Season 1 - #16 Ram Jambunathan, SVP and Head of Corporate Strategy at SAP

In this episode, we sit down with Ram, SVP and Managing Director at SAP.iO, SAP’s strategic business unit focused on accelerating innovation by investing in promising startups. Ram gives us a peek into how SAP.iO supports innovative companies that align with SAP's mission and products. We discuss the current state of the modern workplace, the role of remote work, and how tools like CloudApp are crucial for seamless collaboration.

What We Cover:

• SAP.iO’s Mission: SAP.iO isn’t just an investment fund; it's a program designed to explore new business models and tap into the startup ecosystem to drive meaningful innovation for SAP customers. "We’re all about accelerating innovation that matters to our customers," says Ram.
• Remote Work and the Modern Workplace: The trend towards remote work was already evident before the pandemic, but the events of 2020 have accelerated this shift. Ram explains how companies like SAP have adapted by allowing employees to work from home and how this shift impacts productivity, tools, and company culture.
• The Role of CloudApp and Asynchronous Communication: Ram highlights the need for higher levels of proactive communication in a distributed work environment. Tools like CloudApp enable asynchronous communication, allowing employees to share visual information effectively and maintain productivity without the constraints of real-time meetings.

Episode Highlights:

• 2:00: Ram explains SAP.iO’s role in bridging the gap between SAP and startups, curating cutting-edge solutions for enterprise customers.
• 7:30: "The pandemic has accelerated remote work, and companies like SAP are allowing employees to work from home because safety is the priority."
• 13:00: On asynchronous tools: "Tools like CloudApp are crucial for asynchronous information sharing, creating a kind of virtual synchronicity that is key for remote teams."
• 17:30: How do we replace the "serendipitous interactions" that occur in traditional offices in a remote environment?

Chapters:

• 0:00 - Introduction to Ram and SAP.iO
• 2:30 - The inspiration behind SAP.iO and its role in SAP’s innovation strategy
• 5:00 - How SAP.iO identifies and invests in leading startups
• 8:30 - The acceleration of remote work and SAP's response
• 11:45 - Using the right tools and processes for effective remote work
• 13:45 - The value of asynchronous communication in a remote-first environment
• 18:00 - Fostering serendipitous interactions in remote work
• 21:00 - The future of work and how SAP.iO is shaping it

Takeaway: As we navigate a new landscape of work, SAP.iO is driving meaningful change by connecting startups and large enterprises to foster innovation. Tools like CloudApp are enabling more effective remote work by bridging the gap between synchronous and asynchronous communication. The future of work is a hybrid of technology, process optimization, and continuous innovation—elements SAP.iO is at the forefront of cultivating.