that knowledge with others, through publications, knowledge sessions, and community contributions, adds great value to the diverse companies he works with.
In handling complex projects and effectively collaborating with a varied group of stakeholders, Narayan has proven his skill as an exceptional leader. Utilizing his extensive expertise in SAP modules, he optimizes processes in multiple industries and inspires trust in those who work with him.
Ultimately, Narayan Mahajan exemplifies the qualities of a professional who can truly adapt and implement solutions across the globe. By combining his direct experience from countless industries and a keen understanding of today’s business environment, he empowers organizations to grow, evolve, and thrive in a constantly changing world.
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.