In the 88th episode of Burning Platform, we host Clare Henry of SAP. Nice of her to take time out of a hectic week with last minute prep to provide us a curtain raiser on the Sapphire event next week in Orlando.
Her key points and some of my comments:
- The event theme is “The Future-Proof Imperative”. That certainly resonates given the repeated shocks from COVID, Ukraine crisis, climate change urgency and massive digital transformations that most enterprises have been through in the last few years. It certainly came through in the Business as Unusual book we helped Thomas Saueressig and Peter Maier research and write last year.
- CEO Christian Klein will be joined by CMO Julia White and customers, for Tuesday’s opening keynote. The show floor will play a big part in that session and will feature Farm to Consume scenarios. That should allow SAP to showcase its strong agribusiness, commodity trading, CPG, sustainability, traceability and supply chain credentials.
- Thomas and Juergen Mueller will keynote the innovation keynote Tuesday afternoon. I am especially looking forward to what they will share about their approach to AI throughout the SAP portfolio.
- Scott Russell will keynote Wednesday morning. I look forward to an update on the RISE with S/4HANA initiative. Knowing him, sure it will have wide global coverage.
- Serena Williams will keynote Wednesday afternoon. She is such an accomplished athlete and now an entrepreneur, mother and overall role model.
- Clare promises virtual attendees are in for a “first class experience”. Sounds like the events team has put a lot of thought into digital experiences. They will be competing with the closing celebrations on Wednesday at nearby Universal Studios!
It was also nice of her to ask me to share some of my experiences from previous events. See if you smile at my reminiscing. Of course, I am an amateur compared to folks like Paul Kurchina who can draw on 30 consecutive years of Sapphires. In a side note, I told him I am just a padawan – I will bow to the Jedi Master when I see him😊
Clare has a useful reminder for in-person attendees. Pack some comfortable shoes for walking up and down International Drive and the convention center. Also as someone who lives just 90 minutes away, I would recommend some sunscreen and light wear. The mornings and evenings have been comfortable for May but the afternoon humidity is already stifling.
Finally, I too have a reminder. I am hosting at the ASUG booth on Wednesday 1 pm, a conversation with Peter Maier about the book mentioned above, Business as Unusual.
Hope to see many of you in person! In the meantime, enjoy this session with Clare. Her excitement shines through and should get you psyched for the event.
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