A Connector, Listener, and (Sometimes) Comedian: My Three-Year Ride

After three years at Volkswagen Digital Solutions, two team changes, and countless remote meetings across time zones, I’ve come to realize one thing: the world is actually pretty small when you’re a SuccessFactors consultant. 

I started my journey at DS in the Recruitment module, as a senior consultant responsible for requirement gathering, design, and deployment. During one major implementation, I found myself in a unique position as the only Portuguese consultant on a project led by teams from India and Germany. That setup could’ve felt isolating, but we made it work and made it fun. We had daily short meetings to align on the work being done but also support each other. Work was tough, but we handled it with a good sense of humor and trust. Somewhere along the way, we even chose an “official team GIF” — the running man, a symbol of running towards the solution (something we often did). While most of our collaboration was virtual, I was lucky enough to visit the Wolfsburg offices in Germany and the Pune office in India and meet them all in person. I was able to see the hospitality from these two very different parts of the world that were unique but undeniably genuine. Between both, two things were consistent: good food and bonding are a must.  

While I truly enjoyed myself and gained valuable experience, I eventually felt it was time to explore new opportunities and broaden my perspective. That’s when I transitioned to “Employee Central”, not just for a technical challenge, but to know a new team, explore new workflows and learn new ways of working. 

Most of my day is remote, but it’s rarely quiet. I work closely with teams in India and Germany, and I’ve supported implementations in South Africa, South America, and Southern Europe. Each region has its own rhythm and style, but at the end of the day, the challenges are surprisingly similar: how to solve problems efficiently, communicate clearly, and above all, feel supported in their change management. 

Collaborating across both teams has been a rewarding and sometimes challenging experience, as working with diverse countries and cultures often requires flexibility and adaptation. We’ve initiated a game call to connect with each other. Something very simple, where each person shared either an object from their desk, something interesting or a picture of their pet (all with a short description of course). Camera usage was encouraged but not forced as we didn’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable. Anyone could just post the picture and the story in the Teams chat and enjoy the fun. Over time, descriptions got more fun and the call ended with quiet members deciding to share jokes with us. Something so small had made things so much easier. 

I’ve tried to make work a little more human. A little more fun. And if our calls are full of banter and better collaboration now, I’d like to think I’ve had a part in that. 

Three years. Multiple continents. Two modules. One amazing ride. I’ve learned that being a consultant isn’t just about being a product expert, it’s about being a connector, a listener, and sometimes even a comedian. 

With the world shifting into overdrive, I’ve once again decided to switch lanes into the new and everchanging world of AI. I’d like to believe my experience with change thorought the years will help me succeed in this, as we always say, the biggest Successfactors  transformation ever implemented worldwide. 

Here’s to learning, growing, and laughing across borders, one implementation at a time.