When Mr Ng Mau Wing started as an SAP consultant in 1992, Hong Kong's technology landscape looked very different.
Now serving as Executive and Consulting Director at DynaSys, the only SAP Platinum Partner and United VARs member in Hong Kong, he's witnessed the evolution from R/3 to ECC, and to SAP S/4HANA and Business AI.
"SAP is a very unique skill," Mr Ng explains. "The technology has changed rapidly, and the skill requirements change fast too. There's high demand in this industry but limited supply. "
The Talent Challenge in Hong Kong
Hong Kong's talent pool has been significantly impacted by social and political changes that have led many skilled professionals to migrate to countries like the UK and Canada.
This reality has forced DynaSys to think creatively about recruitment. "Now we recruit a lot of people in Shenzhen in southern China because they're close to Hong Kong and most can speak Cantonese," Mr Ng says. "Most customers in Hong Kong require our consultants to speak Cantonese, not just English or Mandarin."
DynaSys opened a Shenzhen office in October 2010, and now has nearly 50% of its consultants based in southern China. The company has also expanded its recruitment drive to other countries, where many Chinese can speak Cantonese.
A Family Approach to Talent Development
What sets DynaSys apart isn't just where they recruit, but how they develop and retain their people. Ng Mau Wing's approach is deeply personal; everyone calls him "Wing Gor," which translates to "Big Brother Wing" in Cantonese.
"Our new recruits, fresh from university, can come to my office and talk to me about work problems or even personal issues, and ask for my advice," Mr Ng says. "We take care of them. They feel like we work as one big family."
DynaSys provides a clear growth path from associate consultant to consultant, senior consultant, project manager, and eventually director. The company even helps departing employees establish themselves as freelancers.
Mr Ng explains, "Sometimes, at the end of the day, if they want to become freelance consultants, we help them form their own business, give them feedback on their plans and offer projects to them."
While this might seem counterintuitive, Mr Ng sees it as a thoughtful response to Hong Kong's talent crisis. Rather than losing skilled consultants entirely when they want independence, DynaSys maintains relationships with them as trusted freelance partners. "Because of the talent shortage in Hong Kong, it's better to keep them as freelancers working with us than to lose them completely to competitors.", adds Mr Ng.
Focusing on EQ Over IQ
Mr Ng has strong views about what makes a successful consultant in today's market. While technical skills remain important, he believes emotional intelligence is what truly differentiates great consultants.
"For the IQ side, the Intelligence Quotient, you need SAP product knowledge and industry expertise. But the most important part is EQ, Emotional Quotient, also known as Emotional Intelligence." he says. "We train our talent in communication, relationship-building, leadership, facilitation, and conflict management."
This focus stems from a practical observation. "I see a lot of consultants in Hong Kong whose technical skills are ten out of ten, but their communication and presentation skills are only three out of ten. So the customer's perceived value of them is only three out of ten."
The United VARs Academy: Boosting Confidence and Global Mindset
To complement its own training programs, DynaSys also sends selected consultants to the United VARs Academy. This one-week, in-person learning experience for consultants and project managers covers cultural awareness, international project management, and practical collaboration across borders.
You can find out more about the Academy in this blog, How United VARs Helps its Members Win the 'War for Talent'.
DynaSys has sent two consultants to the Academy so far, carefully selecting mature team members who have been with the company for five to six years and hold middle management positions.
"They're committed to our culture, able to communicate in English, and have the ambition to contribute more," Mr Ng says. "They want to become future leaders and managers. We send them to build their network, meet people from around the world, and gain more support."
Building Global Perspectives
The Academy's value extends beyond individual skill development. Participants return with broader perspectives on different management styles and cultural approaches.
Mr Ng explains, "The Academy shows them firsthand how Eastern and Western management styles are totally different. Our consultants see different decision-making processes and how teams collaborate and share responsibilities. The networking opportunities allow them to share experiences with others from different countries, creating professional connections and knowledge exchange, as well as more confidence."
The confidence boost is particularly notable in a culture where speaking up can be challenging. "In Chinese culture, we're taught to be obedient and listen to elders. Even when they have good ideas, they will think, 'whatever the boss says, we just follow.' They don't dare to speak out with suggestions, even when their ideas are excellent, because they respect you and don't want to override your ideas."
Mr Ng has noticed significant changes in the DynaSys consultants after they’ve attended the United VARs Academy. He says, "They become more proactive in identifying potential problems. They're willing to speak out. Their thinking changes. They don't just obey orders; they think about what's good for the customer and will push back when needed."
He recommends the training to his fellow United VARs members, "I definitely recommend sending your talent to the United VARs Academy. It's a smart investment. Consultants come back with more skills, confidence, and motivation, which leads to stronger performance and happier teams.”
Looking Ahead: The Human Advantage in an AI World
Mr Ng believes the skills that matter most in the future will be uniquely human ones. "AI will sooner or later take over all the technical jobs," he predicts. "What types of jobs will remain? Jobs that count on human connection."
He points to SAP as an example: "With public cloud, SAP does most of the configuration and coding for you. You just need to go to the customer site, get the requirements, and provide the functional specifications. But how do you get those specifications? You need to discuss with the customer. That's why EQ is so important. Human connection and effective communication are core skills."
Visit the Academy landing page on the members-only United VARs Hub for details and registration. If you need access, please reach out to Carol Li.
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