Nip It in the Bud

The topic of diversification is more complex than it seems at first. It is important to distinguish between internal self-image, personal insight, social demands, and political correctness or conformity. SAP CEO Christian Klein is in a difficult position. He must satisfy many—probably too many—stakeholders. He is between a rock and a hard place!

This issue is visible even in mainstream media. A German presenter, Oliver Welke, impersonated a fake press spokesperson at SAP headquarters during a bit on the German “Heute Show” (Today Show), a satirical news segment. This proves the topic of diversity at global corporations is relevant to society.

Friends of mine who had never been interested in my job or writing before approached me about SAP, diversity, and the women's quota. SAP's submission to the US administration and President Trump's worldview has sparked a wide-ranging social discourse. What now?

Respecting the social expectations of a country is an act of courtesy. A conflict arises when these guidelines and recommendations contradict a company's own values. At the SAP Annual General Meeting 2025, Christian Klein skillfully and diplomatically argued this point: the withdrawal of a binding quota for women on the executive and supervisory boards, as well as the elimination of certain diversity targets, says nothing about a company's attitudes and actions.

The words of the SAP CEO could also be interpreted as follows: the absence of stated diversity targets suggests that SAP executives are no longer committed to diversity. Yet the question remains, what kind of social and moral standards are these if SAP applies them but does not publicly acknowledge them?

This creates a gray area familiar to many interest groups. Shareholders are concerned about the success of the business, which, at SAP, is largely based in the US. Employees are concerned about their self-image in relation to their employer. The public participates in the discourse between the U.S. government, the SAP Executive Board, employees, customers, partners, and the press.

In this case it would do well to “nip it in the bud” before the situation escalates. SAP CEO Christian Klein is committed to business success for the benefit of his employees, customers, partners, and shareholders.

SAP has once again communicated very clumsily on the issue of diversity! Out of respect for the US administration and Donald Trump, SAP could have put the diversity targets on hold. However, out of respect for its global employees, SAP could have formulated adapted targets and not thrown the baby out with the bathwater.