In our latest ASUG Member Spotlight, we sat down with Anurag Varshney, Chief SAP Transformation Strategist & CIO Advisor at McKinsol Consulting. We discussed his background, thoughts on the enterprise architect role, and how ASUG helped him in his career journey.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
What drove your decision to focus on technology and SAP?
My journey began in sales and deeper into logistics roles, where I observed how technology, especially ERP systems, was reshaping business processes and decision-making. Inspired by the transformative potential of technology, I transitioned fully into SAP. My early experiences, from Mitsubishi Lancer to leadership roles at IBM, SAP and an electronics retailer shaped my path. Leading large-scale programs for brands like UCB Pharmaceuticals, Costco, Walmart, PVH, and Tapestry honed my expertise in SAP, making it central to my career.
Managing competing demands led to burnout early in your career. What did you learn from that?
Balancing an evening MBA, demanding SAP projects, and personal responsibilities taught me resilience and effective time management. My values—relationship-building, continuous learning, and impactful contributions—guided me through the pressures, with support from my family. I learned that a clear purpose, hard work, and good intentions can turn challenges into opportunities. Last but not the least, it is always important to maintain a good and healthy personal life and environment at home.
What were significant challenges during your early career with SAP, and how did you navigate them?
With a strong foundation in logistics, I excelled in SAP Materials Management but initially faced challenges in finance and customer relationship management (CRM). My networking skills and commitment to learning enabled me to build rapport and bridge these knowledge gaps, leveraging relationships to meet expectations and set the stage for my growth in SAP. Pursuing SAP certifications across multiple process areas accelerated my skill acquisition, broadening my perspective on transformation programs and empowering me to mentor other SAP professionals within my company and the industry.
Another challenge was expanding my industry knowledge and networking beyond SAP and into the broader business world. To address this, I began participating in non-SAP events and engaging with business professionals. I also founded a non-profit networking platform, the-meet.com, to facilitate the exchange of tech-agnostic industry trends.
What growth opportunities has your SAP journey provided?
My SAP journey has opened doors to diverse industries, from fashion to healthcare, allowing me to quickly understand and adapt to various business models. It has also enabled me to lead McKinsol and collaborate closely with C-suite leaders, enriching my experiential learning across these sectors.
Building McKinsol has allowed me to support hundreds of careers and drive impactful transformations in SAP solutions. I'm proud to have created a hub of innovation with McKinsol's innovation lab, NeuVays.
In your LinkedIn article, “Mastering Time Management and Building Purposeful Connections: A Guide for Executives,” you discuss time management and connections. How has your journey influenced these insights?
My journey taught me the importance of purposeful connections and authentic leadership. By prioritizing relationships and staying focused on impact, I’ve been able to create value for both my team and clients, aligning closely with my principles of time management and connection. Building genuine relationships and balancing strategic priorities are essential for sustained success.
How has your relationship with ASUG benefited you?
ASUG has been instrumental in connecting with industry peers and sharing valuable SAP insights. As a thought leader, I guide members on navigating SAP transformations, often leveraging McKinsol’s expertise in the SAP Business Technology Platform(BTP) and clean-core principles. More than an organization, ASUG is a powerful community—a platform for everyone in the SAP ecosystem to benefit from.
Can you explain your role as an enterprise architect and your vision for SAP’s future?
As an enterprise architect, my role is to design holistic, scalable architectures that adapt to evolving business needs. With SAP’s shift toward clean-core principles and SAP BTP, I envision SAP as a flexible platform that empowers businesses to achieve unique value through a balance of process standardization and customization. SAP BTP has been a game-changer, and my background with SAP cloud technologies made it a natural progression to incorporate SAP BTP into my consulting advisory.
Who have been your key mentors, and what have they taught you?
I’ve been fortunate to have mentors like SPS Narula, Mike Braine, Carl Bamford, and Ashish Parmar—who emphasized integrity, balance, and authentic leadership. Their lessons in strategic planning, team empowerment, and maintaining quality while driving efficiency have been instrumental in my career. My journey at Columbia Business School has further enriched this experience, providing invaluable guidance from professors and industry leaders—alumni and guest faculty—who continue to shape my approach to leadership and strategy integrating authenticity, strategic foresight, and team empowerment.
Do you mentor others, and what advice do you give?
Yes, I mentor both team members and industry professionals across a wide range of roles. I advise newcomers to view SAP as an acquired skill—if they push through the initial learning curve, it can be incredibly rewarding. For seasoned professionals, I emphasize the importance of staying adaptable, as technology requires continuous learning and evolution. Persistence in learning, adaptability, and maintaining a strategic mindset are key to succeeding in SAP. Drawing on my own experience across business, technology, and various roles within the SAP ecosystem, I aim to provide practical guidance for sustained career success. I enjoy meeting new people and helping them.
What lessons from your journey would you pass to your younger self?
Be humble, network effectively, and remain goal-oriented. Hard work and kindness create invaluable support systems, helping you achieve long-term success. Networking and strategic goal-setting are as important as technical skills.
What’s next for you, and what advice do you have for your future self?
My focus is on positioning McKinsol as a leader in SAP S/4HANA for consumer industries and SAP BTP solutions across sectors, with innovations like iDMX, recognized for data governance and clean core practices. I aim to keep pushing boundaries and fostering innovation to ensure McKinsol remains a trusted, enduring partner in the SAP ecosystem. My advice to my future self: stay adaptable, keep learning, and always prioritize client value.