SuccessConnect participants arrived to a cool breeze, sunny skies and a beautiful resort on the beach – the perfect location to talk about strategy execution? I think so!
Lars Dalgaard kicked off SuccessConnect at the Sheraton Mirage, Gold Coast yesterday by introducing SuccessFactors and highlighting some key advantages of Software as a Service, social business software and innovation. He ensured the audience that SuccessFactors “will find a way to make you successful”. Lars then introduced Anastasia Ellerby, Vice President Inform Services, to talk about a brand new module for SuccessFactors customers, the BizX Insights. This module allows decision makers to analyse data on a large variety of dimensions in order to make more effective, speedy and confident decisions. Dmitri Krakovsky, Vice President of Global Product Management, then wowed the audience with the latest module innovations.
After a well deserved morning tea break with coffee and Lamingtons (traditional Australian cakes), participants were treated to an insightful presentation by Dr Friedrich Froeschl, CEO and founder of HI TEC INVEST, who described some of the major hurdles in successful strategy execution which he has encountered in his career. To summarise his key ‘take away’ messages: execution is something that needs to happen at all levels of the organisation, strategy planning and execution are not two separate things – they should occur simultaneously, execution is a process not a single action and SuccessFactors can help its customers speed up the execution process. While talking about his experience as CIO at Siemens, Dr Froeschl did not talk favourably about SAP and instead continuously emphasised the important role of SuccessFactors in successful strategy execution. He finished the presentation by emphasising the importance of having a winner’s attitude and showed a picture of Lars Dalgaard who, according to Dr Froeschl, has made SuccessFactors successful because of his positive ‘can do’ attitude.
The cocktail reception at Sea World that evening was probably the highlight of the day for most participants. Drinks and nibbles were served in the shark aquarium! And as if it wasn’t enough to be looking at all kinds of beautiful fish, rays and sharks while nibbling on sushi, oysters, prawns and deep fried bananas wrapped in prosciutto (!!), the winners of the SuccessAwards were announced by SuccessFactors staff inside the shark tank! That’s right, two brave employees scuba-dived with the sharks and held up signs with the names of the award winners. Congratulations to all our winners!
Stay tuned for photos and more updates from SuccessConnect and the Inform 20th Anniversary Conference.