SAP Experts

Latest Episodes:

Episode 115: Bringing and retaining the right talent aboard “the organizational bus” – Frank Sofia Jun 27, 2022

Show notes

Guest: Frank Sofia – Head of Americas Executive Talent Attraction, SAP

Host: Akshi Mohla – Business Development Director, SAP Global Industry & Value Advisory

In his book, Good to Great, Jim Collins emphasized the importance of “who” over “what” – by stating that “those who build great organizations make sure they have the right people on the bus and the right people in the key seats before they figure out where to drive the bus”.

But in today’s rapidly evolving corporate culture, underscored by gig economy, great resignation, hybrid workplaces, how do organizations go about navigating the selective talent pool, in order to bring the right people to the right seats?

To shed a light on this very topic, I am joined by Frank Sofia. He is the Head of Executive Talent Attraction for the Americas, across all markets and lines of business. Prior to his current role, Frank served as the VP of Strategic Workforce Planning for North America Sales.

Throughout his 16-year career at SAP Frank has challenged himself to take on new opportunities across HR functions to gain deep expertise in HR Strategy, Workforce planning, Recruiting, Change management and Organizational development. He is incredibly passionate about HR transformation and enabling others to achieve their goals.

Frank holds a Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from West Chester University and a BA in Psychology from Temple University.

As always, my name is Akshi Mohla and you’re listening to SAP Experts Podcast. Please be sure to like, share and subscribe!

Show notes:

Follow Frank:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-sofia-jr-4899594/

Follow Akshi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshimohla/
Polywork: https://www.polywork.com/akshi

Please like, share and subscribe!
Give us feedback or provide us your questions at akshi.mohla@sap.com.

Episode 114: Big Tech Trends in a Turbulent World – Dr. Martin Kotula Jun 13, 2022

Show notes

Guest: Dr. Martin Kotula – Global Vice President – Value Content & Thought Leadership – Industry & Value Advisory

Host: Jonathan Fogarty – Industry Advisor – Utilities – ANZ

Hello and welcome to the SAP Experts Podcast, my name is Jonathan Fogarty and it is an absolute privilege to be hosting another episode of SAP Experts.

My guest today is Dr. Martin Kotula: Global Vice President of Value Content & Thought Leadership for the Global Industry and Value Advisory team @ SAP

Martin is going to take us through some of the bigger trends in technology and how enterprises will be impacted in the near, medium and long term by these trends. It’s a complex and rapidly changing world at the moment and for the CIO they have never been challenged with the velocity and size of change that is facing them today.

You’re listening to SAP Experts Podcast.

Show notes:

Follow Martin:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-martin-kotula/

Follow Jonathan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanfogarty/

Please like, share and subscribe!
Give us feedback or provide us your questions at akshi.mohla@sap.com.

Episode 113: The challenges ahead for utilities companies & how SAP is responding – Markus Bechmann Jun 01, 2022

Show notes

Guest: Markus Bechmann: Global VP -Innovation and New Business Models for the Utilities industry at SAP

Host: Jonathan Fogarty – Industry Advisor – Utilities – ANZ

Hello and welcome to the SAP Experts Podcast, my name is Jonathan Fogarty and I am absolutely delighted to be hosting another episode!

Today we are going to talk about the pressure on Utilities companies to respond to an incredible list of challenges that are being thrown at them. From de-carbonisation and the increased demand for green energy, to how they maintain and modernise their massive infrastructure networks all with the backdrop of increasing turbulence in Europe, and maybe just as importantly, how SAP is developing their strategy to support this Industry.

Joining me to help make sense of it all is Markus Bechmann: Global VP -Innovation and New Business Models for the Utilities industry at SAP.

You’re listening to SAP Experts Podcast.

Show notes:

Reference Article:
International Utilities Conference: https://tacinsights.eventsair.com/international-sap-conference-for-utilities-2022/

Follow Markus:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markus-bechmann/

Follow Jonathan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanfogarty/

Please like, share and subscribe!
Give us feedback or provide us your questions at akshi.mohla@sap.com.

Episode 112: SAP Communities Panel Discussion – ASUG, SIG & SAP Intelligent Spend Community May 30, 2022

Show notes

Guests:

Achim Voermanek – Global Vice President, SAP Intelligent Spend Community Strategy
Dawn Tiura – CEO & President, SIG
Geoff Scott – CEO & Chief Community Champion, ASUG

Host: Akshi Mohla – Business Development Director, SAP Global Industry & Value Advisory

While pursuing your digital transformation, strategizing and prioritizing your next steps in order to cross the innovation chasm is a daunting task. However, you are not alone on your transformation journey…

SAP user groups and communities are here to enable SAP and SAP users, as well as partners to form strategic partnerships, exchange best practices and share experiences, while providing technical and functional feedback to SAP.

Which is why, today’s podcast features a panel of three distinguished leaders of SAP user communities. We have Achim Voermanek, the Global Vice President of SAP Intelligent Spend Community Strategy; Dawn Tiura, the CEO and President of Sourcing Industry Group (SIG) and Geoff Scott, the CEO and Chief Community Champion at Americas’ SAP Users’ Group (ASUG).

We will talk about the role of communities, the value they bring to their members, how they ensure engagement in a hybrid world, and so much more!

As always, my name Akshi Mohla, and you’re listening to SAP Experts Podcast. And since, today’s episode is all about community, don’t forget to subscribe and be a part of the SAP Experts Podcast community.

Show notes:

Learn more about SAP Customer Engagement: https://www.sap.com/about/customer-involvement.html
Learn more about ASUG: https://www.asug.com/
Learn more about SIG: https://sig.org/

Achim Voermanek is a Global Vice President in SAP’s Procurement Product Strategy. He is responsible for regional and global aspects of that strategy, and for customer engagements during the innovation lifecycle. He has worked in various leadership roles in Germany and the USA at SAP, SAP Ariba and other companies in the B2B market, and lives in San Francisco with his family.
Follow Achim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/voermanek/

Dawn Tiura is the President and CEO of Sourcing Industry Group (SIG), the world’s premier membership association representing Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies with a combined spend of $17 trillion USD in sourcing and outsourcing. Dawn has a passion to improve sustainability in global supply chains, she helps organizations to meet the 17 Sustainable Development Goals as part of SIG’s UN Alliance and is an ambassador to the Sustainable Procurement Pledge.
Follow Dawn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawntiura/

As CEO of ASUG, Geoff Scott believes that the connections we make for our members have the potential to become career-defining relationships that inspire innovation and success for their organizations. His forward-thinking leadership prioritizes helping ASUG members make the most of their investment in SAP technologies. Geoff works closely with customers, members, the SAP Executive Board, and the extensive partner ecosystem to amplify the voice of the SAP customer. Additionally, he enjoys the time he’s able to spend with our members at ASUG conferences, events, as well as in informal meetings.
Follow Geoff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-scott-ugs/

Follow Akshi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshimohla/
Polywork: https://www.polywork.com/akshi

Please like, share and subscribe!
Give us feedback or provide us your questions at akshi.mohla@sap.com.

Episode 111: Reunion Episode: Role of partners in successful Digital Transformations – Alexander Greb May 23, 2022

Show notes

Guest: Alexander Greb – Vice President – Digital Transformation Consulting, Westernacher Consulting
Host: Akshi Mohla – Business Development Director, SAP Global Industry & Value Advisory

On August 21, 2019, Alexander Greb launched the very first episode of SAP Experts Podcast. And today marks the episode 111 of the podcast. We had to bring the original founder back for this special number episode!

Today, Alexander will share what it was like to launch a technology podcast, with a relatable, coffee-chat format back when it was still something niche in the SaaS world. We also discuss the three-legged-stool that SAP, our partners and our customers form while crossing the transformation chasm.

As Customer Advisory Lead and renowned Tech Evangelist, Alexander has collected vast experience in customer centric strategy implementation, processes, and technology at SAP and several leading business consulting companies for the past two decades. Having implemented digital transformation programs with strategic customers from the shop floor up to C-Level has helped him to gain in-depth knowledge of Best Practices that help customers gain “the unfair competitive advantage”.

Being the author of several publications in Digitalist Magazine and Forbes as well as keynote speaker at global conferences and events such as SAPPHIRE, have made him a sought after Thought Leader and Trusted Advisor for many of SAP’s customers. At Westernacher Consulting he is responsible for sharpening Westernacher’s profile as value-driven “To-Go SAP-Consulting and Implementation Partner” for customers that are not satisfied by approaching their Digitalization Initiative as a Lean Migration but want to put the horsepower of Digitalization and SAPs next-gen ERP fully to the street to become Digital Champions.

As always, my name Akshi Mohla, and you’re listening to SAP Experts Podcast.

Show notes:

Follow Alexander:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandergreb/

Follow Akshi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshimohla/

Polywork: https://www.polywork.com/akshi

Please like, share and subscribe!

Give us feedback or provide us your questions at akshi.mohla@sap.com

Episode 110: Drive supply chain resiliency with SAP Business Network – Tony Harris May 09, 2022

Show notes

Guest: Tony Harris – SVP & Head of Marketing & Solutions, SAP Business Network
Host: Akshi Mohla – Business Development Director, SAP Global Industry & Value Advisory

In a constantly changing world – which is simultaneously afflicted by a global pandemic and geopolitical uncertainties – supply chain resiliency becomes indispensable. The urgency for a diversified supplier base and increased automation is further underscored by exponentially shifting consumer demands.

How can a one-stop-shop, integrated business network help alleviate these challenges, while also digitizing procurement workflows and connecting all your trading partners and suppliers, in a flexible and scalable manner?

Which is why, today, I am joined by Tony Harris, the Senior Vice President and & Head of Marketing & Solutions at SAP Business Network.

With over 25 years of experience across both Finance and IT, Tony has spent the last 15 years focused on the Procurement solutions sector and is currently Head of Market Strategy for SAP Business Network.

In this role, he leads solution management and marketing teams that form a bridge between SAP solutions and its customers. The team captures market trends, customer challenges, and insights from the field teams to create an outside-in view of the market that helps to drive innovation within SAP Business Network.

As always, my name Akshi Mohla, and you’re listening to SAP Experts Podcast.

Show notes:

Follow Tony:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyharris1/

Follow Akshi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshimohla/
Polywork: https://www.polywork.com/akshi

Please like, share and subscribe!
Give us feedback or provide us your questions at akshi.mohla@sap.com.

Episode 109: The future of customer engagements – Ana-Maria Manda May 02, 2022

Show notes

Guest: Ana-Maria Manda – Global Digital Experience Hub Lead, SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP)
Host: Akshi Mohla – Business Development Director, SAP Global Industry & Value Advisory

What does the future of customer engagements look like? Customers today, more than ever, expect sales ready experiences. They form a perception of your brand, before even interacting in person. So, in a such a world, how do brands differentiate themselves and tell their story? How do they create an interactive digital and virtual experience, that is simultaneously relatable to their customers?

To answer these questions, I am joined by the dynamic Ana-Maria Manda. Ana-Maria is SAP’s Global Business Technology Platform Digital Experience Hub Lead. Originally from Romania, she is now based in Switzerland and joined the SAP family in 2020.

With an educational background in Law, she has a broad expertise in sales and digital transformation. In her role as a Digital Hub Lead, she is responsible for global and regional initiatives focused on creation and consumption of new digital assets for more engaging and impactful customer interactions.

In addition to her Digital Hub Lead role Ana-Maria is a founder and a start-up mentor.

As always, my name Akshi Mohla, and you’re listening to SAP Experts Podcast.

Show notes:

Follow Ana-Maria:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-maria-manda/

Follow Akshi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshimohla/
Polywork: https://www.polywork.com/akshi

Please like, share and subscribe!
Give us feedback or provide us your questions at akshi.mohla@sap.com.

Episode 108: How IDEI unlocked Sustainability and Agility with SAP – Jorge Martinez Apr 11, 2022

Show notes

Guest: Jorge Martinez – Vice President of Operations, Internacional de Inversiones SA de CV (IDEI)
Host: Akshi Mohla – Business Development Director, SAP Global Industry & Value Advisory

Internacional de Inversiones SA de CV (IDEI) is an innovative real-estate developer known for creating some of the most iconic buildings in Mexico. This includes the the Torre KOI skyscraper which is one of Mexico’s largest buildings. To continue to offer best-in-class solutions and enable efficient vendor processes, they chose SAP S/4HANA as their digital transformation solution.

How did IDEI digitize their operations to aid business continuity and agile decision making with SAP? Furthermore, how did they unlock 60% reduction in paper use, while simultaneously achieving revenue growth via dynamic pricing models. And why did the choose to partner with SAP?

My guest today, Jorge Martinez, the Vice President of Operations at IDEI, is joining us to answer the above and so much more! As always, my name Akshi Mohla, and you’re listening to SAP Experts Podcast.

Show notes:

Learn more about IDEI’s digital transformation:
Business Transformation Story: https://www.sap.com/about/customer-stories/s4hana-customer-finder.html?sort=title_asc&search=IDEI&pdf-asset=e84ebb22-f97d-0010-bca6-c68f7e60039b&page=1

Follow IDEI:
Website: https://idei.com.mx/

Follow Akshi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshimohla/
Polywork: https://www.polywork.com/akshi

Please like, share and subscribe!
Give us feedback or provide us your questions at akshi.mohla@sap.com.

Episode 107: How Knorr-Bremse Unlocked Value with SAP S/4HANA – Michael Hilzinger Apr 04, 2022

Show notes

Guest: Michael Hilzinger – CIO, Knorr-Bremse
Host: Timo Deiner – Director, Cloud Transformation and Architecture

“SAP S/4HANA is the biggest transformation project in our 110 years company history” – a quote that describes the significance of the change in the company of my today’s guest.

Michael Hilzinger joined me and gave insights on his approach to transform to SAP S/4 HANA. Michael is CIO at the German manufacturer Knorr-Bremse. 110 years ago, they drastically improved the safety of trains by providing brakes and removing the so called “brake vans”, a manually operated braking system.

We spoke about the analogy from back then with a modern SAP S/4HANA system, the role and factors of change management in such a huge transformation and why it’s helpful to improve incrementally instead of a big bang move.

So, if you are interested in firsthand customer insights and perspectives, this episode is made for you. Grab your coffee and tune in.

My name is Timo Deiner, welcome to the SAP Experts Podcast.

Show notes:

Follow Michael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-hilzinger-2b62812/
Follow Timo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timo-deiner/

Please like, share and subscribe!
Give us feedback or provide us your questions at akshi.mohla@sap.com.

Episode 106: Art of Storytelling & Value Selling – Eric Carino Mar 30, 2022

Show notes

Guest: Eric Carino – Chief Storyteller, SAP Executive Advisory & Architecture.

Host: Akshi Mohla – Business Development Director, SAP Global Industry & Value Advisory

From our very first memories, stories surround us, inspire us and enthrall us. The stories that we hear and the stories that we tell, define us. But can storytelling be a tool in Value Selling, packaging the customer’s desired goals, the art of the possible, and the value of digital transformation – all with a neat little bow?

To answer this, I am joined by Eric Carinp, the Chief Storyteller at SAP Executive Advisory & Architecture.

In his 18 years at SAP, Eric has been a strategic leader supporting sales pursuits across every Industry. During this time, he has seen the evolution of business and the demands for reinvention that companies are facing today.

As Chief Storyteller, Film Producer, and Director – Eric’s focus is helping others create the most compelling story possible while showing you how to deliver stories that make a difference. Some of his most recent projects include Levi Strauss, Disney, Amgen, Warner Media, T-Mobile, Zoom, Starbucks and U.S. Department of Defense to name a few.

This past month Eric was a featured speaker at 2022 NA Customer Success Summit and has also shared his methods with Global teams, including HXM and Concur Sales, Presales and Solution Architects.

Outside of SAP, Eric was recently an invited guest speaker at BYU University Law School and just concluded an interview for a national podcast: “Storytelling for Executives”.

As always, my name Akshi Mohla, and you’re listening to SAP Experts Podcast.