So what does it take to hit the road week in and week out applying the tools of your trade? I can only speak of my experience, so please take this in that context… Everyone is different yet this is what I do to make it work for me and my family. This blog runs through what a road warrior is and does and should you choose to read further or are interested in this path I end up with what I believe makes for a good road warrior.
Firstly, what is an SAP road warrior? Well, in my terms, it's someone that jumps on a plane on Sunday evening (or early Monday morning) and arrives at the client's office several hours later ready to rock and roll. They spend the rest of the week on site, picking up fast food in the middle of the day, working late and the retiring to the hotel room in the evening. Then comes the trip back home on either Thursday evening or sometime on Friday (and sometimes even on Saturday!) On extreme cases weekend duty is called upon which makes for two or more weeks away from home… International road warriors often leave for a month or more at a time.
Now that we have established what my understanding of a road warrior is we can go in to the mysteries surrounding them. Just to set the scene … So where does it all start and what do you have to do as a road warrior?
Once you've taken your job search through to interview -> job offer -> acceptance of terms -> contract signing it's time to make arrangements. Since I'm often left to my own devices I make my own arrangements. Firstly I see if I can get a flight arranged as cheaply as possible to the required destination. (I prefer to keep the same airline so as to minimize the variances in my life - and build airline loyalty status) On the same website I try to book a car rental and hotel (also to avoid unnecessary complexities). I can go to one website to get my itinerary. (PS: A site like http://tripit.com can now also track your itinerary for you)
So, once all the travel is arranged my typical week starts on Sunday by checking in and getting my mobile boarding pass. It's time to pack. Same bag, same travel toiletries, same "uniform", same backpack, each week... to keep it simple.
Monday morning is an early rise and flight to the client. Pick up the car (hopefully from the same location each week) and off to the client. Once we have a full day under the belt it's off to the hotel (hopefully the same hotel each week) to check in. If you keep things the same each week there is just less time thinking about the stuff that ultimately does not matter!!! Repeat until Thursday when you pack up, check out, work a full day, return the rental car (quick tip: Hertz gold level allows you to return the car without filling the gas and they just charge normal rates to fill her back up - saves time having to go to the gas station) and fly back home.
So, in short let's bullet point some financial aspects of the road warrior life:
Typical expenses include (hopefully reimbursed by the client but if it's an all inclusive contract then take these costs in to consideration when bidding for the gig)
Mileage to and from the airport
Airport parking fees (or taxi / Uber fee to airport)
Airfare
Rental car at client location
Hotel accommodation
Per diem (daily rate) or actual food expenses (I like to scan in my expenses directly in to Dropbox - great app for it)
So what are the cons???
Spending time away from the family - This is an absolute deal breaker for many who choose not to follow this path
Travel - If you don't like flying then this is simply not for you
Hotel pillows!!!
Hotel beds!!!
Assuming you get some sleep, I sometimes wake up wondering where I am...
The food. Eating out all the time gets old real quick
So what are the pros???
Networking with the best - Each project offers a unique view in to SAP and you invariably learn something new all the time. It's an ever evolving world out there. It's great to be a part of the small world of SAP and to learn from others and share with others
Time: I have time in the evenings to work on the many other initiatives that I have under way. I can write blogs, work on my website ERPGenie.COM (http://www.erpgenie.com), liaise with potential authors for ERPGenie Press (http://press.erpgenie.com), write a book, script a speech for a webinar or conference, moderate my forums and read up on what's going on out there
Money: The remuneration for a road warrior is often more than that of a salaried employee, mostly for the reasons listed above… Supply and demand ultimately prevails and determines the price though. If you are looking for the best resource in a particular area it would be naïve to think that the resource would be local to your company so your next best bet is to call in the road warriors ;)
If I take a look at what I believe it takes to be a successful SAP road warrior
First and foremost comes your personality and core belief system. You need a stable life back at home with a trustworthy, reliable partner taking care of the family and home. With so much time spent on the road and so many people involved in your life that are strangers to your partner you have to be trustworthy and accountable for your actions.
Secondly, you have to be able to adapt quickly to new circumstances particularly at new clients. You need the ability to merge your knowledge in to providing value to the client in the area that they hired you to fill.
Of course, you need the knowledge that separates you from the rest of the warrior clan…
Are you ready?
I have been at many clients where the employees I work with have shown some resentment towards myself and my fellow road warrior clan because they have some knowledge about the rate being paid to get us in. Often it's 3 or more times their annual salary… On each instance I found myself trying to justify the difference by stating all of the above issues we face as well as the fact that we don't get the billing rate, only a fraction of that (hopefully a good fraction ;) Now, I just say to those people "You have the choice to do it as well if you wish!" and this is usually followed by a volley of reasons why it wouldn't work for them (usually one of the issues mentioned above) . A mutual understanding is then formed and life continues…
A few tips to leave you with
Join a frequent flier / travel program first thing... Treat your family to a nice weekend away on Marriott
KISS - Keep It Simple Stoopid - Focus on the important stuff (work) and less on the non-value-add stuff (travel)
Always remain honest - I've heard of 6 people this last month being fired because they either falsified their expense forms or double-dipped (worked 2 full-time clients at the same time) - Don't do it!
Add Value - People will keep you around if you are adding value - They hired you for a reason so freely give out your expertise. Share your knowledge
This life is certainly not for everyone but if you have the right personality, a drive to make it a success for yourself, then you can do big things as the next SAP Road Warrior!!! Welcome to the clan!!!