Have you ever thought to yourself, “I wish SAP SuccessFactors could do...” or “wouldn’t it be great if we had the ability to....?” Those questions are probably followed up with “but how can I share that feedback and actually get someone to listen?" As a former System Administrator, I’ve been there, and would like to share what opportunities are available to provide input into the direction of the product as well as some personal experience along the way.
Benefits
- Allows you an opportunity to document your ideas for improvement
- You can vote on other customers' ideas
- The more votes (or “kudos”) an idea has, the more likely it will be considered by SAP to include in the product
Drawbacks
- It can be a long process with no defined timeline
- Ideas aren't always accepted and placed on the roadmap
Despite the drawbacks, I have had a few ideas implemented into the product over the years, so it does happen! However, one thing is for sure, if you don’t document your idea in the Influence portal, it definitely will not be considered. Don’t wait for or rely on another organization to submit your idea.
Benefits
- Excellent way to get involved in the Community (clients, partners and SAP)
- Provides an opportunity to network with other customers (who can support you in your ideas in the Influence Portal!)
- Learn what others are doing that may be of interest to you within a specific modules or process
- Face to face (albeit, virtually right now) time with key members of SAP may provide an opportunity to voice your thoughts and needs with someone who can add additional influence
Drawbacks
- Depending on your location, a user group may not be established (yet), or you may have to travel to the nearest meetup (whenever that's allowed!)
Personally, I have been involved with user groups for several years, whether hosting, presenting, or attending. You never know what may spark a great idea or find there are other admins and organizations experiencing the same challenges. I once attended a user group meeting (during a tornado!), and while in an open forum session, a question was asked and the group spent a ton of time (more than allotted) to give ideas on how to solve the problem. User groups are a great forum for learning and problem solving. You can find current user groups on the SAP SuccessFactors Community, and if there isn’t one in your area, perhaps you should start one!
Product Advisory Panels
Benefits
- Opportunity to discuss module specific enhancements or design
- These one-time sessions allow for feedback and an opportunity to connect directly with the product management team
Drawbacks
- None, other than they're typically announced in the Community, under the specific product page, so you'll need to check frequently for updates on sessions
There is nothing to lose in this situation, you get more information on a specific product or topic and are specifically being asked for feedback. These opportunities are golden!
Value & Innovation in Practice (VIP) Program
Benefits
- Virtual and in-person events encouraging round table discussion and engagement among VIP customers
- Network with other clients and gain visibility within the SAP SuccessFactors Community
Drawbacks
Through this program, I had an opportunity to participate on a panel discussion at SuccessConnect several years ago and share my experience with implementing SuccessFactors Recruiting. I also met another system administrator as part of that panel discussion who I continued to collaborate and problem-solve with for several years. These events and opportunities can have a far-reaching impact if you are willing to dedicate the time to attend.
As you can see, there are many (free) opportunities to engage with SAP and other customers within this community. By engaging, the relationships you build can help challenge you to see things in a new light, help ensure your voice is heard, and provide an outlet for you to give feedback. We challenge you to get involved and share your experiences. You could potentially help another system admin or influence the direction of a specific module in the process.
