Technology Revolution: The Future of Now

Today's buzz: Thinking. According to "The 10 Skills That Will Get You Hired In 2013" (Forbes.com, Dec. 10, 2012), the top four skills required for 9 of the top 10 most in-demand jobs were critical thinking, complex problem solving, judgment and decision-making, and active listening. Pop quiz: If you apply for a "hot" new job today and are asked to honestly rate your proficiency in these skills, do you know enough about the definition of critical thinking to respond? The experts speak. Dr. Mark Battersby, Professor: "The first step in critical thinking is 'logical self-defense'—learning not to be taken in by bad but persuasive arguments." Dr. Sharon Bailin, Professor: "Critical thinking is more than logical self-defense. It involves coming to a reasonable decision based on a careful evaluation of relevant reasons and data." Deepa Sankar, SAP: "Analytics is not just about numbers. Look beyond those numbers." Join us for Critical Thinking: Path to True Business Intelligence?

Today's buzz: Marketing. We're all bombarded daily by a deluge of content. Some works its intended magic; most fails with a splat or simply vaporizes. If you're among the legions of writers (or a manager of writers) spewing forgettable content that's doing injustice to your brand, and your only authentic words are curses flung at your keyboard, help is here. Tune in for insider tips to go from dull, irrelevant messages to actionable, memorable, experience-rich communications gems. The experts speak. Jeremy Epstein, Sprinklr: "Brands will not survive the social age without experience management." Kare Anderson, Moving From Me to We: "Whoever most vividly characterizes what a situation is about usually determines how others see it in their mind's eye, think about it, and act on it." Tim Clark, SAP: "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you" (Maya Angelou). Join us for their insights on Social and Content Marketing: Why Is Less More?

The buzz: Project teams. When it comes to technology implementation roll-outs, achieving success demands astutely aligning your time, money and people with corporate objectives. The bottom line: If your project teams aren't earning high-fives on design, development, testing, training and ultimately process integration — and your PM (project manager) locks their door and turns off their phone — it's time to consider new approaches to project management. The experts speak. Greg Stimpson, Method360: ""Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid" (Albert Einstein). Erik Axton, Method360: "A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it" (G.K. Chesterton). Jason Bradley, SAP: "To simplify complications is the first essential of success (George Earle Buckle). Join us for Project Teams: New Roadmap To Success

Today's buzz: Shared value in education. What if your company could deliver shareholder returns while simultaneously helping to solve our global education crisis, and better prepare the workforce for the jobs you need to fill? You can! A growing number of smart companies are using their core business strategy and operations to create the power to solve education solutions, far beyond the reach of their limited giving budgets. The experts speak. Kate Tallant, FSG: "By aligning profit with purpose, companies can become essential partners for schools, nonprofits, and governments in overcoming the global education crisis." Amanda Gardiner, Pearson: "Companies should not be managing their reputations, they should be managing their impacts." (Christine Bader blog in The Guardian) Brittany Lothe, SAP: "Plan like a pessimist, think like a realist, act like an optimist and – above all – love what you do. Join us for Business's New Role in Education: Creating Shared Value.

Today's buzz: Cloud. The IT industry is in a state of flux, with its traditional approaches heavily impacted by disruptive technologies. Cloud computing tops that list. Want to know more? Hear what five cloud experts see in the cloud this year. Sven Denecken, SAP: "The most important long-term benefits of cloud are greater business flexibility and agility vs. cost savings." Allan Krans, TBR: "Whatever you are, be a good one" (Abraham Lincoln). Jillian Mirandi, TBR: "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined" (Henry David Thoreau). Matt Healey, TBR: "Politics are almost as exciting as war, and – quite as dangerous ... [I]n war, you can only be killed once. But in politics, many times" (Winston Churchill). Elizabeth Hedstrom Henlin, TBR: "There cannot be a crisis next week – my schedule is already full" (Henry Kissinger). Join us for A Cloud State of Mind: Predictions 2014.

The buzz: Cloud. Three technology visionaries meet to gaze into the cloud. What do their expert eyes see? Jeff Kaplan, THINKstrategies: "In my view, the cloud computing marketplace will change rapidly in the coming year." Jorge Garcia, TEC: "In the Age of Analytics, as products and services become 'lighter' (i.e., less physical and more digital), manufacturing and distribution costs—while still important—will be augmented with new metrics—the costs of know, the flow of know, and the costs of not knowing." (Thornton May, futurist, IT Leadership Academy) Tim Minahan, SAP: "Businesses found religion in the cloud in 2013. And there is no doubt that the cloud will become more prevalent in all aspects of the business and IT stack in 2014. Yet, adoption approaches and cloud environments will look far different over the coming year than they have in the past…In short, 2014 will likely go down as the year where business got smart about the cloud." Join us for Cloud Scapes 2014: Perfect Storm?

The buzz: Social regulation? Social media has given customers a powerful voice that can make or break your brand reputation in a virtual heartbeat. If you've suffered their slings and arrows, did you succumb to the temptation to fire back? Hold the presses. Let's evaluate social risks, rewards and regulation. The experts speak. Raluca Druta, TEC: "Instead of seeking the explanation in a general conception of the law […] it seemed to me far wiser to look at the workings of Power. I was concerned not with some omnipresent power,[...] but with refinement, the elaboration and installation since the seventeenth century, of techniques for 'governing' individuals. (Michel Foucault) Tim Barker, DataSift: "The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed." (William Gibson, author) Todd Wilms, SAP: "For now, let your company compass be your guide. Regulation will come, so enjoy the self-regulated freedom while it lasts. Join us for Social Media Compliance: Time for Regulation?

The buzz: Social. Have your company's social engagement tools and practices evolved to meet the demands of today's digitally-empowered, brand-controlling customers – or are you stalled, stumbling, or just plain failing? If the latter, wake up right now! The world of customer service has changed, with your audience tipping the balance of power in their favor. They expect you to welcome and serve them with speed, accuracy, respect, and grace – on all of the channels they choose. Need help? The experts speak. Brent Leary, CRM Essentials: "Speed of engagement will play an increasingly important role in creating great customer service experiences." Dan Gingiss, Discover: "First focus on a superior product or service. Then focus on outstanding customer service. Once you have both, doing customer service well in social media is a breeze. Kai Petzelt, SAP: "We live in a world of digital Darwinism" (Brian Solis). Join us for Social Customer Engagement: How Does Your Company Score?

Looking for a crystal ball to help you predict what 2014 may bring for your business, your industry, your marketplace? We've got the next best thing – dozens of expert insights into the technologies, strategies, and trends that can help you grow and compete better this year and beyond. These thought leaders will appear on SAP Game-Changers Radio 2014 Predictions – Part 3 LIVE: Todd Wilms, SAP; Michael Denis, Flatirons Solutions; Neal Schact, CommuniTech; Nicolette Van Exel, SAP; Kathy-Ann Hutson, IBM; Padman Ramankutty, Intrigo; Steve Hilton, MachNation; Bill Newman, Newport Consulting; China Gorman, Great Place to Work; Steve Player, Beyond Budgeting Round Table; Jorge Garcia, TEC; Dennis Goodhart, IP Network Consulting; Marcus Baur, Sailing Team Germany; Eric Siegel, Predictive Analytics World; Tim Minahan, SAP. To hear the first two parts of our 2014 Predictions special, visist: http://bit.ly/Predictions2014A and http://bit.ly/Predictions2014B. Wishing you a positively game-changing New Year!

Today's buzz: Donations. Businesses are pressured to do the right thing via donations, especially at year-end. Giving feels good. It could feel even better all year long if your company expands its generosity to support NPOs and NGOs around the world. How? The experts speak. Joana Breidenbach, betterplace.org: "The social sector and philanthropy will experience a similar disruption to industries such as news and retail – digital tools challenge existing power relations, practices, and business models. Executed well, they hold the potential for civil society organizations to be much more efficient and effective." Alex Lapusan, Zitec: "There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction" (John F. Kennedy). Nish Pangali, SAP: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has" (Margaret Mead). Join us for Tech Donations: Transforming NGOs & NPOs – Part 2.