Aleks x Babitha – Insights on Thriving as a Woman in Tech and SAP

Aleksandra Mojak from Cavendish Professionals, recently had the privilege of sitting down with Babitha Sathyanarayanan, a SAP Master Data Governance Manager with over 20 years of experience. The session focused on women in SAP and emerging markets, offering invaluable wisdom on professional growth, overcoming challenges and fostering inclusive workplaces in the technology sector.

Strategic Growth and the Talent Pipeline

Babitha emphasised the significant opportunity within the SAP ecosystem, particularly in emerging markets. She highlighted that for organisations to capitalise on this growth, they must focus on developing female talent.

• “We must ensure quality education and training are priorities,” Babitha said, “alongside providing opportunities for targeted upskilling in critical areas like data governance and real-time solutions”
• According to Babitha, creating flexible and safe work environments is foundational to attracting and retaining the necessary skilled professionals

Addressing Systemic Barriers to Advancement

Despite progress, women face entrenched obstacles. Babitha outlined the key friction points that organisations must actively mitigate.

• Cultural Perception: The prevailing notion of a male-dominated field leads to a lack of visible female role models and critically, limits mentorship and promotion opportunities
• The Motherhood Penalty: Babitha said that the perception of reduced commitment following maternity or adoption leave, remains a critical issue that companies must address with deliberate policies
• Educational Access: For women from low-income backgrounds, the lack of access to technical education and industry certifications presents a major barrier to entering the high-value SAP workforce

Corporate Commitment and Personal Resilience

Achieving balance requires intentional action from both the organisation and the individual. Babitha offered practical advice for navigating the complex demands of a senior tech career and parenting.

• Babitha advises that women must develop self-belief and set clear boundaries to succeed. “You have to believe in your own ability and find the confidence to speak up for the support you need”
• Regarding career management, she recommends: “Know what truly matters and prioritise accordingly. Be prepared to delegate and build your own support system, don’t wait for others to create your path”
• She stressed that managers must be supportive by offering flexible work hours and understanding the unique needs of a diverse workforce

Practical Tips for Long-Term Success

Babitha concluded with tangible tips for achieving sustainable success while balancing personal life:

• Set Clear Boundaries: Communicate expectations at home and work to reduce conflict and ambiguity.
• Prioritise & Delegate: Focus on high-value tasks and don’t hesitate to outsource or delegate less critical tasks.
• Leverage Flexibility: Embrace remote work, hybrid models and flexible hours to manage energy and time effectively.

By applying these principles and actively seeking out sponsors and allies, women in SAP can not only navigate the corporate world but redefine it, building resilience and achieving success on their own terms. It’s a journey of embracing the future, believing in the potential of women in tech, and standing firm in our commitment to inclusive growth.