This week I am in SAPPHIRENOW, Frankfurt. SAPPHIRE is the annual ’sales’ conference of SAP. This is the week where they have pitched their message to the market place.

A lot has changed in the last 100 days at SAP. It was 100 days ago today that Bill McDermott and Jim Hagemann Snabe took the reigns from Leo Apotheker. In the language yesterday there was a lot that sounded like it was a political administration. The first 100 days has become a symbol of making change quickly and hitting the ground running.
Even just in the first half day of this conference we can see an energy and enthusiasm about SAP people not least from Co-CEO’s themselves. I think when the new Co-CEO’s were announced there was some skepticism whether this arrangement would work. I think it is working and there seems to be a new direction about the company.
Last night there was a reception for press, bloggers and mentors at a local art gallery. It was at this informal gathering that I heard someone say that ‘SAP has got its MOJO back‘. Craig Cmehil conspired with Jen Roach, Head of Global Communications, to introduce Jim Habemann Snabe to the collected SAP Mentors. He was very engaging and explained how well he and Bill are getting on as a working partnership. It was apparent that not only do they get on well but they are able to work together effectively even with a large time difference between their US and European offices.
Even though at this stage in the conference in Frankfurt there has not been too many announcements, it is clear – at least to me and some of my colleagues – that change has come to SAP, that SAP is continuing to innovate and that SAP has turned an important corner.
I am looking forward to the rest of the conference and more announcements today and tomorrow.


