Ajay Maheswhari – SCN Member of the Month November 2012
Ajay Maheshwari is the SCN Member of the Month for November 2012. I’ve known the name “Ajay Maheshwari” for a while now; it started almost like a legend. A couple of years ago, I was discovering our new reports in BusinessObjects Explorer and I spotted Ajay’s name. He had so many points in the Financials area that it was hard to believe it, and I was wondering if our reports were displaying accurate data or not π
But this is all true. Ajay has been very active in the community for over two years now, responding to forum questions on a daily basis. He’s been helpful to many and he’s learned a lot on the way. He told me how SCN has helped him professionally and how he loves to connect with people from all over the world here.
Ajay, can you tell us a bit about yourself, where you live, who you work for, and other things you would like to share with the community (hobbies, fun facts)?
I come from Hyderabad, a city in South East India. I hold a commerce (B.Com) and management accountant qualification (ICWA). I’ve been working with IBM India for six years now and I like working there. It’s a very exciting company, I lead a team of 7 people and my Management supports my engagement in SCN. I’m actually one of the top IBM contributors on SCN π
My domain of expertise is FICO; for my job I have delivered 5 full cycle implementations and 2 AMS assignments. In addition to contributing on SCN I’m also very active inside IBM, encouraging people to be active in our internal community, mentoring them, and building a strong FICO community.
On a personal level, I like travelling and discovering places in India because it’s a beautiful country in many aspects. I also like to listen to old Indian music, the type of slow music (here is a link to a song I really like, called Chalte Chalte Mere Ye Geet Yaad Rakna).
In one of your threads you once mentioned that you were not a very technical person, but myself I find your content fairly technical π Most of the time it’s “all about business” and helping people. No time for jokes! That was just a funny comment on my side… In your profile bio you mention that you are a free-lance trainer and are also involved in pre-sales, so it seems your job is more functional than technical. Can you elaborate on this?
It was said in a context. I know the SAP functionality and the way of enhancing it, i.e. I know which enhancement option can help in a given business situation. But if someone asks me the minute details of the BADI, exit, then I may not be the right person to comment on them.
I work as a freelance trainer for FICO and do conduct online trainings in my free time. Within IBM I am involved in some pre sales activities apart from developing courses for the FICO practitioners, mentoring the community and assisting various projects in their delivery as a subject matter expert.
Note from Laure: I think it’s pretty exceptional to have people on SCN who have both business and technical skills. They are what Thomas Dulaney considers the most successful consultants.
When did you become a member of SCN and what brought you to this community?
I registered in 2008 for trouble shooting. I started contributing in June 2010, in my free time, and slowly it became a passion as I was learning and contributing at the same time. I feel I have had an awesome journey on SCN as I got to know many people, gained a lot of respect worldwide. It has helped my career growth at IBM.
Every recognition from SCN encouraged me along the way. I was first a “Top 3 contributors in last 30 days” in the forums, then became “Active Contributor Bronze” then Silver, Gold and Platinum. And I finally landed as a “Topic Leader” in the Financials category and “SAP Financials Expert”. My passion just kept growing as I was getting rewards for my contributions.
Note from Laure: Yes, no edits on my side. Ajay really said that the point system and the different levels of recognition motivated him to be regularly active and level up. That’s the best compliment I can hear, knowing that people do appreciate the efforts we make towards recognition and reputation of our members!
Ajay and I also talked about moderation and how important it is for the quality of a space, especially if there is a lot of activity. Eli Klovski and Christian Ortner are two active moderators in the Financials area and I managed to get help for them! Ajay is interested in becoming a Moderator in the FICO area. Gali Kling Schneider will be happy!
How does SCN help you in your daily activities?
SCN has helped in multiple ways, from trouble shooting when I joined four years ago to contributing and learning more by doing so. I gained a lot of respect within and outside IBM thanks to my contributions in the forums. I believe it has helped me in my career. And when I attend interviews now, many times I hear that “we have no question to ask you, you know everything”. π
It’s also nice to meet people in person, after having interacted with them online. A lot of people approached me at TechEd Bangalore last year, that was nice. I also met with Jim Spath there and he encouraged me to start blogging, which I haven’t done yet.
Note from Laure: I definitely would like to see Ajay start blogging! I have a very easy assignment for him: Blog It Forward. He promised he would do soon. @Moshe will be happy!
How do you find the time to contribute on SCN?
If you love to do something, it becomes your priority and you can very easily find time for what is important. I log in every day, I actually get an email notification whenever something is posted in the Financials area, so I come in and help people when they ask a question.
What do you like most about the community in general?
Knowledge sharing and the willingness to help even strangers!!
In addition to SAP ERP Financials, are there other areas of SCN that you follow and like to get updates from?
Not many. I check About SCN from time to time, but that’s it.
Note from Laure: I’d say Ajay is a FICO addict! Maybe he should get his own badge for that π
If a new member came to you and asked you for advice on how to be an active and respected member of SCN, what would you say?
SCN is a great place for networking as well, people should use the opportunity. Also, they should make the time to be active and engaged, they will learn a lot that way and the rest falls in place. Whether you come on SCN for trouble shooting, learning or contributing, there is something in it for you.
Is there an SCN member you admire (OK… you can name a few)?
Eli Klovski and Christian Ortner, both SCN Moderators who have a lot of knowledge and do an amazing job moderating the Financials spaces.
Mangalraj Senthamaraikannan who is very active in the Logistics area and Maria Luisa Munoz who is a very active Moderator. Both of them step in whenever needed and are a great help in the forums. They consistently provide high quality answers to the community.
Declan Curley, a guy who at first was not very active but helped me back in 2008. Now we have more and more interaction.
Maria Luisa and Declan are both from SAP.
Easy question: Mac or Windows?
Windows
And no, I haven’t checked out Windows 8 yet.
Are you on Twitter?
Yes, I’m ajaycwa1981
Every month, a member of the SAP Community Network is recognized for exemplary behavior: sharing knowledge with peers, being helpful and taking on additional tasks to support community engagement. See the list of previous SCN Members of the Month.
Dear Ajay,
That a great achivement, keep up the good work !!! Best of Luck
Thanks,
Nishan Dev
Thanks Nishan!!
Many Congratulations Ajay!
Thanks Kumud.. Your smile rocks!!! π
@Ajay Maheshwari:
First of all, congratulation for being recognized as "SCN Member of the Month November 2012".
Its been more than 2 years now, since I'm following your post.
I can say, you are SAP FICO Posting Encyclopedia.
Frankly, I thought of sending you an invite for BIF(Blog It Forward), unfortunately π , I'm lagging behind my schedule to complete & publish my BIF.
Keep the good work & word going,,, All the very best... π
Laure Cetin & Team:
Its really gr8 work & effort to recognizing such a gr8 talent.
Regards, JP
Thanks JP.
Don't worry we got it covered and Ajay will soon get an invite to blog it forward π Looking forward to reading your blog!
Laure
Jyoti Prakash Ajay Maheshwari SAP Trainer Laure Cetin: How about doing Scnotty? That's one of the quickest way of introducing yourself to the community. Moreover, for Bangalore we certainly need more entries:
http://wiki.sdn.sap.com/wiki/display/Community/30+Seconds+of+Recognition+2012+-+Bangalore+Edition
Ajay, in case you need more tips you could read this blog.
Regards,
Kumud
Good suggestion Kumud, especially with TechEd Bangalore around the corner.
Laure
Congratulations Ajay.
Regards, Vinod
My Hearty Congrualtion
Ajay Anna.
Congrats Ajay, It is proud moment for you and IBM.
Dhanalakshmi
Congratulations Ajay,
when i saw your name in the top contribution list of all SDN Forums(old), i though it was a system generated ID and SAP given it for encouraging people to contribute more, but i am glad to see you here on SCN and very happy to see a person from a place near to ours(rjy)
Heartful Congrats for being the member of month.
regards,
mahesh
Congrats for the honour, Ajay.
Regards,
Sudhakar
Hi Laure, Ajay...
Wow, Ajay is really hardcore FICO!
I can tell by the comments here, that if Ajay has not already been blogitforward -ed, he will be soon.
Great work, Ajay. It's always great to meet a passionate member of our community.
Sue
Dear Susan, I have challenged Ajay in my BIF as a heavyweights contributors in forums. would be great to know more about the big names of this community.
best regards
Great! The pressure is on π There is someone else who, very soon, is going to blog it forward to Ajay as well.
Very well done
“we have no question to ask you, you know everything”. I would say the same since I'am a Financials contributor and I have seen a lot of this man!
Dear Ajay,
Congratulations on getting recongnised as "Member of the Month". You truly are like a "Perennial River of Knowledge", and not many would differ with my view. π
Your services to worldwide SAP community are incredible and praiseworthy. I wish you to continue your excellent support to the SAP fraternity. I hope you even pen a book on SAP Controlling which can take you a long way in the SAP world.
You are always extending your helping hand to everybody. I really appreciate that.
My Best wishes for your continued success and ever support to the Community.
Best Regards
Surya Varma
It goes without saying that Ajay is the best FICO resource in current SAP Era . π His Expertise in Controlling and Asset Accounting are unmatchable.
Well done Ajay. You clearly deserve this credit and applause.
Keep up your high spirits.
Best Regards,
Ravi
Many Congratulations Ajay π
keep it up.
really have done a great job.!!!
Regards,
Jitendra
Dear Ajay,
My Best Wishes for you.
Regards,
Umamageshwaran.S
My hearty congratulations for achieving this milestone Ajay and keep up the good work. π
Till the migration of SCN, you were the top contributor not only in Financial forum but globally all forums put together, for couple of years and the way you gave suggestions to all queries are astonishing. But in SCN, you are not contributing much and the members in financial forum are the loosers. π
Please keep contributing to the forum regularly.
With regards
G. Lakshmipathi
Dear Lakshmipathi,
I agree with you however I would add actually the forum contributors were very damaged by the new changes in SCN and many members are no longer participating regularly.
Our moderator Eli Klovski has made many efforts to improve this situation. Please check out the links below:
New SCN Poll
Summary of users
Hi Marssel,
I do accept with your comments.
It is true even in my case, I lost lot of interest in replying in forum. Many of the highly contributed people, particularly not responding much like Ajay, Atif etc. They are the top contributors in Finance Area. I believe the new SCN might have affected them a lot, like me. The new SCN may be good for writing blog, but not participating in forums. The ease has completely lost with old SDN.
Many thanks for sharing the poll and summary.
Best Regards,
Ravi
I totally agree Marssel Vilaca that with the new changes in SCN, we have lost many valuable members but at the same time, it is natural that anything that is introduced newly, there will be some teething problem and only during the course of time, it will get resolved. For that members should have patience and keep reporting whatever bugs they come acrosss.
G. Lakshmipathi
Hi All,
Thank you for all the love and respect and good comments that you have mentioned about me.. It really makes me special and feel special..
As regards the discussion above w.r.t. lesser contribution in the forum after new SCN got introduced, all I can say is thats not true in my case... My responsibilities have increased in both personal and professional front and thats the reason I am not able to contribute much.. Over last 2 months, I am trying to change the situation and have started again
What I feel is one should contribute for the joy of contributing.. Recognition comes by itself whether in terms of points or something else... I am saying this out of personal experience.. If you really like connecting to people, learning and sharing - then SCN is the right place, as we all know.. Yes, there are some changes, good and bad both... Eg: People are now able to attach images and share their problems/issues in a better way
But yes, nothing should stop us from sharing our opinion and views.. Because, thats what matters and that would provide SAP the platform to improve it further
Happy Contributing!!!
Share knowledge, Gain Knowledge!!
br, Ajay M
Hi Ajay,
When I was in IBM, I come to know, and you also the inspiration for me in SCN,
I still remember, your name would be the topper name in the over all top contributor in SCN,
I am happy to see you in this place, enjoyed your interview and thanks a lot for all your contribution...
Best wishes for your bright future. π
Thanks
Jansi
Ajay,
Whenever I post a query in "ERP Controlling". I know I would get at least one reply and that would be from Ajay Maheshwari ! And the reply would be 100% correct too π
You are an asset for the SCN Communitry.
Ajay Anna,
Superb...........
My Heartly Congratulations.......
Always we required precious solutions from you....Keep it up....
Regards,
Balaji Bhonsle
Congratulations Ajay
Keep up the good work and hopefully the 'newbies like me' will someday be proactive as you have been
cheers
Chris
Hi Ajay,
Congratulations for these achivements.
You have helped us with many ways with sharing your knowledge in IBM & On SCN.
And also guiding about career ways.
And BEST of luck for future role.
Very soon, We will see you on biger role & we want it as IBMer.
>> Anil Thorat
Hi Ajay
Congratulations
KeiahnM Raju
Congrats Ajay anna........I learn lot of things from Ajay..
Congratulation Ajay Tammudu...just came to know about you..