SAP Business Planning and Consolidation (BPC) is a crucial Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) tool that enables organizations to efficiently manage their financial and operational planning, consolidation and reporting processes. In this specialized field, the balance between technical expertise and empathetic problem-solving is essential for effective consulting, ensuring that solutions are both technically sound and closely aligned with the client’s unique needs and challenges.

George Kordosis, the Founder / Director SAP BPC Consultant | Group Reporting | BW | SAC | FICO | Solution Architect at SapbpcAnalytics G.P., embodies this balanced approach in his consulting practice. He combines his deep technical knowledge with a nuanced understanding of client dynamics to deliver outcomes that provide real value.

George’s journey began with a strong focus on mastering the technical aspects of SAP BPC. He invested significant time in understanding the platform’s complexities, including configuring planning models and automating financial consolidation. His technical expertise enables him to address challenges like data integration, system optimization and reporting enhancements with confidence.

By staying current with industry best practices, George ensures his solutions are reliable, scalable and tailored to each client’s needs. Recognizing that technical expertise alone isn’t enough, he also prioritizes empathetic listening to uncover and address deeper client concerns, ensuring his solutions resonate with their unique challenges.

Technology Impact on Business Efficiency

When George first encountered enterprise software, he felt a deep sense of curiosity and excitement about how technology could transform business processes. His journey to becoming an SAP BPC consultant was driven by a passion for technology and a desire to solve complex business problems.

Over the years, this journey has profoundly shaped his consulting approach into a client-centered, holistic practice that balances technical expertise with strategic insight.

Early Inspiration

George’s inspiration to become an SAP BPC consultant began with his fascination with the role of technology in business. His early career in financial planning and analysis exposed him to the critical importance of accurate data and efficient processes. Observing the inefficiencies caused by disjointed systems and manual processes, he saw an opportunity to improve them through technology.

His first encounter with SAP BPC during a financial planning project revealed its power to streamline complex processes, integrate data and provide real-time insights. This experience inspired him to specialize in SAP BPC, where he could make a tangible impact on businesses by optimizing their financial processes.

Shaping a Consulting Approach

George’s journey taught him that effective consulting requires more than technical expertise. It demands a deep understanding of business processes, effective communication and adaptability. His consulting approach is built on several key principles:

• Client-centered Focus: George begins every project by understanding the client’s business, goals and challenges, ensuring tailored solutions that provide real value.
• Strategic Alignment: He ensures that SAP BPC solutions support the client’s long-term strategic objectives.
• Holistic Problem-solving: George considers the technical requirements, business context, user experience and organizational impacts for comprehensive solutions.
• Empathy and Communication: Prioritizing strong relationships, he ensures that client voices are heard, leading to user-friendly solutions with higher adoption rates.
• Continuous Learning: George remains committed to staying up to date with trends and best practices to provide innovative solutions.

Through this balanced approach, he delivers effective solutions and builds lasting partnerships, helping clients achieve their business goals and navigate today’s complex business environment.

The Importance of Communication in Consulting

George outlined the essential qualities required for success in business consulting. According to George, effective consulting demands a blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, communication skills, adaptability, and ethical integrity. These attributes are integral to delivering valuable and impactful solutions.

Technical expertise is a cornerstone of consulting, especially in specialized fields like SAP BPC. He emphasized the need for consultants to master the complexities of the software, including:

• Configuring planning models
• Automating financial processes

By keeping abreast of the latest advancements, attending workshops and testing new features, consultants ensure their solutions remain current, scalable and tailored to client needs.

Strategic thinking is equally crucial. George noted that consultants must grasp the broader business context and align their solutions with clients’ long-term goals. This involves:

• Analyzing business objectives
• Understanding industry trends
• Evaluating competitive landscapes

Such an approach ensures that solutions drive growth and enhance efficiency.

Communication skills are essential for translating complex ideas into clear, actionable insights. George highlighted the importance of:

• Setting clear expectations
• Providing regular updates
• Tailoring communication for different audiences

This helps in building trust and ensuring stakeholder buy-in.

Adaptability is necessary to tackle evolving business challenges. Consultants should be open to new ideas, continuously learn and adjust strategies as needed.

Ethical integrity builds trust, requiring consultants to be honest, transparent and respectful of client confidentiality.

Problem-solving ability combines analytical thinking, creativity and persistence. George underscores the importance of thoroughly analyzing problems, exploring various solutions and selecting the most effective options to meet client needs.

Enhancing Team Dynamics through Active Listening

Building and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships is central to George’s approach as an SAP BPC Consultant. George emphasizes that trust, clear communication, active listening and mutual respect are essential for successful consulting.

• Establishing Trust: George begins by building trust with both clients and team members. He ensures transparency about his intentions and capabilities, discussing potential challenges openly and setting realistic expectations. For clients, he engages in detailed discussions to understand their business objectives and concerns. With team members, he shares his experiences to foster openness and mutual trust.
• Clear Communication: Once trust is established, George prioritizes clear and consistent communication. He keeps clients informed with regular updates and translates complex technical concepts into understandable language. For team members, he uses collaboration tools and regular check-ins to ensure that everyone stays aligned and feels included.
• Active Listening: George values active listening to understand clients’ true needs and team members’ perspectives. By asking clarifying questions and reflecting on their input, he tailors solutions more effectively and fosters a sense of inclusivity within the team.
• Mutual Respect: George cultivates mutual respect by valuing the expertise and contributions of both clients and team members. He approaches disagreements with a problem-solving mindset and ensures that everyone’s voice is heard, thereby encouraging a collaborative and supportive environment.

Creating a Supportive Environment in Consulting Teams

George relies on several key strategies to manage pressure while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

• Organization and Time Management: George emphasizes meticulous planning, using project management tools and digital calendars to prioritize tasks effectively. By breaking projects into smaller tasks and scheduling focused work sessions, he prevents overwhelm and enhances productivity.
• Setting Clear Boundaries: To separate work from personal life, George establishes defined working hours and communicates these to clients and colleagues. He disconnects from work outside these hours, making exceptions only for urgent matters. This approach protects personal time and boosts productivity during work hours.
• Mindfulness and Stress Management: George integrates mindfulness practices like meditation and deep breathing into his routine to manage stress. Physical activities such as yoga and running further support his mental well-being, helping him stay calm and focused under pressure.
• Delegation and Collaboration: Understanding the importance of teamwork, George delegated tasks and collaborated with colleagues. This not only lightens his workload but also empowers his team and fosters a collaborative environment.
• Prioritizing Personal Well-being: George maintains a balanced diet, regular exercise and hobbies outside work to stay energized and effective. This commitment to personal well-being enhances his resilience and performance in consulting.
• Continuous Learning: Staying updated on industry trends and best practices, George embraces continuous learning to navigate the evolving consulting landscape with confidence and adaptability.

Building a Future-ready Skill Set in Technology

George views continuous learning and professional development as essential to his role as an SAP BPC Consultant.

• Adapting to Technological Advancements: George stays current with SAP updates through training and webinars, ensuring he delivers cutting-edge solutions.
• Expanding Skill Sets: He broadens his expertise by learning complementary technologies and pursuing certifications in data science and cloud computing.
• Enhancing Problem-solving Abilities: Continuous learning improves his problem-solving skills, allowing for innovative solutions like predictive analytics.
• Professional Development: George advances his career through certifications, thought leadership and mentoring, enhancing his technical and leadership skills while staying engaged with industry trends.

Vision for a Sustainable Consulting Business

In his future vision for his SAP BPC consulting practice, George aims for growth, innovation and impact. He plans to:

• Expand Expertise: Embrace AI, ML and predictive analytics by obtaining advanced certifications and participating in industry events.
• Enhance Client Relationships: Adopt a proactive approach with regular system health checks and collaborative solution development, while expanding services to include data governance and process optimization.
• Contribute to the Community: Engage in thought leadership, mentor aspiring consultants and participate in professional networks.

George’s goal is to build a sustainable, scalable practice that remains at the industry’s forefront and delivers exceptional value.