Tech-Driven Business

Inside Insights: Industry Trends from a Salesperson Perspective - Nichole Smith

In this episode, I continue my conversation with Nichole Smith, VP of Human Experience Management (HXM) at SAP. In this episode we'll talk about the top industry trends Nichole sees in the IT space and how companies are leveraging these trends. This includes: moving to the cloud, simplifying business, and how companies can be agile, innovative, and be information rich. 
Nichole's diverse background and insights create an engaging conversation on early-adopters vs those who wait.
Connect on LinkedIn:Nichole Smith,Mustansir Saifuddin,Innovative Solution Partners,of find out more about Innovative Solution Partners
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Inside Insights: Perspective of a Salesperson - Nichole Smith

Clients often ask what to look for when purchasing IT products and services from someone. That drove me to my next guest, Nichole Smith, a 3rd generation sales person. Her background includes obtaining SAP Certification in college, working as an IT consultant, and now being VP of Human Experience Management (HXM) at SAP. Since she's played multiple different roles in her career, she can better support clients in successfully buying and implementing SAP solutions.  In this first episode of a 2-part series, Nichole and I will talk about her career in STEM, what clients can expect from a good sales person and how a good sales-client relationship makes clients successful in their IT implementation. She'll also talk about what challenges salespeople face.
She's seen in a lot in her career and is passionate about seeing her clients succeed with whatever solution or product she provides.
Connect on LinkedIn:Nichole Smith,  Mustansir Saifuddin,Innovative Solution Partners,of find out more about Innovative Solution Partners

Inside Insights: TERMS Dashboard with Torsten Welte and Jason Shearer (Part 2)

In this episode, I continue my conversation with Torsten Welte and Jason Shearer about the power of SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) and the TERMS Dashboard for mid-market organizations. We'll dive into further detail about how SAC and the TERMS dashboard allows for all businesses to take advantage of ready to go content, design tools, and analytics without needing a lot of time or dedicated IT personnel
Join the conversation with Jason at his website
Connect on LinkedIn:
Jason Shearer,Torsten Welte,
Mustansir Saifuddin,Innovative Solution Partners,
Learn more about Innovative Solution Partners

Inside Insights: TERMS Dashboard with Torsten Welte and Jason Shearer (Part 1)

In this series of episodes, I talk with Torsten Welte and Jason Shearer about the power of SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) and the TERMS Dashboard for mid-market organizations. Torsten is SAP's Global Head of Aerospace & Defense Industries (A&D). Jason is an evangelist for SAP’s Business Technology Platform. Listen in to learn more about how TERMS Dashboard is helping mid-market companies survive challenges while managing budget and resources.
Join the conversation with Jason at his website
Connect on LinkedIn:
Jason Shearer,Torsten Welte,
Mustansir Saifuddin,Innovative Solution Partners,
Learn more about Innovative Solution Partners

Inside Insights: Iver Van de Zand (Part 2)

In this 2nd episode, I continue my conversation with Iver van de Zand, the Vice President of Product & Solution Management at SAP. We continue where we last left discussing the Data Driven Enterprise.
Iver dives into how SAP is supporting Enterprises moving to the cloud especially with SAP Data Warehouse Cloud (DWC), SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC), and more. SAP's ability to build a bridge between technology and business is creating a seamless solution for its customers.
Find out more about Iver at SAP or his website
Connect on LinkedIn.
Iver van de Zand, 
Mustansir Saifuddin, 
Innovative Solution Partners, or
Learn more about Innovative Solution Partners

Inside Insights: Iver van de Zand (Part 1)

In this series of episodes, I talk with Iver van de Zand, who lives and breathes the power of data and analytics. From using analytics in his hobby of sailing to now being the Vice President of Product & Solution Management at SAP, Iver sees the untapped potential of raw data and knows that people are the key to unlocking its power. Having worked in business intelligence and performance management for over 25 years, Iver wears many hats on top of his day job. He’s a thought leader, analytics evangelist, author, entrepreneur, consultant, and more. In this episode he'll dive into the Data Driven Enterprise, hurdles companies face with the large amount of data we all now keep, the cloud, and what SAP is doing to assist its customers as a Data Superpower.
Find out more about Iver: at SAP or his website.
Connect on LinkedIn:
Iver van de Zand,
Mustansir Saifuddin,
Innovative Solution Partners, or
Learn more about Innovative Solution Partners 
 

Inside Insights: Moving to the Cloud (Part 2)

In this 2nd episode of a 2 part series, I continue my discussion with a CIO that has seen it all, and one of his previous team members who got to do it all. Don Whittington is retired Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Florida Crystals Corporation, a vertically integrated sugar company with headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida. James Kendrick is a consultant with a history of driving strategic clarity, solution delivery, and business performance with retail and industrial products leaders like Estée Lauder Companies, Florida Crystals, Corning and Dow/DuPont. I’ve had the pleasure to work with both of them and know firsthand how Don’s vision as a CIO and James’ ability to make it happen have a profound impact on how any organization can successfully take on IT projects like moving an SAP implementation to the cloud. Join me as we talk about their secrets to success.
A little more background on each of them:Don’s career included many truly innovative initiatives, receiving many awards and accolades over the years. Most notably was his longtime innovation partnerships with SAP, Virtustream and PwC as well as his service on many industry boards and councils, including Chairperson for the SAP Global Agribusiness Advisory Council, SAP HANA Councils, and Virtustream Client Advisory Board.   He has served as a Director of America’s SAP User Group (ASUG) and ASUG representative for SAP’s Global Executive Network (SUGEN).  James’ focus is helping companies take advantage of cloud platforms, data and analytics, digital tools, and agile methods to modernize the core and add competitive advantage at the edge. He has held executive positions at Accenture, A. T. Kearney, Florida Crystals and multiple successful startups. 
Connect on LinkedIn: Don Whittington,
James Kendrick,
Mustansir Saifuddin,
Innovative Solution Partners, Learn more about Innovative Solution Partners

Inside Insights: Moving to the Cloud

In this new 2-part series I facilitate a discussion with a CIO that has seen it all, and one of his previous team members who got to do it all.
Don Whittington is retired Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Florida Crystals Corporation, a vertically integrated sugar company with headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida.
James Kendrick is a consultant with a history of driving strategic clarity, solution delivery, and business performance with retail and industrial products leaders like Estée Lauder Companies, Florida Crystals, Corning and Dow/DuPont.
I’ve had the pleasure to work with both of them and know firsthand how Don’s vision as a CIO and James’ ability to make it happen have a profound impact on how any organization can successfully take on IT projects like moving an SAP implementation to the cloud. Join me as we talk about their secrets to success. 
A little more background on each of them:Don’s career included many truly innovative initiatives, receiving many awards and accolades over the years. Most notably was his longtime innovation partnerships with SAP, Virtustream and PwC as well as his service on many industry boards and councils, including Chairperson for the SAP Global Agribusiness Advisory Council, SAP HANA Councils, and Virtustream Client Advisory Board.   He has served as a Director of America’s SAP User Group (ASUG) and ASUG representative for SAP’s Global Executive Network (SUGEN).  
James’ focus is helping companies take advantage of cloud platforms, data and analytics, digital tools, and agile methods to modernize the core and add competitive advantage at the edge. He has held executive positions at Accenture, A. T. Kearney, Florida Crystals and multiple successful startups.  
Connect on LinkedIn: Don Whittington, James Kendrick,Mustansir Saifuddin,Innovative Solution Partners,Learn more about Innovative Solution Partners

SAC - Customer Stories and Insights

In this 6th and final episode of our series on SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC), Hau Ngo of Summerlin Analytics shares real life customer stories on successes and challenges faced by companies implementing SAC. 
With 20 years of experience, customers often ask Hau for his help in delivering supply chain analytics. 
Connect on LinkedIn: Hau Ngo, Mustansir Saifuddin,Innovative Solution Partners, Learn more about Innovative Solution Partners

SAC - Planning in SAC

In this 5th episode of a 6 part series, Hau Ngo of Summerlin Analytics flips the table and interviews me on how SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) handles financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting. Listen to understand how SAC can help your organization cut down time and improve your planning process.
With 20 years of experience, customers often ask Hau for his help in delivering supply chain analytics. 
Connect on LinkedIn: Hau Ngo,Mustansir Saifuddin, Innovative Solution Partners,Learn more about Innovative Solution Partners