Is everything clear?

The past months have been a turning point in our business; but equally in lots of industry sectors, and even in the whole economy. At SAP we talk about a New Reality, rather than about a crisis. It is clear in the mean time that not every company or industry is in crisis. But on the other hand it is also clear that there is a “new reality” for each and every business. A “new reality” characterized by economic volatility, instability and changes. A volatility that brings new risks, uncertainty … but equally new opportunities and possibilities. New in this reality is also the growing pressure for accountability and complexity. Accountability is related to the growing demand of stakeholders to proof that the company operates in the best interest of the global community. Sustainability, green economy, corporate social responsibility … are the more often used terms when it comes to accountability. Complexity on the other hand has to do with operating in the interconnected global world. The Suprime crisis has proven that nobody is immune for what happens at the other end of the world: the interconnected economy (the flat world) spreads its effects and influences at incredible speed over the globe.  To be able to recognize these new dimensions, to see opportunity and deal with uncertainties and risks, and to make the right decisions within this new reality, enterprises need to see the whole picture. The best antidote to weather today’s economic storms is CLARITY. Because once you know more, see more, you can effectively do more. In this new reality it is not about cost cutting, at least not about cost cutting alone. It is rather about “thinking clearly”; how to (re?) focus business strategies and answer questions like who are the customers I want to serve? What is my strategy? Which markets I want to be in? Next to thinking clearly, “seeing clearly” (transparency while operating in today’s complex global world) and “act clearly” (demonstrating accountability) are component of the clear company. The best run companies need clarity today. SAP wants to enable clarity. SAP wants to enable its customers to become a clear enterprises. Enterprises that see clear in the whole value chain, from one end to the other. Enabling clarity comes according to SAP down to 3 things

• Make businesses and business networks transparent, accountable and sustainable. SAP can cover all business processes and help to achieve clarity. Just think about Business Suite 7.0 and GRC as the cornerstones for making businesses transparent and accountable.
• Secondly, agile & lean. On top of efficient operations, enterprises need flexibility and ability to innovate. To operate accurate while having the ability to change fast if necessary, is what the Business Process Platform and the Enterprise SOA of SAP bring as an answer to the table.
• And last, collaboration and customer centricity. Clarity beyond the own business, into the complete business network is what is needed. As well for Enterprise operating in the Financial service industry dealing with complex financial products (clarity in the products), as for manufacturing companies which outsource part of their activities off-shore in the Far East (clarity in the social and environmental dimension of the operations). Clarity also in the relationship with the customer.

Companies can rely on SAP to enable clarity. Stay tuned; SAP will communicate much more on this topic in the near future. I hope the message is clear.