Transformation Every Day

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

Episode 30: Transformation is a capability, not a project - Rouven Morato

Guest:  *  Rouven Morato - President & CRO for SAP Signavio, LeanIX, WalkMe and RISEwithSAP - SAP SE Hosts:  * Alexander Greb - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutions For the launch episode of Season 2 of Transformation Every Day, Alexander Greb welcomes Rouven Morato for a conversation that goes far beyond standard transformation talk. Rouven is currently in transition and brings a rare end-to-end perspective shaped by a remarkable SAP career: from finance to data and analytics, from go-to-market to business transformation leadership. He was the youngest CFO at SAP and later played a key role in shaping major parts of SAP’s transformation story, including SAP Signavio, LeanIX, WalkMe, and RISE with SAP. In this episode, Rouven shares how his journey through different functions gave him a uniquely holistic view of how companies really work, and why real transformation is never just about technology. Together, Alex and Rouven discuss why so many transformation programs struggle, why strong foundations matter more than shiny tools, and why process, systems, data, and people always have to be considered together. The conversation also offers fascinating behind-the-scenes storytelling from inside SAP: from the early days of cloud acquisitions and cultural integration challenges, to the rise of SAP’s own internal transformation efforts, the invention of the digital boardroom, and the strategic thinking that ultimately led to business transformation management becoming a central capability. A major focus of the episode is the idea that transformation should not be treated as a one-off project, but as an organizational muscle that needs to be built and trained over time. Rouven explains why companies that develop this capability are in a far stronger position to absorb innovation, move faster, and create real business value. And of course, the conversation goes deep into AI. Not from a hype angle, but from the perspective of someone who is actively studying, testing, and evaluating what AI will really mean for enterprise software, business models, leadership, and society. Rouven shares why he believes AI is different from previous technology waves, where he sees the real impact emerging, why many companies will struggle to benefit from it, and what kind of operating model will separate winners from laggards. This is a thoughtful, candid, and highly relevant episode for anyone interested in SAP, enterprise transformation, leadership, and the future of technology. Listen in for deep insights, sharp perspectives, and a lot of compelling storytelling about how some of the most important transformation moves inside SAP actually came together. Follow Rouven here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rouven-morato-06264743/ Also visit: https://www.foreyou.golf/ 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

Swiss Special - Process First, SAP Second: Die Logistiktransformation der Migros Ostschweiz.

Swiss Special: Migros-Logistik, SAP und die Kunst der Frische mit Daniel Balmer (Migros Ostschweiz) und Christiaan Carstens (leogistics) Diese Episode von Transformation Every Day ist eine kleine Besonderheit. Normalerweise erscheint der Podcast auf Englisch – heute sprechen wir Deutsch. Der Anlass: eine Swiss Special Edition über eine der spannendsten Logistiktransformationen im europäischen Retail. Gemeinsam mit Daniel Balmer, verantwortlich für die Palettenlogistik bei Migros Ostschweiz, und Christiaan Carstens, Geschäftsführer von leogistics, sprechen wir über die Realität operativer Logistik in einem Umfeld, das anspruchsvoller kaum sein könnte. Migros Ostschweiz versorgt Filialen von den Tälern bis in alpine Regionen – teilweise mehrmals täglich, mit einem Sortiment von bis zu 30.000 Artikeln, darunter ein hoher Anteil an Frische- und Ultrafrischeprodukten. Wenn hier etwas schiefgeht, steht nicht einfach eine Maschine still – dann fehlt das Brot im Regal. In diesem Gespräch geht es darum, wie Prozessdenken, Technologie und Partnerschaft zusammenkommen, um eine Logistik zu ermöglichen, die präzise, flexibel und gleichzeitig extrem robust ist. Ein Gespräch über Transformation in der Praxis, weit weg von Buzzwords – und sehr nah an der operativen Realität. Wichtige Themen dieser Episode * Die besonderen Herausforderungen der Retail-Logistik in der Schweiz * Warum Frischelogistik eine völlig andere operative Präzision verlangt * Wie Migros Ostschweiz ihre Logistik über Jahrzehnte kontinuierlich weiterentwickelt hat * Warum in erfolgreichen Transformationen der Prozess vor der Technologie kommt * Welche Rolle SAP-Technologie und moderne Logistiksoftware in dieser Entwicklung spielen * Wie enge Partnerschaften zwischen Business und Technologiepartnern Innovation ermöglichen Zentrale Takeaways aus dem Gespräch * Das Wetter beeinflusst Logistik stärker als viele denken. In alpinen Regionen wird es zu einem echten Planungsfaktor. * Anpassungsfähigkeit ist entscheidend. Erfolgreiche Logistikorganisationen reagieren schnell auf Veränderungen im Tagesgeschäft. * Langjährige Beziehungen zu Lieferanten sind ein echter Wettbewerbsvorteil. Vertrauen und Zusammenarbeit erhöhen die Stabilität der Lieferketten. * Technologie ersetzt keine Prozesse – sie unterstützt sie. Gute Systeme verstärken menschliche Entscheidungen, statt sie zu verdrängen. * Transformation ist kein einmaliges Projekt. In der Logistik ist sie ein kontinuierlicher Prozess. * Partnerschaften zwischen Unternehmen treiben Innovation. Die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Migros und leogistics ist ein gutes Beispiel dafür. * Kundenbedürfnisse bestimmen die Logistik. Am Ende zählt nur eine Frage: Liegt das Produkt rechtzeitig im Regal? * Die Branche muss sich ständig an verändertes Konsumentenverhalten anpassen. Sortiment, Frequenz und Geschwindigkeit steigen. * Automatisierung kann enorme Effizienzgewinne bringen – wenn sie richtig integriert wird. * Qualität und Frische bleiben der Kern der Retail-Logistik. Alles andere ordnet sich diesem Ziel unter. Links * Daniel Balmer auf LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-balmer-0b7b2b1b8/ * Christiaan Carstens auf LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiaan-carstens-611a40a9/ 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