Transformation Every Day

• Episode 13: Building a Global SAP Consulting Powerhouse: The story of cbs corporate business solutions

  Guests: Harald Sulovsky - Founder and former CEO - cbs corporate business solutionsRainer Wittwen - CEO - cbs corporate business solutionsHost: Alexander Greb - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutionsEntrepreneurship isn’t just about startups — it’s also about building lasting companies that transform industries. In this special episode of Transformation Every Day, we sit down with Harald Sulovsky, founder and former CEO of CBS Corporate Business Solutions, and his successor Rainer Wittwen, CEO of CBS. Together, they share the fascinating journey of growing CBS from a small SAP consultancy into a global powerhouse with 1,600 employees and over 300 million euros in annual revenue.Hear firsthand how Harald’s passion for business process consulting and technology sparked the creation of CBS back in 1993, how the company navigated market shifts and technological revolutions, and how a strong culture and visionary leadership have fueled its sustainable growth. Rainer reflects on stepping into the leadership role and driving CBS forward through today’s digital transformation landscape.This episode also celebrates CBS’s 30th anniversary and upcoming event featuring SAP CEO Christian Klein as a special guest, marking three decades of innovation and excellence in SAP consulting.Whether you’re a founder, consultant, or business leader, this conversation offers valuable lessons on scaling a consulting firm, embracing change, and delivering real transformation at scale.Tune in for an inspiring look beyond startups — entrepreneurship through the lens of one of the most successful SAP consulting firms in the world.Follow Harald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harald-sulovsky-971b6216/Follow Rainer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rainer-wittwen-64a45475/Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Conversation01:54 Economic Forecasts and Business Strategies02:54 Founding CBS: The Journey Begins10:02 Challenges in Consulting: Lessons from the Past16:41 Building a Team: The Importance of Culture23:41 Navigating Change: Adapting to New Technologies29:16 The Role of Consultants in Business Transformation36:17 Education and Training: Investing in Future Talent44:08 Growth Strategies: Organic vs. Acquisitions52:04 Conclusion: Reflections on CBS's Journey54:55 Navigating Partnerships and Strategic Decisions01:00:10 Global Expansion and Strategic Growth01:06:22 Innovations in Data Management and Migration01:13:04 The Transformation Philosophy of CBS01:18:21 Leadership Transition and Succession Planning01:27:19 Reflections on Leadership and Future Vision01:33:11 The Impact of AI on Consulting01:38:02 The Simplicity of Transformation 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

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• Episode 12: ASUG, SAPPHIRE and the Future of SAP - Geoff Scott

  Guest: Geoff Scott - CEO - ASUG (Americas SAP Users' Group)Hosts: Alexander Greb - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutionsJohannes Langguth - Head of Business Transformation and Architecture - SAP SEIn this episode of Transformation Every Day, Alexander Greb and Johannes Langguth sit down with Geoff Scott, CEO of ASUG, fresh off Sapphire 2025. They discuss the changing tone at this year’s Sapphire event—from a modest keynote launch to a focus on clarity rather than hype amid a complex global landscape. Geoff shares his perspective on navigating geopolitical uncertainty, market reactions, and why realistic conversations around AI, clean core, and cloud strategy matter more than ever.The conversation dives deep into the real challenges of SAP adoption: the ongoing migration from ECC to S/4HANA, the trade-offs between lift-and-shift and greenfield implementations, and the widening gap between rapid technology advances and enterprise readiness. Geoff also explores the evolving role of enterprise architects, highlighting the complexities of their mission to bring order to sprawling, ever-changing technology portfolios.Wrapping up, Geoff previews ASUG’s upcoming hands-on events, local chapters, and community initiatives designed to empower SAP customers to move forward confidently in 2025 and beyond. Whether you’re tackling digital transformation, AI integration, or cloud migration, this episode offers honest insights and practical advice from a leader deeply connected to the SAP community.Follow Geoff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-scott-ugs/Check out ASUG: https://www.asug.com/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

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• Episode 11: The Economy of Algorithms - Prof. Marek Kowalkiewicz

  Guest: Prof. Marek Kowalkiewicz - Author,  Prof. and Chair Digital Economics, Queensland UniversityHosts: Alexander Greb - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutionsIn this engaging conversation, Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz and Alexander Greb explore the profound impact of algorithms and AI on our lives, businesses, and the future of work. They discuss the importance of understanding these technologies, the role of curiosity in driving innovation, and the need for education and literacy in navigating the changes brought by AI. Marek shares his journey from SAP to academia, emphasizing the significance of consulting in the age of AI and the potential for new job opportunities alongside the challenges of redundancy. The conversation highlights the necessity of embracing change and fostering a collaborative relationship between humans and AI.Follow Marek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marekkowal/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

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• Episode 10: The SAP Toolchain Unleashed: From Process Insights to Real-Time Adoption - Wassilios Lolas

  Guest: Wassilios Lolas - Global Vice President - SAP SignavioHosts: Alexander Greb - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutionsJohannes Langguth - Head of Business Transformation and Architecture - SAP SEGet ready to embark on a journey through the very heart of business transformation: in our latest Transformation Every Day episode, Alexander Greb and Johannes sit down with Wassilios Lolas of SAP Signavio, the man who—fluent in English, German, Italian, French, Greek, and even the Berlin dialect—knows exactly how to translate strategy into reality. Wassilios doesn’t just talk in tongues; he speaks the language of process innovation, and he’s convinced that SAP’s tool chain (Signavio, LeanIX, WalkMe and more) is the single biggest leap forward in a decade.TakeawaysSAP has shifted from making software to helping companies improve.Transformations often run as IT projects rather than business-driven initiatives.CIOs need to provide visibility into business operations for effective transformation.Transparency is crucial for gaining buy-in from employees during change.Data can help remove emotions from performance discussions.Top management support is essential for successful transformations.Agility is key to responding to disruptions in the business environment.The tool chain must align with company strategy for effective transformation.Understanding current processes is vital for identifying areas of improvement.The integration of various tools is necessary for comprehensive business transformation. IT serves as a supporting function in organizations.Successful transformation requires a holistic approach.Driving adoption of new technologies is crucial for success.Transparency in processes helps identify inefficiencies.Transformation should be viewed as a continuous capability.The role of the CIO is evolving to facilitate change.Federated models can enhance organizational efficiency.Micro and macro optimization must be balanced in processes.Organizations can change with the right tools and mindset.Continuous monitoring is essential for successful transformation.Follow Wassilios here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wassilios-lolas/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

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• Episode 9: The RISE of SAP - Martin Scharmach

  Guest: Martin Scharmach -  SVP & General Manager RISE WITH SAP - MEE Region, SAP SEHosts: Alexander Greb - Consulting Director - cbs corporate business solutionsJohannes Langguth - Head of Business Transformation and Architecture - SAP SEIn this episode, we sit down with Martin Scharmach—SAP’s go-to guy for RISE in Europe—to unpack how cloud ERP has shifted from “just tech” to a full-blown business transformation driver.We cover:- How Martin’s consultative roots and sales experience shape his vision- Why real transformation needs more than just tech upgrades- Cloud security, sovereignty & the myth of the “perfect time” to transform- Why letting go of old systems isn’t loss—it's leverage- The changing role of partners & consultants in the transformation era- And why a long-term SAP journey is less about tools and more about mindsetMartin’s take? Cloud ERP isn’t just a destination—it’s a strategy. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform and get ready to rethink what transformation really means.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

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