R3Now.com – ERP, SAP, and IT Solutions for IT Decision Makers

In Support of Strategy

What’s with all the “strategy bashing” of late? How could sound strategic planning possibly be a bad thing? Things have spun so far out of control that I recently had a CEO ask: “Is strategy still relevant in today’s business world, and if so, what role does strategy play in the overall make-up of a CEO’s duties and responsibilities? Let me begin by stating that strategy has never been more relevant than it is today. With all of the current emphasis on tactical execution I guess I understand how...

SAP CEO Leo Apotheker’s Departure – What is SAP’s Future?

Even though the timing of Apotheker's departure is a little unusual I can not say I am surprised by it.  If I look over the landscape of a CEO's job responsibilities (sales, strategy, etc.) and compare that to Leo's short tenure I don't see any direction coming from the top.  Leo Apotheker came in at a difficult time, but even in the midst of a global economic downturn it is still possible to succeed. Setting aside some of SAP's maintenance fee mis-steps there just hasn't been a compelling fo...

Business Strategy and IT Strategy to Reproduce Apple Innovation

I recently read a Fortune Magazine article extolling the virtues, or more the impact, of Apple's Steve Jobs on business.  Certainly under Steve Jobs’ guidance Apple has come to represent the best of business innovation for several reasons:  Jobs built Apple as an innovative company After he left Apple the company nearly collapsed He returned and turned the company around from the brink of collapse Jobs at Apple, through his innovative guidance, has transformed three primary...