In the early 2000s, Nicole Dundas was like many young Australians chasing adventure abroad, heading to London with hope, curiosity, and a touch of nerves.
Unlike most, she carried a skill that set her apart: fluent German, learned during a high school exchange in Switzerland. She dreamed of a role where she could connect cultures, use her language skills, and make a tangible impact.
A Crazy Stroke of Luck
Through what she calls “a crazy stroke of luck,” Nicole landed a role supporting Tetrapak’s European SAP implementation in Manchester. She didn’t meet all the technical qualifications, but she had the right combination of willingness, curiosity, adaptability, and English/German fluency.
Yet, as she walked into that first meeting with the German business leadership, she could sense a guardedness and underlying scepticism. “Understandably everyone… were quite sceptical and confused how this young Aussie accounting graduate with no previous SAP implementation experience would be able to pull this off.”
Rising to the Challenge
Instead of letting doubt intimidate her, Nicole leaned into the opportunity. She worked tirelessly to establish trust, collaborating with both technical teams and business stakeholders. She socialised process changes, identified gaps, coordinated testing, and addressed readiness, job redesign, and training needs. She tackled every challenge with humility and openness, learning from every interaction and mistake.
By the end of the year, the narrative had completely shifted. The same German leaders who had once been sceptical were now acknowledging the successful transition, recognising the efficiency gains and appreciating her efforts.
Nicole’s early success was proof that perseverance, empathy, and relationship-building often outweigh technical mastery in driving meaningful change.
People First, Technology Second
Reflecting on her career, Nicole emphasises that her achievements were never just about the technology or language skills.
“A genuine interest and appreciation for people is universal and was critical for enabling project success, and still primarily drives my work in the Change Management space today.”
Nicole’s approach is simple but profound: focus on natural strengths, pursue roles that align with your capabilities and interests, and embrace challenges as opportunities to grow. She advises newcomers to ERP projects to be authentic, collaborative, and humble, recognising that learning happens most when you’re stretched and outside your comfort zone.
Lessons from a Life of Transformation
Nicole’s journey offers more than a career story—it’s a lesson in courage, adaptability, and the power of human connection. Across cultures, systems, and organisations, she has consistently proven that people, not technology, are at the heart of every successful transformation.
Her story reminds us that trust, curiosity, and a genuine appreciation for others can turn scepticism into celebration, and obstacles into milestones.
“If you’re being stretched, remember this is when you are learning the most… be open to the process, and you’ll gain amazing skills and knowledge.”
Nicole Dundas’ story is a testament to the idea that meaningful change is always a human journey first, with technology merely enabling the possibilities.
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