From Chaos to Code: Lessons from My IT Lead Journey

When I was an IT Lead at a fast-growing retail company, we relied on SAP as our ERP and a POS system—neither fully set up. Stock control, asset management, and sales reporting lagged, especially for store managers and finance teams. I led the largest region during aggressive store and staff expansion, but our software couldn’t keep pace. Problems piled up, and thousands of Excel sheets didn’t satisfy stakeholders.

At HQ, four CIOs came and went, stuck in meetings, ignoring our region’s needs. So, I took matters into my own hands. In my spare time, I built a .NET & SQL app—starting with basic forms, delivering weekly updates, and later monthly ones with advanced features. For nearly four years, I filled the gaps. After I left, my software lived on, supporting operations till the ERP stabilized and replaced it. Management didn’t spotlight it, but without it, basics would’ve struggled.

This taught me two lessons. First, even the best ERP fails if you don’t use it right—leaving your team stuck in Excel chaos. Second, years later, the last CIO—a wise and decent man—invited me back. I thought they were offering me a part-time gig to develop the app, but they asked for the source code and changes. Surprised, I declined, a choice I regret. I’d now help them grow, knowing my code could boost a stronger business. These lessons in resilience and generosity stick with me today.