Achieving the Impossible
What SAP Professionals Can Learn from DeepSeek
When DeepSeek launched its breakthrough AI model, it sent shockwaves through the tech industry. A small, scrappy startup managed to dethrone giants like OpenAI, achieving the same performance at a fraction of the cost. What made DeepSeek so disruptive wasn’t just the technology—it was the radical approach: focusing on what mattered most and cutting out everything else. Their achievement raised a vital question: Do we overestimate the importance of size, resources, and complexity in achieving success?
This isn’t just a question for AI. It’s one that leaders, project managers, freelancers, and innovators grapple with every day. Whether it’s implementing enterprise software, rolling out a new product, or simply delivering results under tight constraints, DeepSeek’s story proves a universal truth: success doesn’t come from doing more, but from doing what matters most.
I’ve seen this principle in action throughout my career in SAP. One of my earliest lessons came from a project in 1999—a global SAP template initiative brimming with resources, experts, and ambition. It had everything, except a clear vision. The result? We burned through budgets and time with no tangible outcome. It was my first brush with the dangers of overengineering and unfocused complexity.
But failure, as it often does, became a powerful teacher. Years later, I revisited that lesson while working solo on a rented SAP system. Instead of chasing perfection, I focused on a single critical process: paying a customer invoice. In just eight hours, I had a working prototype. This wasn’t just a technical milestone—it was a shift in thinking. Constraints didn’t hold me back; they sharpened my focus.
That same principle surfaced again in 2001 when I was part of a two-person team tasked with implementing SAP for a new branch in Dubai. Minimal budget, minimal time, and yet, we achieved the fastest go-live of my career. And again, during a European rollout years later, I witnessed how removing bloated layers of management revitalised a project, allowing a smaller team to deliver faster and more effectively.
These moments of clarity—where focus, simplicity, and constraints led to remarkable outcomes—shaped what I now call the Fast Implementation Track (FIT). FIT isn’t just a methodology; it’s a mindset for navigating complex projects by prioritising what matters most. It’s also the foundation of my book, Make FIT Your Purpose, where I outline how you can use these principles to save time, reduce costs, and unlock better results, whether you’re managing an ERP rollout or pursuing a personal goal.
As we explore these ideas, think about the challenges you’re facing. Are there areas where complexity is slowing you down? Could constraints become an opportunity to innovate? Whether you’re an executive looking to streamline digital transformation, a project manager balancing competing priorities, or an early-career professional eager to learn, these lessons are universal.
I’ll share stories behind these breakthroughs that changed how I approach SAP implementations. Along the way, I’ll show how the principles that powered DeepSeek’s success are the same ones that can transform your projects.
Let’s explore how less truly can be more.
When faced with constraints, many people see roadblocks. But what if constraints are actually opportunities in disguise? This is a question I’ve wrestled with throughout my career—and one that DeepSeek answered so decisively with their disruptive AI model. They didn’t have access to cutting-edge hardware, limitless budgets, or established industry clout. Instead, they faced US sanctions, restricted resources, and global scepticism. But rather than letting those limitations define them, they found a way to innovate. By narrowing their focus to the essentials, they built an AI model that rivalled giants like OpenAI—all while operating on a fraction of the budget.
This lesson—less is more—is something I learned early in my SAP career, though not without some hard knocks. In 1999, I was part of an ambitious project to build a global SAP template. We had every advantage: a large team of module experts, a generous budget, and an impressive timeline. On paper, it seemed like a guaranteed success. But as the weeks turned into months, it became clear that something was wrong. Each expert focused on their own module, creating isolated solutions that didn’t fit together. With no unifying vision or framework, the project became a tangle of complexity. Resources were wasted, and in the end, we had no viable template to show for it.
It was a hard lesson: resources alone don’t guarantee results—focus does. That failure stayed with me, and years later, I approached a similar challenge with a very different mindset.
In 2006, I found myself with a rented SAP system, no team, and no budget. But I had one clear goal: build a prototype that worked. Instead of trying to tackle everything, I focused on the single most important process for any business: paying a customer invoice. That clarity of purpose was a game changer. By working exclusively with standard, out-of-the-box SAP functionality, I avoided the complexities and delays that customisation often brings. Eight hours later, I had a working prototype—a lean, functional system that did exactly what it needed to do, no more, no less.
Looking back, I realise how much that experience mirrors DeepSeek’s success. Both cases required prioritising what matters, rejecting unnecessary complexity, and using constraints as a driver for creativity. For me, it also planted the seed for what would later become the Fast Implementation Track (FIT)—a framework I developed to help others apply these principles in their own projects. FIT isn’t just about delivering faster results; it’s about stripping away distractions and aligning your resources around the core outcomes that truly move the needle.
What can you take away from this? If you’re an executive, think about whether your teams are truly aligned around what matters most, or if they’re chasing too many competing priorities. If you’re a project manager, consider whether complexity is creeping into your scope and slowing you down. For freelancers and consultants, this is a reminder that constraints can be your greatest advantage, helping you focus and deliver impact that larger teams often overlook. And for students or aspiring professionals, this is proof that success doesn’t come from having everything—it comes from making the most of what you’ve got.
When I reflect on the most successful projects I’ve worked on, one stands out as a true turning point. It wasn’t just the results we achieved—it was how we approached the challenge. It was 2001, and I was part of a two-person team tasked with implementing SAP for a new branch in Dubai’s free trading zone. On paper, it should have been impossible: no room for extra resources, a tight budget, and an immovable go-live deadline. Yet, despite the odds, we pulled off the fastest SAP go-live of my career. The secret? A lean team, a clear focus, and a business owner who understood the power of prioritisation.
Before diving into the details of that project, let’s revisit DeepSeek. What made their approach so revolutionary wasn’t just their ability to compete with AI giants like OpenAI—it was their willingness to rethink what’s truly essential. Faced with hardware restrictions and a limited budget, they didn’t waste time trying to do everything. Instead, they identified the core functions that mattered most and poured their energy into perfecting those. This is the same mindset we brought to the Dubai project.
The catalyst for our success was the director, who wore multiple hats as project manager and change manager. His leadership wasn’t about micromanaging—it was about keeping everyone laser-focused on what truly mattered. Rather than getting lost in endless configurations or customisations, we honed in on the core processes that would keep the new branch operational from day one. He understood something that often gets lost in larger projects: bells and whistles can wait. What matters most is getting the core right.
For me, the Dubai project was a revelation. Coming off the failed SAP prototype experience in 1999, I saw firsthand in 2001 how powerful the simplicity mindset could be when applied to a real-world scenario. With just two people, we configured the system, trained users, migrated the data, and delivered a working solution—all in record time. The constraints didn’t slow us down; they forced us to focus and act decisively.
This experience helped crystallise the principles behind what I now call the Fast Implementation Track (FIT). FIT is about more than just speed—it’s about clarity. It’s about identifying the single most critical processes for your organisation and aligning every resource, every action, around delivering those processes. Whether you’re working with a small team or a massive enterprise, the lesson is the same: complexity kills momentum. Focus accelerates it.
Now, let’s turn this back to you. If you’re an executive, ask yourself: are your teams focusing on what matters most, or are they spreading resources too thin across non-essential features? For project managers, consider whether you’re falling into the trap of overengineering your project scope. For freelancers and consultants, take this as a reminder that your value isn’t in doing more—it’s in doing what matters. And for students and aspiring professionals, remember that even with limited resources, you can achieve extraordinary results if you focus on mastering the fundamentals.
The Dubai go-live showed me what’s possible when you strip away distractions and trust the process.
As I think back to the projects that truly defined my approach to SAP, one in particular stands out—not because it was easy, but because it almost collapsed under its own weight. It was a European SAP rollout, a complex undertaking that required merging systems from different regions, including one SAP system and another non-SAP platform. The technical challenge was significant, but that wasn’t what threatened the project. The real issue was the sheer size and complexity of the team.
The consultancy firm leading the rollout had assigned a significant number of resources—managers, consultants, specialists—so many, in fact, that they seemed to be competing against each other to prove their value to the client. Every decision required layers of approval, and every meeting became an exercise in bureaucracy. What should have been a coordinated effort to streamline systems turned into a web of competing priorities. Deadlines began slipping, costs started spiralling, and the client became increasingly frustrated.
Then came the breaking point. The client, facing cash flow issues, proposed scaling back the team. They wanted fewer people, fewer managers, and a leaner approach to finish the rollout. What happened next shocked everyone: the consultancy pulled out entirely. For a moment, it felt as though the project’s foundations had been ripped away. But in the aftermath, something remarkable happened.
With the consultancy gone, the client decided to press on with a drastically reduced team. I was among the few who stayed. Suddenly, the meetings shrank, decision-making accelerated, and priorities became sharper. There was no room for unnecessary complexity—we had to focus on the core processes required to complete the rollout. With 40% of the original team, we delivered the next phase on time, within the new reduced budget, and fully fit for purpose.
Looking back, I see clear parallels to DeepSeek’s story. Like DeepSeek, we thrived under constraints. The consultancy’s departure, while disruptive, became the catalyst for success because it forced us to eliminate waste and focus on what truly mattered. It’s the same principle I’ve seen time and again: small, focused teams can often achieve what larger, more complex groups cannot.
This project reinforced a core tenet of the Fast Implementation Track (FIT): less is more, especially when the “less” removes the noise. By cutting out unnecessary layers, we uncovered a level of efficiency and clarity that the bloated team simply couldn’t achieve. FIT teaches that lean teams, aligned around a clear vision, can drive projects forward faster and more effectively than oversized groups weighed down by competing agendas.
What does this mean for you? If you’re an executive, consider whether your teams are too large to be effective. Are resources being spread thin across competing priorities? For project managers, ask yourself: are you creating processes to help the team succeed, or are they bogged down in unnecessary approvals and complexity? For freelancers and consultants, remember that smaller, focused teams can often outperform larger competitors—lean into that advantage. And for students or early-career professionals, see this as a lesson in focus: it’s not about doing everything; it’s about doing what matters most.
This project also taught me the importance of empowerment. When the SAP implementation partner left, there was no one to micromanage. We were free to make decisions, take ownership, and move forward. For any team, no matter the size, empowerment is key to unlocking potential.
As I reflect on the lessons shared throughout this journey—from DeepSeek’s disruptive innovation to my experiences in SAP implementations—one thing becomes clear: less truly is more, but only when focus and clarity guide the process. Whether you’re building AI models with limited resources or rolling out SAP with tight budgets and small teams, the principles remain the same. Constraints aren’t barriers; they’re opportunities to prioritise, innovate, and thrive.
DeepSeek’s achievement stands as a testament to the power of this approach. By narrowing their focus to the core essentials, they created an AI model that not only competed with but outperformed some of the industry’s most resource-heavy projects. They didn’t aim to do everything—they aimed to do the right things exceptionally well. This philosophy of prioritisation and lean execution is exactly what drove the success of the Fast Implementation Track (FIT), a framework I’ve developed and formalised in my book, Make FIT Your Purpose.
In each of the stories I’ve shared, the same principles emerged:
- Focus drives success.
- In the 1999 SAP project, a lack of focus derailed the initiative despite abundant resources. It taught me that clarity is more important than complexity.
- By contrast, the eight-hour prototype succeeded because I concentrated on one core process: paying a customer invoice. It wasn’t about doing more—it was about doing what mattered.
- Small teams outperform when empowered.
- The Dubai implementation succeeded because of a lean two-person team with a clear goal and a leader who knew how to prioritise. With no room for distractions, we delivered the fastest go-live of my career.
- Cutting complexity unlocks momentum.
- The European rollout taught me that fewer people and leaner processes often lead to faster decisions and better results. When the consultancy pulled out, the project didn’t collapse—it thrived, proving that scaling down can sometimes be the ultimate breakthrough.
These lessons aren’t just confined to SAP or AI—they’re universal. Whether you’re leading a digital transformation, managing a team, working as an independent consultant, or just starting your career, the principles of focus, simplicity, and prioritisation apply everywhere.
What You Can Take Away
For Executives and IT Leaders
Ask yourself: Are your teams too large to be effective? Are resources being spread thin across competing priorities? DeepSeek and the FIT framework demonstrate that leaner, more focused approaches often deliver faster and more sustainable results. Align your teams around a single goal, and you’ll see the impact.
For Project Managers and Team Leads
Focus on clarity. Complexity kills momentum, while simplicity accelerates it. Define the core process that matters most and structure your team around delivering it. Empower your team to make decisions, and you’ll see better results in less time.
For Tech Enthusiasts and Innovators
Innovation thrives under constraints. Whether you’re working on cutting-edge technology or optimising existing processes, focus your creativity on solving the core problem. DeepSeek didn’t win by doing everything—they won by doing the right things exceptionally well.
For Independent Consultants and Freelancers
Small teams and limited budgets aren’t disadvantages—they’re opportunities to shine. Clients value results, not complexity. Use the principles of FIT to position yourself as a lean, high-impact resource who delivers what matters most.
For Students and Aspiring Professionals
Success doesn’t come from having everything; it comes from making the most of what you have. Start small. Master one critical skill or process. Focus on incremental progress, and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.
Why FIT Matters
The Fast Implementation Track isn’t just a methodology—it’s a mindset. It’s about stripping away distractions, aligning resources with core priorities, and using constraints as a springboard for innovation. In Make FIT Your Purpose, I break down these principles into actionable steps, providing a roadmap for anyone looking to achieve remarkable results—whether in SAP, AI, or beyond.
DeepSeek’s story reminds us that the world rewards focus and clarity, not size or complexity. My experiences reinforce that same truth. FIT is the bridge between these ideas—a practical framework for turning constraints into opportunities and delivering extraordinary outcomes.
If you’ve found these lessons valuable, I invite you to take the next step:
- Explore FIT: Visit MakeFitYourPurpose.com to learn more about the Fast Implementation Track and how it can help you achieve your goals.
- Get the Book: Make FIT Your Purpose dives deeper into these principles, providing detailed insights and actionable strategies to help you deliver results faster and more effectively.
- Join the Conversation: What challenges are you facing that could benefit from a “less is more” approach? Share your thoughts, stories, and questions—I’d love to hear from you.