“I was contributing a lot to the role, but I wasn’t feeling the same growth or value in return.”
Chandra Shekhar’s career began humbly, carrying bags of cash and cheques from one office to another. His days started at 9 AM and often stretched past midnight. The work was repetitive, physically demanding, and emotionally draining. Yet, amid the long nights of updating ledgers by hand, something shifted.
Chandra realised he was gaining something invaluable: his first lessons in the corporate world—how people behave, interact, and build trust. Still, the job left him restless.“Professionally I am adding value to the job, but job is not adding any value back to me,” he recalls.
After nearly a year, he knew it was time to move on.
A Turning Point with Technology
In those early roles, computers were just beginning to enter India’s corporate landscape. While cleaning out old records, Chandra stumbled across a book on WordStar and Lotus. Curious, he taught himself how to use a computer, sneaking in practice whenever he could. That curiosity became the foundation for a career-long journey.
Later, at EDS, he was introduced to Sun Accounting Systems—and eventually, SAP. What began as sitting next to a colleague to watch him fix errors soon turned into Chandra becoming the go-to problem solver himself. This was more than technical training—it was the spark that would define the rest of his professional life.
Rescuing Projects, Building Trust
Years later, Chandra found himself in the middle of one of the toughest projects of his career: bringing order to a struggling government IT program for railway. The project had been mired in delays and subcontracting problems. Through patience, strategy, and persistence, he and his team phased out unreliable vendors and went live with payroll first.
Success in this critical area built confidence across the organisation and turned a near-failure into a working system. But for Chandra, the most profound lessons weren’t about technology—they were about people. He learned that trust and honesty are the foundation of any successful project.
“It is very important that you interact with people effectively and you gain their trust and confidence. It doesn’t happen overnight—it takes time, actions, and transparency.”
Finding Joy in Problem-Solving and People
Even after more than two decades in SAP, Chandra’s passion has not dimmed. What keeps him going is simple: solving problems that matter.
“When I solve problems and see a kind of smile on a person who is actually using those solutions, that gives me a lot of satisfaction. It feels like I’m kind of a doctor—solving issues, making life easy, and enabling business.”
Equally, he treasures the relationships forged across cultures and geographies. Whether in India, Melbourne, or in late-night calls across the world, he sees every interaction as part of one larger story.
“It feels like the entire world is kind of one family, a big, big family.”
Grounded in Simplicity
Outside of SAP, Chandra finds joy in the quieter corners of life. He treasures time with family and friends, often sharing meals and conversations that remind him of what truly matters. Music and long walks give him balance, helping him reflect and recharge after demanding days.
Though his professional journey has taken him from the cashier’s counter to navigating complex systems, it’s these simple moments of connection and stillness that keep him grounded and remind him of who he is beyond the workplace.
Giving Back
Today, Chandra channels his experience into mentorship, speaking, and guiding newcomers in the ERP space. His advice is clear:
“If you have any question, don’t hold it to yourself. There’s no such thing as a silly question. The moment you stop asking, you limit your own knowledge.”
For someone who once began with ledgers, long nights, and an accidental book on Lotus, Chandra Shekhar’s story is one of resilience, curiosity, and an unwavering belief in the value of people. His journey reminds us that at the heart of ERP—and life—it’s always about learning, connection, and trust.
Connect with Chandra on LinkedIn
