May 18, 2023·edited Jul 17, 2023Liked by Thomas Otter
That period from 2000-ish to the acquisition by SAP in 2012 offers so many great lessons!
As agency partner for Successfactors and then SAP Successfactors during that era, I can second your observations, Thomas. In particular the sales-led culture and the all-star quality of their sales leadership, marketing too.
Lars and his teams kept the peddle down before, during, and after the Great Financial Crisis while category competitors like Taleo pulled back on sales and marketing. Comparing the exits of the two offers an important lesson about sticking to your strategy when you're in the midst of a land-grab for marketshare. Taleo started acting like a profit-focused company too soon — at least that's one interpretation.
That period from 2000-ish to the acquisition by SAP in 2012 offers so many great lessons!
As agency partner for Successfactors and then SAP Successfactors during that era, I can second your observations, Thomas. In particular the sales-led culture and the all-star quality of their sales leadership, marketing too.
Lars and his teams kept the peddle down before, during, and after the Great Financial Crisis while category competitors like Taleo pulled back on sales and marketing. Comparing the exits of the two offers an important lesson about sticking to your strategy when you're in the midst of a land-grab for marketshare. Taleo started acting like a profit-focused company too soon — at least that's one interpretation.
I hope you continue this series. Great stuff!