Christopher Salis – Career, Bio, and Life

Christopher Salis, a renowned SAP specialist, brings more than two decades of IT experience to the table. His extensive knowledge has catapulted several enterprises to unparalleled success. He specializes in providing deep insights into the SAP ecosystem, making him a great resource for newbies navigating the complexity of SAP systems. His genuine expertise resides in his extraordinary ability to connect SAP services with a wide range of company demands.

Salis began his career with Adecco Employment Services, where he held key positions such as IT Procurement Manager and Strategic Sourcing Manager. He oversaw the IT procurement program, including supplier selection, contract negotiations, and strategic alliances.

Salis later joined Gap, Inc. as a Manager of Strategic Sourcing, where he transformed operational procedures. He dramatically improved operational efficiency at eBay while serving as Manager of Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, and Operational Excellence.

Salis quickly through the ranks at Business Objects, a SAP company, where he held roles such as Senior Manager of Procurement and Strategic Sourcing, Senior Director of Global Go-to-Market Process and Product Management, and finally Executive Director and Chief of Staff-Office of the CEO. He was responsible for guiding SAP's Analytics and Technology portfolios, as well as overseeing the SAP Ecosystem and Partner Organization.

Salis worked in a number of prominent roles at SAP. As Vice-President and Head of Global Sales for Line of Business Solutions for Procurement, and then as Global Vice-President and General Manager, he reversed declining sales and met the highest business targets in 2010/11. Christopher Salis increased SaaS sales fourfold and revenue by 300% in 2011. He pioneered SAP Sourcing, the first successful SaaS service, and built a robust global team of product managers using the SAP Agile methodology. Salis led the $4.3 billion acquisition of Ariba in 2012, which raised SaaS revenue by 75% and pioneered new business models including the SAP Digital Business division.

Regarded as a leader in the IT industry, Salis balances his professional achievements with a fulfilling personal life in San Mateo, California, where he lives with his family.

What Inspired Christopher Salis to Start the Secure Our Schools Foundation?

Christopher Salis was driven to establish the Secure Our Schools Foundation in June 2022, aiming to enhance school safety through technology. As a co-founder and advisor to this 501(c)(3) organization, Salis aims to safeguard over 250,000 K-12 students by providing digital solutions for active shooter prevention, medical emergency response, and comprehensive incident management.

His extensive experience as a technology executive and entrepreneur, including senior roles at major corporations like SAP, where he developed innovative SaaS business models, inspired Salis to leverage technology to improve school safety.

How did Christopher Salis Achieve Such Significant Revenue Growth at SAP?

Christopher Salis' tenure at SAP was marked by exceptional revenue growth and strategic successes:

• As Vice President and Head of Global Sales for SAP's Line of Business Solutions for Procurement, Salis reversed a three-year revenue decline.

• He achieved the highest business quota in 2010-2011.

• Salis generated a 4x growth in SaaS revenue and a 300% revenue increase in 2011.

• He launched SAP Sourcing, SAP's first successful SaaS offering.

• Salis built a global team of product managers and introduced the SAP Agile methodology engagement framework.

• His strategies led to SAP's $4.3 billion acquisition of Ariba in 2012, and he led Ariba post-merger, growing SaaS revenue by 75%.

• He launched new business models with innovative strategies and commercialized SAP's Digital Business unit, reducing the average time to revenue for new innovations from 12 months to 90 days.

Christopher Salis' Role in the Acquisition of Ariba

Christopher Salis played a critical role in SAP's $4.3 billion acquisition of Ariba in 2012:

• As Vice President and Head of Global Sales for SAP's Line of Business Solutions for Procurement, his strategic vision led to the acquisition.

• Post-acquisition, Salis assumed leadership of Ariba, driving SaaS revenue growth to 75% and fostering new business models.

Sources

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