Dennis, I thought you nailed it in your last paragraph: “The Mentors have an emotional relationship with SAP. And that, like all love affairs, can go one of two ways….The big question: does SAP have an emotional relationship with its Mentors? We’ll see.”

Right. What I have seen from the Mentors as a group is that they are passionate about SAP, but not in a blind way. They have plenty of very well thought criticisms that are part of a desire to see SAP live up whatever promise its online communities can sometimes imply. In that sense, I think the SAP Mentors can come off as a pain in the ass to SAP sometimes. I know I would find dealing with me every day somewhat of a pain in the ass! Engaging passionate people is not always easy.

As an example you cited, SAP is determined to improve its certification program and does seem to be listening to Mentors in this area. But: what if the improvements aren’t up to snuff with what Mentors want? SAP is going to hear all about that. Will they tire of that type of conversation? Or will they grow to love that stubbornness? Time will tell. Keep on crushing.

- Jon

From my personal point of view, we’re witnessing (and as an SAP Mentor, you are experiencing) a slow transformation of how SAP builds software and engages with the “ecosystem”. In general, there are two ways of organizing: plan up front with as much structure and then execute/monitor [a push model if you will]. The other way is to let the “organization” adapt to the market with minimal definition upfront and allow structure to form on its own [a pull model if you wish]. At SAP (and most other large enterprises) things happen with a lot of upfront planning and a defined structure; but with the advent of SAP Community (and SAP Mentors) with SDN, BPX, Eco, Univ, etc.. There is increased willingness to harness the emerging energy and passion and allow structure to take form – becoming more adaptive. Five years from now more of business will be done within connected networks in a more transparent environment. SAP’s future is in helping society to achieve our human potential with enabling “designs” that apply to, and cut across, the overlapping social, environmental, cultural, and business circles . Just as software dev at SAP has gone from an 80’s and 90’s focus on transactions to a more UI emphasis and how users connect with the application, SAP is also transforming the engagement with its customers, partners, stakeholders, and society at large. SAP is better due to the SAP Mentors.

Mohamed

I learnt this trick from my sales days. It always pays. I still apply this in my ABAPing career which always results in lasting success.

Raja