Strategy Talks

Over the past few weeks, I have had a number of discussions on the subject of communication. I agreed with almost all of them that the need for information and communication has rarely been as high as it is now. We have probably communicated more with each other in the past few months with Zoom, Teams and Webex than ever before. But did we also talk to each other and did we understand each other?

It is becoming increasingly clear that the exchange of information for operational work also works quite well via screens. At the same time, however, many of the people I spoke with assured me that communicating complex content has become more difficult despite the good technical possibilities.

Many SAP partners and SAP itself are naturally heard, but does the existing customer understand their message? A "strategy talk" needs space in the form of a round table as a livestream or a few pages in a magazine or daily newspaper. Deeper content needs a platform that has trust and competence.

It is therefore necessary to distinguish between the necessary and fast news channels, which are indispensable for operational work and reaction, and communication platforms, which serve information and educational work. These communication spaces have obviously been lost. However, many of my interlocutors have called for these spaces.

A conditional contradiction! Almost every community has the need for information exchange and communication. While many communities of interest have established these platforms together with the providers, see automotive industry, mechanical engineering, cosmetics and clothing manufacturers, etc., the IT industry in the professional B2B business largely refrains from providing corresponding resources.

On the one hand, the need for information and educational work is increasing, while on the other hand, marketing expenditure is decreasing in order to build up the resources for the necessary communication platforms. How many different car magazines would there be on the newsstand if the industry did not promote this diversity of opinion with its numerous marketing activities?

A communication platform for conveying complex content also needs corresponding resources. Strategy discussions need a platform on which they can take place in real life. Whether video streaming or print is a matter of taste. Communication is a necessity. For the benefit of the entire SAP community, providing resources for information and education is an imperative. There are the platforms for strategy discussions and education called for by SAP partners and SAP itself.

The communications infrastructure is ready. With the necessary marketing resources, we can also use these structures profitably for ourselves. It is a joint effort for the benefit of the SAP community. The cooperation of each individual is required. I am very happy to be available at any time to continue this discourse.