Sarah Ikhagbode is a business analyst with over four (4) years of amassed experience across a multi-industry; AutoTech, FinTech, Energy and Oil and Gas. She has a track record of delivering ingenious solutions within large corporations and the digital sector.
Sarah’s career growth over the last four years has led to her emergence as a Senior Business Analyst and Scrum Master for Scania; a leading Autotech disruptive company in the United Kingdom leveraging digital technology; software development, Robotics, innovation, and process automation to change the autonomous and electrified transport options within the market.
In this interview, Sarah Ikhagbode discusses her career growth, and experience as a Scrum Master.
TE: What Inspired You to be a Business Analyst?
Sarah Ikhagbode: The desire to improve a business’s processes and value to its customers is one of my main inspirations to become a business analyst. The desire to ensure that solutions whether utilizing digital technology by means of software development or process automation is tailored to the specific needs of the end users is inspiring. It’s exciting to be a part of improving businesses with valuable solutions
TE: What were your difficult Transition Moments?
Sarah Ikhagbode: Transiting into the digital technology space did not come easy. While I did study my postgraduate studies in Business Analytics, I soon quickly discovered that I needed to be up and above to stand out in a dynamic, yet competitively focused male sector.
This challenge made me take on more courses and responsibilities which obviously has now paid off and still paying off today with various projects I have led.
TE: What are the unique things about being a Business Analyst?
Sarah Ikhagbode: Problem-solving is at the heart of what effective business analysts do. As a business analyst this is one skill that is unique to me because analysis is about thinking outside the box. It involves a mix of creativity, critical reasoning, and analytical skills. It is identifying the root cause of an issue and not just a symptom as well as the next steps to resolve it.
Sometimes the solution to a problem is obvious. Many times, however, it is not. As a business analyst, I am able to question assumptions and examine an issue from a variety of perspectives which might be overlooked by the business and come up with more creative solutions.
TE: What are the impacts you have made on people you’ve worked with directly?
Sarah Ikhagbode: Most business analyst find it hard to measure their impact within an organisation. For me, I have been able to quickly leverage on my experience and network to support other emerging young professionals successfully transition into the Digital technology sector. Aside from that, in my workplace, I have led projects in excess of over 5million GBP and delivered on various cost savings too.
TE: What is your general outlook about the Autotech and Fintech space in Africa and the UK?
Sarah Ikhagbode: As the Autotech and Fintech space continues thriving across the United Kingdom and other emerging market.
I would envisage more integrations of embedded financing opportunities into the Autotech space to drive inclusion for many more individuals and homes. In June 2023, the Uk recorded over 177,000 new car registrations indicating a whopping 25.8% Year on Year increase.
The roll out of machine learning and Artificial intelligence would also be accelerated across the Autotech sector.
In addition, through innovative fintech approach, there would also be more adoptions of Electric vehicles in 2024 across the United Kingdom through more adaptive and flexible financing schemes.
TE: What is your advice for young emerging professionals entering the Digital Technology space?
Sarah Ikhagbode: I would say, find your passion and stick to it. In a fast-paced sector, a lot of people tend to give up even before they get started. As young professionals, we must understand the process of growth and do everything within our ability to sharpen our skill continuously to grow and deliver excellent products to the market.
Products that are solving needs and problems across our society rather than just a want. This is the only way we can contribute to nation building across the United Kingdom or Africa.
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