FIVE MINUTES WITH JANET WOOD - SAP HEAD OF GLOBAL STRATEGIC SERVICE PARTNERS

by Angela Schuller

What projects are you currently working on that you are excited about?
Janet: Certainly being a part of SAP’s Global Diversity Committee and the work we’re doing under the three pillars of Generational Talent, Women in Leadership and Cultural & Visible Diversity is very exciting and energizing. We have big, big plans within SAP and my role on the Committee as the GCO Representative is to make sure our organization has a plan to move those three needles. What’s exciting is the potential impact we can have regionally and globally.
Diversity is something about which I’ve been passionate throughout my career. The work we’re doing on the Committee is important, critical even, and for two reasons. First, I’ve been given many opportunities [during my career] and want others to have the same, so it is important to me personally. And second because it is critical to SAP if we are going to evolve as an organization. We need to attract the best talent in the market to advise us and be a long-term part of our team to excel on a global business platform.

What are some of your passions and hobbies you enjoy outside of the office?
Janet: I enjoy reading and travel, but most of my passions revolve around sports; like golf, tennis and particularly cycling. My partner, Dave, and I enjoy going out on a Saturday morning in the summer for a full day. About four or five years ago, we took a week-long trip and cycled through Provence, France. When you are on a bike, you’re ‘in it’; hearing the wind, feeling the resistance as you pedal. And when you are in Provence it seems like every beautiful, historic little town is at the top of a hill! 

What's on your Bucket List?
Janet: The first thing that comes to mind when I hear that question is a river cruise through Europe. It looks like such a relaxing way to travel. I’d make sure I returned to places like Tuscany and Rome and took the time to see them in a leisurely, unhurried way. It’s the history of Europe — the 16^th, 17^th, 18^th, even 19^th century history — that I enjoy. I’ve read about Catherine the Great and find the imperial history of Russia dramatic, fascinating and complex. So I’d include cities there as well.
There’s one more item. I’m an 18 handicap golfer, so ‘Become a better golfer’ is on the list too.

Describe your perfect day.
Janet: Well, I’m at home and I’d sleep in until 8am or 9am — not sure if that actually counts as ‘sleeping in’. Then Dave and I [NA News note: Janet has three step daughters and a grandson, 10-month-old Robby] would have a nice breakfast somewhere and spend the day near the water. Maybe stop into Starbucks for a latte. Go for a bike ride or play a round of golf. We would cap it off with dinner on our deck. It would be a wonderfully relaxing day in Vancouver, really. By the way, my phone isn’t getting a lot of attention either!

If you could have dinner with anyone (living or not), who would it be and why?
Janet:  This is such a tough question to answer! I have to say Virginia “Ginni” Rometty, IBM’s current Chair, President and CEO [NA News note: Janet worked at IBM for 16 years]. Because of our partnership with IBM, I had the opportunity attend a meeting with Ginni and Bill McDermott in December last year. My sense is she’s very genuine, outgoing and personable. Consider what she has accomplished as a woman at the head of a company that size and IBM’s leading position on diversity. I think it would be fascinating to hear her perspective on life, careers and lessons learned. 
I’m going to invite someone else to dinner: Cheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook. She is in an incredibly strong position in a company that has made a giant impact on the world of technology and how we relate to one another. Plus, she has made women in leadership a significant, personal focus; I really admire that and would love the opportunity to talk to her about it.

FIVE MINUTES WITH DIANE FANELLI - SVP, GLOBAL PRESALES AND SOLUTIONS

by Kate Dieffenbach

When did you start working at SAP and why did you choose to join SAP?

Diane: I was working as an IT Manager in a clothing manufacturing company and was the lead on an ERP package they were installing—it was there I got the bug for what ERP can do. A friend of mine who worked at SAP recommended if I wanted to stay in IT I should check out the company. At that time, no one really knew what SAP was and ERP looked very different from what it does now.
My 1994 interview was at the humble Lester offices; there were three people and it was done so well. The clear message I walked away with was: “This is where we’re going. Get in early and help create our future.” We were—are—a learning company that thinks about tomorrow. Our team is able to explore and learn. That’s what I wanted.  By the end of the interview I had a job offer, I accepted and the rest is a blur!

What projects are you currently working on that you are excited about?

Diane: Increasing the impact Presales colleagues have working with our customers in the sales cycle. This organization [Presales] has been around a long time and we’re working to increase the opportunity to showcase our innovation, leveraging our entire team and sharing practices globally.
It’s about working with our customers in a way we haven’t before and that means helping them recognize what’s possible with our platforms and moving them away from seeing us only as an applications and technology company. Doing that artfully and elegantly—mapping the way for a company to utilize an entire platform—it’s a huge change for our organization to make, a huge shift. And we’re capable of it too.
Another project I’m excited about is the program we are putting the final touches on to help get U.S. Military Veterans to work, which we’ll launch in Q4. During my previous role as COO in April 2012, I realized we have a real issue with the number of people in the marketplace trained on our HANA, D&T, Mobility and BI products. I remember thinking “We have to do something about this,” and saw an opportunity to train our Veterans and work together with our partners to place them in the market. Not only does it solve a business problem but it reinforces SAP’s commitment to social responsibility and improving the lives of people everywhere.

What’s on your bucket list?

Diane: I want to travel to all the continents and I have two left open: Africa and Antarctica. To me…I like new things, I’m adventurous, inquisitive. Seeing new cultures is fascinating and I bring back mores, customs and cultures that help me be a better leader, whether that’s in business or my life in general.
SAP has given me the opportunity to do two international rotations (I call myself a Professional Gypsy) in Germany from ’95 to ’96 and Asia from ’07 to ‘10. I like the quest to check out new places and learn new habits and rituals. Absolutely that has helped me become a better global leader.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Diane: A teacher. What I do now outside of work is mentor young professionals who are a few years out of college and help them navigate corporate America. It’s not easy, and it’s something I derive a lot of personal satisfaction from. In fact, when I’m not working any longer, I’ll continue to mentor young people, certainly.

What are some of your passions and hobbies that you enjoy outside of the office?

Diane: Bike riding. My husband Ken and I make it a point on weekends to take long rides through the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, logging 40 to 60-mile days, anywhere from late spring to mid-fall. We’ve been doing that for the past 10 years.

If you could have dinner with anyone (living or not), who would it be and why?

Diane: Hilary Clinton. This woman has had quite a career and now she’s Secretary of State. It’s an enormous job with tremendous responsibility. Even being married to Bill—that’s part of the package! I’d love to know how she does what she does.

PATRICK MINNOCK - SAP PRICING EXPERT AND VOLUNTEER

by Jackie Montesinos Suarez, SAP Corporate Social Responsibility

Meet Patrick Minnock, SAP US Pricing Expert and Volunteer. An employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty to enable social impact in his local community. He is a remarkable contributor with longtime SAP non-profit partner Junior Achievement (JA) in Newtown Square. Patrick is being recognized for his exemplary service to the program, where he led a group of seven SAP employee volunteers in coaching and mentoring 18 students from several high schools around the area that participate in the program. 

The JA program is an entrepreneurial opportunity of a lifetime for high school students, giving them the chance to develop, run and liquidate an entire organization in 18 short weeks. Groups meet weekly to build their company by electing leaders, choosing a product, marketing and selling that product and inevitably selling off all assets to close the business. As a crescendo to the 4+ months of hard work, the students compete regionally via trade booths, interviews and presentations to win awards.

Not only did Patrick lead SAP’s group of mentors (Chelsea Crawford, Michael Fraim, Rebecca Hamilton, Brian Jones, Caleb Luther, Alex Pearl, and Abby Shagin) to support the students, he also led the high school students to victory at the Delaware Valley JA Company Program Competition. “It was Patrick’s energetic and humble approach that earned him the respect of the volunteers like me and the student participants, while guiding the SAP JA Company Team to its first ever 1st place finish in this competition,” said Alex Pearl, Director of Operations for Operations for SAP NA Education and volunteer.

This year’s SAP Corporate Social Responsibility Sponsored team, StayHot, sold coffee cozies to combat the billions of pounds of paper waste produced by those you get from most coffee shops. The team was able to sell close to 11,000 cozies and secured revenue of nearly $7,500, with a quarter of proceeds donated the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) in Pennsylvania.

At the Delaware Valley JA Company Program Competition Patrick’s team was awarded multiple awards for StayHot including “Overall Best Company”, “Best Company Stage Presentation” and second place for “Best President” and “Employee of the Year”.

Patrick is proud to speak of the hard work put into this project.

“I want people to realize high level of work and dedication these high school students really put into this. The idea and business plans were 100% conceived by them!” Patrick also emphasized the students’ growth during the 15 week process. Students who were shy became assertive by the end of the program. Five students were chosen to present at the competition and all 18 presented themselves in a professional manner.

Thank you Patrick for your admirable and inspirational work!

"Patrick and this program have taught me that the leaders with the biggest impact are often the ones who inspire leadership in others,” said Abby Shagin, SAP volunteer for the JA program. Volunteer Brian Jones agrees, “Patrick was the driving force behind the success at this year’s JA@SAP program. His energy and commitment enabled the volunteers and students to have a very successful year.”

FIVE MINUTES WITH STEVEN DADDAZIO - OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, US SALES

An interview by Angela Schuller, SAP North America News

Steve Daddazio’s journey through four SAP business areas well-prepared him to hit the ground running when he stepped into the role of Office of the President for U.S. Sales in January this year.

Angela: When did you start working at SAP and why did you choose to join?

Steve: It was seven years ago, in 2006, and it has been an interesting ride ever since! I actually grew up right down the street from the building, and I watched the Newtown Square office being built since I drove past it on my way to school. Plus, my dad used to work on the property, at the old ARCO Chemical, as did many people in the area. [NA News note: Before SAP, the offices were home to ARCO Chemical company. The original building was completed in 1999.]  
I guess you could say SAP has almost always been in my life. Even prior to joining the company, I worked for two SAP customers: QVC and Apple Vacations (which, interestingly, is directly across the street from us in Newtown Square). I kept an eye on the company and always wanted to be a part of it. The biggest driver for me to move over to SAP was the opportunity to grow.

Angela: What projects are you currently working on that you are excited about?

Steve: <laughs> It isn’t a project, frankly, it’s my job! I support Greg McStravick and joke that I have the opportunity and the challenge to manage his office and really help drive the U.S. business forward. It’s an exciting shift because I’ve worked with Greg in a number of regional roles and this is the first broad, national role for both of us, in a sense. 
What’s interesting with being out in the field – interacting with customers, partners and employees – is we can see how it all works together. In seven years, I’ve worked in four different areas: Finance & Accounting, Marketing, Inside Sales, and Operations. This new role is my opportunity to see the full spectrum of how those areas come together and how important each one is to the others.

Angela: Tell us one thing people generally don’t know about you.

Steve:  My wife, Gina, and I are very active in the national Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society. My wife is incredible in so many ways – she’s always happy and smiling. But five years ago, on our one-year wedding anniversary, Gina was diagnosed with MS. She always says, “I have MS but I won’t let it define me.” It’s amazing to see her drive and how she’s using her diagnosis in a positive way.

MS has helped both of us get out into the community and do a lot of things to raise awareness. In fact, the local chapter holds an annual fundraising event just about 100 yards away from the SAP NSQ office. It’s called “The MS Muck-fest” and it is an obstacle course covered in mud. We love being part of it every year!

Angela: Describe your perfect day.

Steve: Flat out: spending time with my family. I have an amazing wife, a three-year-old son, Domenic, who’s absolutely incredible and a one-year-old daughter, Joella, who drives me insane in a good way! I do a lot of traveling for work, so spending time with them is part of any perfect day.

The other part of my perfect day is the rest of my family, who are all from Italy. They own two restaurants, not far from Newtown Square that are local pizzerias and have been in business for almost 40 years. Anytime Gina and I get a chance, we go there with the kids. Pretty much anyone who works there is a family member, so we visit, eat lots of good food that’s not good for us and have a blast.

So, the perfect day? Have a good quarter inside SAP, leave the office, pick up the wife and kids and go to the pizzeria.

Angela: If you could have dinner with anyone (living or not), who would it be and why?

Steve:  This is an easy one, Michael Jordan. Not because I’m a huge basketball fan or a North Carolina fan, but more so because he’s a man who knew exactly what he needed to do to be successful in his career. I can’t remember if it was in a book, or if I was listening to him in a radio interview, but I remember him commenting that his philosophy was: Perfection is expected. Excellence is tolerable.
It would be amazing to know about his daily routine, his work ethic, and what inspired him. I would want to learn how he kept that competitive spirit and stayed committed to the game – his own game – every single day over a long period of time.