Learning as a Guiding Principle: Yamen Albahesh

y.albahesh@srb.at

Typically, the workday in a new company begins with the proverbial leap into cold water. For Yamen Albahesh, who has been with SRB since September 2021 as a CX consultant, a member of the end-to-end service team, and one of our experts in handling SAP Service Cloud & SAP Field Service Management, the water was probably more lukewarm. His adventure with SRB began – cleverly timed – with the annual company weekend. More or less. 'That was a great opportunity to get to know such a large team like at SRB in a relaxed atmosphere as a newcomer. And that certainly made the start immensely easier,' Yamen reflects with a small grin on his beginnings at SRB.

Learning German on TV

That it would have worked without the 'relaxed' start at SRB is immediately convincing when you meet the lively, 31-year-old native Syrian in person. Communication is his passion. And that, even though he couldn't speak a single word of German when he moved from Damascus to Vienna at the age of 22.

'I learned German mainly through television,' Yamen recalls. His goal back then: to watch films over and over until he understood them. And of course, to learn the language.

It worked excellently. Almost always. Only with one film did he get absolutely nowhere – and he set it aside without further ado. Two years later, however, ambition struck him again, and he picked up the previously neglected DVD, 'only to then realise that it was not a German film, but a Scandinavian one,' Yamen laughs today about his language faux pas. He still hasn't understood the film to this day.

Learning as a Guiding Principle

Digitalisation, service & success – with these three words, Yamen describes his current job. These three things were also what drove him forward early on and repeatedly. When his family acquired their first PC in 2000, Yamen was immediately enthusiastic. He knew: computer technology would continue to accompany him.

However, he never thought it would determine his life to such an extent, as he states: 'Actually, I was more at home in engineering and thus in the hardware sector.' Or more precisely, in studying Biomedical Engineering at the university in Damascus, later continued at FH Technikum Wien.

But often, things turn out differently than one thinks. For Yamen, it was no different. An internship alongside his studies was the tipping point that pushed him more towards IT. An internship with insights into image analysis, the use of artificial intelligence, and big data analysis. The focus of his master's studies in Medical Engineering became e-health, and his first 'real' job alongside his studies brought him closer to ERP.

Yamen was 'hooked'. And the desire to learn even more about IT grew. To learn and to succeed. He won his first award while still at FH Technikum Wien. Together with his team, he won the award at the 'Best Project Awards 2019' for an e-health app for managing patient data. After that, his next stop on his own 'success ladder of lifelong learning': SAP.

'Without learning, it eventually becomes boring. I firmly believe that the most important thing to do your job well is the will to learn. Learning with a broad perspective, learning that is more than just accumulating knowledge in one's own field.'

In Action for the Customers

Today, Yamen applies his IT and project knowledge and everything he has acquired about SAP and SAP S/4HANA for SRB customers. And he loves it. The contact with customers, consulting and support, the problems he solves. 'There is nothing better than helping someone. When customers are satisfied, I am happy. And that I can do this at SRB in a team where everyone helps each other and is there for one another feels even better,' Yamen praises SRB.

So it is no surprise that the self-proclaimed 'everything eater' with a penchant for Mediterranean cuisine prefers the office environment and direct, personal exchange with SRB colleagues over working from home. When the diligent worker does find himself outside the office, he enjoys relaxing walks or trips to the gym. Especially to clear his head, as he says. To clear his head for new things. Like the SAP Service Cloud, for example – the area he wants to focus on next. And thus, we return to what drives his motivation and joy: learning. Have fun, Yamen!

Inside SRB

Every month, we introduce one of our SRB employees in more detail here on the blog. We look behind make-up, business outfits, and PowerPoint slides and want to bring you closer to the people who make up our SRB expertise. Together we are SRB. For further reading: #1 – Manfred Scheiner #2 – Veronika Lomasow