Dara: A typical day of a Solution Consultant very much depends on the project phase we are currently in

When and why did you join BE-terna as a Solution Consultant, what initially drew you in?

I had the opportunity to witness the work of a Solution Consultant from the “other side” – from the client’s perspective view that is – as I was a student employee at a company where BE-terna was carrying out an implementation project at the time. I was immediately drawn to the versatility of the job and the energy of the team members. Working directly with the team and the product as part of user support at the time, I found myself wondering how I would approach an issue or present a certain functionality if I had been on the other side. One thing led to another, and by the end of the project in the summer of 2015 I joined the BE-terna ERP team.

What is the job of Solution Consultant like at BE-terna? What is a typical day like for you?

A typical day of a Solution Consultant very much depends on the project phase we are currently in. As I work in the implementation team, I can find myself engaged in all the project phases: in the pre-sales stage, consultants can be included to present the product and describe the features; when the analysis phase starts, we study the client’s processes and their day to day operations, trying to understand the core of their business, what the pressing issues are that they wish to solve with the new ERP, the challenges they are facing, and identify the opportunities for optimisation of practices and processes. After that we form a list of requirements and try to translate their operations into the product’s language, producing a proposal on how to execute their processes within the new ERP and, where necessary, designing enhancements to the standard solution to fit the client’s needs. The implementation phase has various activities ranging from workshops, user training, and process alignment meetings, to presentations of customised functionalities, data migration, training support and others, all of which usually take place at the client’s premises. As a rule, the period before the go-live is the most intense phase of the project. When the client is successfully in production, Solution Consultants offer support in conducting everyday business operations within the new ERP for a limited period of time, then slowly transition to another project, handing the client and the accumulated knowledge over to the support team.

What are the pros and cons of being a Solution Consultant?

One thing I have learnt in the five years I’ve been in the job, which could be considered both an advantage as well as a disadvantage, depending on the type of person you are, is that change is constant. This job offers a lot of opportunities to grow, to expand your knowledge, to learn new skills, technologies, and tools. At the same time, the continual updates in the industry and of the technology and the software we are working with, can bring increased pressure and additional workloads to stay on track and adapt to changes. One thing I would definitely place under pros is working with people – be it the clients or other team members, meeting new people, collaborating with people, and learning from people. Being an Solution Consultant means you get to know a lot of different companies – domestic and international - their processes, and the way they do business, which is an advantage in itself. The job is hardly ever boring, so for all of us who enjoy a faster pace of life, the challenges and the everchanging environment come as pros. On the other hand, endless deadlines, long hours, and working under pressure can be very stressful, which is definitely a major disadvantage of this job.

What does it take to be a Solution Consultant?

The way I see it, a Solution Consultant needs to be proactive, curious, resourceful, with a critical mind and a desire to improve. They ought to be able to work well under pressure, and have to have that drive and determination to push forwards. The ability to work with people, be kind, and function well in a team is a must.

Who would you recommend BE-terna as an employer to?

BE-terna is a great place for anyone who enjoys working with people, believes in team spirit, is eager to learn and develop, is hard-working and open-minded, appreciates a relaxed and friendly company culture, and would love to work in a well-established IT company in a modern and dynamic international environment. It certainly helps if you have any knowledge of business processes or experience of company operations, but these can all be learned if only you are curious and determined to improve.

If you could choose 3 adjectives to describe BE-terna's culture, what would they be?

• Relaxed and productive – we certainly know how to work hard but at the same time be casual and cultivate relaxed work relations.
• Collaborative – we work well with one another, within and between departments, you can always rely on your co-workers to offer expert advice or you can be the one lending a helping hand.
• Welcoming – it is a very friendly environment with a positive atmosphere, where you instantly feel comfortable and accepted.

When I was a kid, I wanted to be...

A lot of things, ranging from a doctor at a very early age, then a lawyer, a detective, even a firefighter, to a teacher somewhere in my teenage years, but no matter what I envisioned myself to be doing, what was common to all of them was the element of working with people. As an adult , I might not teach in a classical way, or tend to people’s health or legal matters, but I do get to work with people every day which is as amazing and rewarding as I imagined it to be.

Every person is a story

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