Blog It Forward – Stephen Burr

I will start by thanking Stephen Millard for inviting me (via his own BIF post) to join in the BIF challenge (created by xMoshe Naveh (Old Acct)).  In case you don’t know about the BIF Challenge then Stephen’s intro best explains it … “it’s a chain of blog posts introducing you to members of the SAP Community Network in a more fun and informative way than a typical bio”.

About Me

I live in the historic city of York, UK.  York is a walled city (pop. 200,000) located 200 miles directly north of London. Amongst its many charms is the Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe and the National Railway Museum (my son’s favourite place).

I have been married 10 years and am blessed to have two happy and healthy children; a son about to turn 5 (he’s counting the days down) and a daughter who is 18 months old.

After graduating from Loughborough University (Mathematics BSc.), I completed a graduate programme with Friends Provident, worked briefly at Credit Suisse First Boston, then onto an IT consultancy (working mainly with Lloyds TSB) before joining ROC, where I still work nearly 14 years later.  ROC is a HCM consultancy and I am currently a Solution Architect focussed on SAP HCM Talent Management where I am a subject matter expert on Nakisa’s visualisation solutions.

Away from work, I do Jiu Jitsu which I initially started at university and have progressed to light blue belt (and assistant instructor).  Jitsu (“yielding art”) is a Japanese martial art that uses an opponent’s force against them.  Mainly it makes my brain think differently and keeps me fit (& away from a computer screen).  I also enjoying walking and travelling with my family – again anything outdoors that gets me away from screens!

This is not my “usual” car, just a day of fun ->

Fun Fact

As a kid I played a lot of snooker and reached a good junior standard making a century break shortly after turning 14.  A couple of the people I used to play, and practise with, are now professional; one is the current World Champion.  But my actual fun fact is that I once appeared in a mid-1980’s video about snooker … I’ll save you from describing how I was dressed that day, but it is hard to imagine it was ever fashionable!  And that isn’t a photo I chose to include in my blog!

What do you enjoy most about your work?

This is easy … for me, the most enjoyable aspect of my job is meeting new customers. I love finding out what makes their business work and meeting the people who are passionate about it.

If you were 20 again, what would you study?

If I’d been more aware of the variety of careers available when I was 18 then I think I might have done some kind of engineering course at university which might have taken my career in a different direction (or maybe I would have still ended up in I.T.!).

Greatest Professional Achievement

Stephen Millard set this question when he forwarded the BIF challenge.  I think there have been many points in my career where I’ve taken on new roles and have to adapt and learn quickly to achieve a target.  One of those was being asked to speak at HR conferences.  Like most people, public speaking is not something that comes completely naturally, so I’d say I’m proud that I stepped up to the challenge.  Each time becomes a bit easier and now I feel comfortable doing it, although I still feel nervous just before.

Take My Breath Away Place

I’m going to set this question to my BIF nominees so I thought I’d answer it.  My “take my breath away place” came during a 3 month sabbatical from ROC in 2005.  My wife and I had decided to travel extensively during this period and were in Kaikoura, (south island) New Zealand with the aim of seeing Sperm Whales.  Out of the boat, thousands of miles from home, we stood together and watched as the whale surfaced, turned and dived back with its tail rising majestically.  It was truly breath taking place (and moment) to be; to witness such an enormous animal in action in its natural environment.

Blog It Forward

I’d like to Blog It Forward to 2 people I follow on Twitter and also enjoy their insights.  Both work in the SAP HCM area.

• Jeremy Masters
• Steve Bogner

Please refer to the guidelines and consider whether you can include answers to:

1. Tell me about a place in the world that took your breath away
2. What was the single best career decision you’ve ever taken?