Hi I have recently decided to train as an SAP consultant but am unsure in which specific area to train in (SCM, CO, FI etc). Which area should I train in, bearing in mind salary, amount of work available, foreseeable changes in the market, price of training etc? Also I am very keen to move to Southern Europe (Italy or Spain), is any particular area of expertise (in SAP) going to aid me with this? If so, which?Many Thanks

Don't do SAP. The market is reaching saturation. Do strategic supply chain management and/or operations research. That way, you can do some high level thinking and increase your value through differentiation.

Agree with above post. Everyone and thier dog is a SAP consultant at the moment. Additionally we don't get paid what management consultants get paid. Contracting maybe maybe if lucky 500 GBP a day. End user firm 50-60 K. Gone are the heady days of +1000 GBP per day.

Thanks... In that case what is strategic supply chain managment? And how should i get trained in it?

Get an MBA from a top 20-25 school (US rankings, in addition to top UK schools), or get a masters in supply chain or operations research. Or, market yourself to the best of your ability to get these jobs. Learn as much as possible and be mentored. Maybe seek an internship or Co-Op somewhere and leverage that into a consulting job.

You could also purchase some books. I would recommend the following:Modeling the supply chain - ShapiroComputer Simulation in Logistics - NersesianLogistics & Supply Chain Mgt - Martin ChristopherI work in Supply Chain and Ops Research role. Certainly in the uK its difficult to recruit people who have a combined skill base of supply chain strategy and analytical skills. Get the combines skillset and you will be in high demandHope this helps