Transformation Every Day

Alexander Greb & Johannes Langguth

Expert Insights and Stories on SAP and beyond. Transformation Every Day is the podcast for anyone passionate about Digital Transformation done right in the SAP universe. Join hosts Alexander Greb and Johannes Langguth, along with leading experts from SAP and beyond, as they dive deep into what successful digital transformation really takes. Get ready for candid conversations, inspiring experts insights, best practices and practical strategies to drive impactful change in your organization.

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

    APR 28

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

    Guests:   Javier Ruiz Iza - Director Digital Finance & Performance Management - WärtsiläBernhard Rother - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutionsHost:  Alexander Greb - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutionsIn 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

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

    APR 13

    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 solutionsHosts:  Alexander Greb - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutionsWhy 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

    1h 4m
  3. Episode 30: Transformation is a capability, not a project - Rouven Morato

    MAR 30

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

    Guest:   Rouven Morato - President & CRO for SAP Signavio, LeanIX, WalkMe and RISEwithSAP - SAP SEHosts:  Alexander Greb - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutionsFor 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

    1h 21m
  4. Swiss Special - Process First, SAP Second: Die Logistiktransformation der Migros Ostschweiz.

    MAR 11

    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 SchweizWarum Frischelogistik eine völlig andere operative Präzision verlangtWie Migros Ostschweiz ihre Logistik über Jahrzehnte kontinuierlich weiterentwickelt hatWarum in erfolgreichen Transformationen der Prozess vor der Technologie kommtWelche Rolle SAP-Technologie und moderne Logistiksoftware in dieser Entwicklung spielenWie enge Partnerschaften zwischen Business und Technologiepartnern Innovation ermöglichenZentrale 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

    1h 14m
  5. Episode 28: RISE in Record Time: How Current Lighting Pulled Off the “Impossible” S/4HANA Move - Zara Horn & Geoff Scott

    FEB 16

    Episode 28: RISE in Record Time: How Current Lighting Pulled Off the “Impossible” S/4HANA Move - Zara Horn & Geoff Scott

    What happens when a private-equity carve-out meets a heavily customized 20-year ECC system… and leadership decides there is no way back? In this special Transformation Every Day episode, recorded live as an ASUG / cbs Fireside Chat, I’m joined by Zara Horn, CIO of Current Lighting, and Geoff Scott, CEO of ASUG, to unpack one of the most impressive S/4HANA journeys I’ve seen firsthand. Current Lighting didn’t just migrate. They executed a full carve-out and S/4HANA transformation on RISE in record time. Five months!! No 24-month program. No endless blueprint debates. No “we’ll fix it later” customization spiral. Instead: • A radical commitment to clean core • A strict “If it doesn’t make money, we don’t build it” rule • One year of data instead of twenty • Executive alignment from day one • Business transformation, not IT modernization Six months after go-live, the results spoke for themselves: From incremental improvements to multi-million-dollar value creation cycles every quarter. We discuss: – Why legacy customization kills innovation – How to convince the business to embrace fit-to-standard – Why partner culture matters more than technical skills – The real role of change management – Why speed can be a strategic advantage – And what’s next: BTP, public cloud, and continuous transformation This episode is not theory.  It is what happens when leadership aligns, discipline replaces nostalgia, and cloud becomes a business decision — not a technical one. If you are still debating brownfield vs. greenfield, clean core vs. customization, or whether RISE is “worth it,” this conversation will challenge your assumptions. Follow Zara Horn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zarahorn/ Follow Geoff Scott here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-scott-ugs/ 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

    1h 6m
  6. 12/22/2025

    Episode 27: The modern CFO - Christian Straub

    Guest:   Christian Straub - Head of Customer Advisory Finance - SAP Hosts:  Alexander Greb - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutionsJohannes Langguth - Head of Business Transformation and Architecture - SAP SEWhat does it take to be a modern CFO when AI, data, and complexity are reshaping the enterprise? In this episode of Transformation Every Day, Alexander Greb and Johannes Langguth speak with Christian Straub about how the CFO role is fundamentally evolving — from managing numbers to driving measurable business impact. Success today is no longer about closing the books faster, but about generating real outcomes across the value chain. Christian explains why AI is not a “finance topic,” but a business topic that will impact every function — with finance right at the center. The discussion breaks AI’s value for CFOs into three key dimensions: efficiency, better decision-making, and risk mitigation — and why only efficiency is easy to quantify, while the other two often define competitive advantage. The episode also explores why CFOs must embrace technology as a transformation lever, how the finance function is shifting toward true business partnering, and why data governance has become one of the most critical responsibilities for finance leaders. Without clean data, clear ownership, and integrated processes, AI simply amplifies existing problems instead of solving them. You’ll hear practical perspectives on: Why organizational silos block effective, AI-supported decision-makingHow incremental AI use cases can deliver fast, visible returnsWhy stakeholder alignment across business, IT, and leadership is essentialHow finance is becoming increasingly AI-driven and data-centricWhether you’re a CFO, finance leader, transformation professional, or consultant, this conversation offers a realistic and experience-based look at what it takes to lead finance into the future — balancing innovation with control, speed with trust, and ambition with execution. 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

    54 min
  7. 12/08/2025

    Episode 26: Cloud Wars - Bob Evans

    Guest:   Bob Evans - Founder and Host of Cloud WarsHosts:  Alexander Greb - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutionsJohannes Langguth - Head of Business Transformation and Architecture - SAP SEIn this special episode of Transformation Everyday, Alex and Johannes sit down with Bob Evans, the creator of Cloud Wars and one of the most insightful voices in the tech industry. Known for breaking down complex topics with nothing more than a marker and his trademark whiteboard, Bob shares the story behind his unique approach and reflects on a career that started in journalism and evolved into decades inside the world’s largest tech companies. Together, we explore why he chose the name Cloud Wars, how to separate real innovation from industry noise and why today’s CIOs must shift their mindset from internal operations to customer outcomes. Bob also tackles some of the biggest topics shaping the future: the rise of AI, the challenges and opportunities it brings, and the growing importance of collaboration and co-creation in the tech ecosystem. This conversation is filled with sharp insights, humor and the kind of clarity Bob is famous for. From changing customer expectations to the need for more childlike curiosity in business, this episode offers a grounded and refreshing look at where the tech world is heading and what leaders must do to stay ahead. Whether you follow Cloud Wars or you’re new to Bob’s work, this is a must-listen for anyone navigating the next chapter of digital transformation. Follow Bob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobevansit/ 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

    1h 10m
  8. 11/24/2025

    Episode 25: AI Won’t Save You - Jon Reed on the Real Work Behind Transformation

    Guest:   Jon Reed - CoFounder diginomica - Enterprise AnalystHost:  Alexander Greb - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutionsSummary: In this conversation, Jon Reed discusses the role of AI in business transformation, emphasizing that AI should be viewed as an accelerant rather than a standalone solution. He highlights the importance of having a well-structured transformation process and a strong data platform to effectively integrate AI into business operations. Without these foundational elements, simply adding AI will not resolve underlying organizational issues. Takeaways: AI is an accelerant for business transformation.A strong data platform is essential for AI integration.AI cannot fix poorly organized business processes.Customer service should be a priority in transformation.Judicious use of AI can enhance existing processes.AI should complement a well-structured transformation.Businesses need to be organized to compete effectively.AI is not a magic solution for all problems.Transformation requires a holistic approach, not just technology.The success of AI depends on the existing business framework.Follow Jon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonerp/ 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

    1h 42m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Expert Insights and Stories on SAP and beyond. Transformation Every Day is the podcast for anyone passionate about Digital Transformation done right in the SAP universe. Join hosts Alexander Greb and Johannes Langguth, along with leading experts from SAP and beyond, as they dive deep into what successful digital transformation really takes. Get ready for candid conversations, inspiring experts insights, best practices and practical strategies to drive impactful change in your organization.

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