Transformation Every Day

Episode 35: How SAP's Knowledge Graph Makes Business AI Actually Work - Wolfgang Epting

Guest:  * Wolfgang Epting - Black Belt Business Data Cloud - SAP Host:  * Alexander Greb - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutions What does it take to finish 23 Ironmans — and lead one of SAP's most exciting data transformations at the same time? Wolfgang Epting, SAP Black Belt for the Business Data Cloud, joins Alexander Greb on Transformation Every Day to talk about one of the biggest shifts in enterprise technology right now: the road to the Autonomous Enterprise. At this year's Sapphire, SAP laid out a bold vision — AI-powered enterprises that don't just react, but reason, decide, and act. But behind every intelligent agent is a foundation of trustworthy data. And that's exactly where Wolfgang lives and breathes. In this episode, we unpack what the SAP Business AI Platform really means in practice, why the Knowledge Graph is the connective tissue that makes agentic AI actually work, and how SAP's Business Data Cloud evolved from a promising launch into the data backbone of enterprise AI. We also get into why master data governance is no longer optional, what the Walmart AI rollback teaches us about context and data quality, and why the old rule — garbage in, garbage out — is more relevant than ever. And yes, we also talk about what crossing 23 Ironman finish lines teaches you about showing up for transformation, even when it gets hard. If you're navigating your organization's AI journey and wondering where to start — or where things might be going wrong — this one's for you. Follow Wolfgang here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolfgang-epting-60640088/ Also approach Wolfgang if you are interested in his motivational speeches on Iron Man races.  Follow Alexander: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandergreb/ Follow Johannes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanneslangguth/ Thanks to Steven Spears for lending his voice for our podcast intro. Theme music by Luis Álvarez a.k.a. Fourth Dogma

Episode 34: The Autonomous Enterprise - SAPPHIRE 2026 Recap with Jon Reed and Josh Greenbaum

Guests:  * Jon Reed - Chief Analyst - Diginomica * Josh Greenbaum - Principal - Enterprise Application Research Host:  * Alexander Greb - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutions The keynotes are done. The announcements have been made. Now it's time to talk about what Sapphire 2026 actually meant. In this episode, Alexander Greb is joined by two of the most respected independent analysts in the SAP ecosystem — Jon Reed (Diginomica) and Josh Greenbaum (Enterprise Applications Consulting) — for an unfiltered breakdown of everything that happened in Orlando. They get into the Autonomous Enterprise vision and how much of it is actually ready today. They talk about why the partner community is facing its most significant business model shift in a generation — and what the six different types of SAP partners each need to do differently. They cover what the best customers at Sapphire had in common, why your 20 years of SAP experience alone won't carry you through what's coming, and what SAP still needs to get right on APIs, MCP, transparency, and partner advocacy. Plus: the question everyone is asking but nobody wants to answer: what percentage of the Autonomous Enterprise is actually here right now? Jon and Josh give their numbers. And they don't duck it. The episode closes with three things everyone in the SAP ecosystem should act on right now: one to investigate, one to stop worrying about, and one to watch closely over the next six months. If you were at Sapphire, this will sharpen what you saw. If you weren't, this is the briefing you needed. Follow Jon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonerp/ Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuagreenbaum/ Also take a look at: https://diginomica.com/ Follow Alexander: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandergreb/ Follow Johannes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanneslangguth/ Thanks to Steven Spears for lending his voice for our podcast intro. Theme music by Luis Álvarez a.k.a. Fourth Dogma

Episode 33: Is this "Change Management" in the room with us now? - Mark Green

Guest:  *  Mark Green - Founder - Change Rebellion Host:  * Alexander Greb - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutions For years, change management was the first line item cut from the budget. The "filler." The nice-to-have. The thing the project manager could probably handle anyway. Mark Green has spent nearly 30 years proving that wrong — and he's done it without a single traditional framework, upsell tactic, or overpriced PowerPoint deck. In this episode, the founder of Change Rebellion joins me for an honest, no-nonsense conversation about why so many transformations still fail, what the big consultancies got catastrophically wrong, and why the grumpiest person in your next workshop might just be your most important ally. We also get into AI — not the hype, not the hysteria, but what it actually means for the people sitting at the ground floor who've already been asked to change everything three times this decade. And yes. We also talk about LinkedIn. At length. Unapologetically. In this episode: * Why change management was dismissed for decades — and who's responsible * The hidden cost of going live without bringing your people with you * How to handle change fatigue when the next big disruption is already here * What great change leadership actually looks like from the inside * Why being honest with people is still the most underrated tool in the room Follow Mark here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-green-3368744/ Join Change Rebellion: https://changerebellion.com/  Follow Alexander: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandergreb/ Follow Johannes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanneslangguth/ Thanks to Steven Spears for lending his voice for our podcast intro. Theme music by Luis Álvarez a.k.a. Fourth Dogma

Episode 32: SAP S/4HANA Big Bang Without Big Chaos - Javier Ruiz Iza & Bernhard Rother

Guests:  *  Javier Ruiz Iza - Director Digital Finance & Performance Management - Wärtsilä * Bernhard Rother - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutions Host:  * Alexander Greb - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutions In this episode of Transformation Every Day, Alexander Greb talks with Javier Ruiz from Wärtsilä and Bernhard Rother from cbs Corporate Business Solutions about Wärtsilä’s move from a highly customized SAP ECC landscape into SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud using a selective transformation approach. This is not a polished marketing story. It is a very open conversation about the real challenges behind large-scale ERP transformation programs: stakeholder management, expectation overload, clean core discussions, selective data migration, testing strategies, business continuity, and the constant tension between innovation and operational stability. One of the strongest takeaways from this episode is that successful S/4HANA programs are usually not the ones trying to change everything at once. Wärtsilä deliberately focused on getting to S/4HANA fast, keeping the business stable, and postponing non-critical innovation to later value-driven initiatives. Javier shares why “testing, testing, testing” became one of the key success factors of the entire program, how internal trust and organizational credibility shape transformation success, and why clean core should be treated as a design principle rather than a standalone project. Bernhard explains why protecting a program from overload is critical, why organizations need clear transformation guardrails, and why ERP transformation should never be treated as just another IT upgrade. Topics include: *  SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud  *  Big Bang vs phased transformation  *  Selective data transition  *  Clean Core strategy  *  Business continuity during go-live  *  Stakeholder and expectation management  *  AI, analytics, and future innovation  *  Post-go-live operating models  *  Testing and cutover best practices  A practical and refreshingly honest discussion about how to create fast value from SAP transformation without getting lost in transformation. Follow Jaiver here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/javier-ruiz-iza/ Follow Bernhard here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernhard-rother-6a456377/ Follow Alexander: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandergreb/ Follow Johannes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanneslangguth/ Thanks to Steven Spears for lending his voice for our podcast intro. Theme music by Luis Álvarez a.k.a. Fourth Dogma

Episode 31: How to Get Fast Value Instead of Getting Lost in Transformation - Oliver Dorsner

Guest:  *  Oliver Dorsner - Consulting Director / Member of the Executive Board - cbs corporate business solutions Hosts:  * Alexander Greb - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutions Why do so many SAP transformations struggle to deliver fast and real value? In this episode, Alexander Greb speaks with Oliver Dorsner, who has spent more than 25 years leading large-scale transformation programs. Together, they unpack what really happens inside S/4HANA journeys once the initial strategy meets organizational reality. The conversation goes beyond the usual Brownfield versus Greenfield debate and looks at what actually drives success or failure. From the difference between technical migration and real business change, to the role of culture, decision-making, and timing. They discuss why there is no such thing as a pure Greenfield transformation, how companies end up stretching programs far beyond reasonable timelines, and what it means to be “lost in transformation.” Most importantly, they explore how to regain control, refocus on value, and make better decisions when complexity starts to take over. If you are planning an S/4HANA move, already in the middle of one, or wondering why the promised value is not materializing, this episode offers a clear and honest perspective. Follow Oliver: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-dorsner-41b33219/ Follow Alexander: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandergreb/ Follow Johannes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanneslangguth/ Thanks to Steven Spears for lending his voice for our podcast intro. Theme music by Luis Álvarez a.k.a. Fourth Dogma