Lieven Depuydt
Oracle/PeopleSoft Competence Leader
"I started at Capgemini as a technical consultant around eight years ago. I did programming in an Oracle environment and fulfilled the team-leader's role. I did my first project for a telecoms client in Paris. By pure chance, I landed up in the world of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). The client had problems with an Oracle database which contained PeopleSoft ERP. I set about analysing the problem, immersed myself in the subject and eventually specialised in it. At the present time, I'm 'Oracle/PeopleSoft Competence Leader' and one of the trailblazers in Capgemini's PeopleSoft team."
"Capgemini offers some good opportunities for professionals with experience. Project managers, sales managers, also technical experts, can build their entire career here and rise to the top of the organisation. Thus, you don't necessarily need to be a top salesman or 'program manager' to make your career. You can continue to grow as a specialist. The best proof of that is myself."
"The Cap company culture can be best summed up by the term 'Collaborative Business Experience'. Co-operation is the key word, with clients and colleagues alike. This results in long-running contracts, since clients frequently come back to us, tapping us for our knowledge and know-how. Personally, I think it's most important that we continue to pursue a policy of follow-up with the client rather than simply go for the profit made from the initial implementation. I know from my own experience that this makes everyone happy."
"Our service line is always on the lookout for people with programming ability, and who know a bit about databases. We give them the time and opportunity to continue their education and to gain experience. At Capgemini, it is possible to move into other areas of expertise at any time. It's not just because you started at PeopleSoft that you stay with PeopleSoft. Internal rotation is to the benefit of staff and organisation alike. It's the best insurance against going stale."