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One of the best ways to show what Life is like at SAP is to share our employee stories to provide insight into their experiences and what being successful means to us at SAP. I am Heather Walker, and I work on the Global Employer Branding team. Over the last few months I have had the opportunity to speak with 50 colleagues across our Europe, Middle East and Africa region to help share their stories. Here is an interview I did with Craig Hohls.
As a child Craig wanted to be a Rock-Star when he grew up – so how did he come to be an Account Executive at SAP Johannesburg?
When did you start working at SAP?
I started as a General Business Account Executive in 2015 and am now within the LE Financial Services team.
What qualifications did you need for your current job?
I believe that my dedication to SAP and hard work proved more important than any “qualification” requirements for my role now. Coming from General Business I had to “drink from the SAP firehose” and learn such a vast offering and capability that SAP offers. Not only was knowing our capabilities important, but building real relationships with all your colleagues is vital. One cannot be an island at SAP as teamwork is crucial to our success.
What are the key skills people need to be an Account Executive?
It is imperative to be able to build credible relationships with both customers and colleagues. Understanding SAP in terms of our solutions and roadmaps is vitally important. I need to be an advisor to my customers and coordinate our internal resources to ensure I supersede my customers’ expectations. Sales skills are without a doubt a non-negotiable. ABC – always be closing. I have the viewpoint that SAP pays my salary and my customer pays my commission. If my customer is unhappy and my manner of dealing with them is not satisfactory then I will not earn any commission.
What does your career at SAP mean to you?
Everything! I love working at SAP. We are excellent at problem solving and have a lot of fun doing so in the process.
What does success look like to you?
Ensuring my family is well taken care of; customers are happy and loyal; being a positive influence in the lives of others; being a senior member of SAP.
If you could go back in time and give your 18-year-old-self one piece of career advice what would it be?
Know that the best is yet to come; learn about the business you are in and become an expert at what you do. Stay focused.
To see more Life at SAP stories or learn about open jobs at SAP join #LifeatSAP social community channels on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, Weibo and WeChat or visit the career site
As a child Craig wanted to be a Rock-Star when he grew up – so how did he come to be an Account Executive at SAP Johannesburg?
When did you start working at SAP?
I started as a General Business Account Executive in 2015 and am now within the LE Financial Services team.
What qualifications did you need for your current job?
I believe that my dedication to SAP and hard work proved more important than any “qualification” requirements for my role now. Coming from General Business I had to “drink from the SAP firehose” and learn such a vast offering and capability that SAP offers. Not only was knowing our capabilities important, but building real relationships with all your colleagues is vital. One cannot be an island at SAP as teamwork is crucial to our success.
What are the key skills people need to be an Account Executive?
It is imperative to be able to build credible relationships with both customers and colleagues. Understanding SAP in terms of our solutions and roadmaps is vitally important. I need to be an advisor to my customers and coordinate our internal resources to ensure I supersede my customers’ expectations. Sales skills are without a doubt a non-negotiable. ABC – always be closing. I have the viewpoint that SAP pays my salary and my customer pays my commission. If my customer is unhappy and my manner of dealing with them is not satisfactory then I will not earn any commission.
What does your career at SAP mean to you?
Everything! I love working at SAP. We are excellent at problem solving and have a lot of fun doing so in the process.
What does success look like to you?
Ensuring my family is well taken care of; customers are happy and loyal; being a positive influence in the lives of others; being a senior member of SAP.
If you could go back in time and give your 18-year-old-self one piece of career advice what would it be?
Know that the best is yet to come; learn about the business you are in and become an expert at what you do. Stay focused.
To see more Life at SAP stories or learn about open jobs at SAP join #LifeatSAP social community channels on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, Weibo and WeChat or visit the career site
