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Jan Sauer

Helping global enterprises innovate like Amazon - Innovation - Growth - Product - Transformation

Professional Background

Jan Sauer is a visionary leader in the field of digital innovation and business development, currently serving as the Principal Business Development Manager for Digital Innovation at Amazon, where he conducts critical engagements with AWS Global Vertical and Strategic Account customers. Leveraging his expertise in Amazon's unique Working Backwards mechanism, Jan excels in creating new and compelling digital offerings that not only enhance customer satisfaction but also drive substantial top-line growth and profitability for businesses.

Before his tenure at Amazon, Jan showcased his capabilities at SAP, where he held the position of Senior Global Director for Digital Transformation and Design Thinking in the Transformation Office. In this capacity, he spearheaded innovation and digital transformation initiatives for key accounts and lighthouse customers, driving successful outcomes and enabling businesses to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Under his leadership, many Fortune 100 companies thrived as they employed effective strategies for market expansion and new ventures.

Jan's extensive career also includes serving as the Trade Commissioner of Denmark to Atlanta, where he played a pivotal role in facilitating US-market entry for over 300 Danish firms. His experience in corporate strategy consulting further solidified his skills in guiding organizations through complex growth and innovation challenges. Furthermore, Jan has held strategic roles in various organizations, helping to implement robust growth strategies driven by innovative design solutions.

Education and Achievements

Jan’s educational background is as diverse as his professional journey. He is an esteemed alumnus of Harvard Business School, where he completed the Program for Leadership Development, an executive rapid progression MBA. This rigorous program has provided him with the leadership skills necessary to navigate complex business landscapes effectively.

Moreover, Jan holds a Master of Science in Design & Communications Management from Copenhagen Business School. He has further enriched his expertise by studying High-Tech Marketing at The Chasm Institute and Design Thinking at the renowned innovation and design firm IDEO, accentuating his capability to blend design principles with strategic innovation. Furthermore, he has pursued various educational courses at Harvard Business School, including "Changing the Game: Negotiations and Competitive Decision Making" and "Building Ventures in Established Companies", which have honed his negotiation skills and entrepreneurial mindset.

Additionally, Jan has earned multiple degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in International Business and Economics from both Syddansk Universitet and Universität Flensburg, as well as a Bachelor in International Business and Economics from ESC Clermont Business School. To complement his diverse academic qualifications, he also holds a Master of Science from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Notable Achievements

Throughout his career, Jan Sauer has amassed an impressive portfolio of achievements and leadership roles, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to innovation and business growth. His work at Amazon showcases his prowess in harnessing cutting-edge technology to develop digital solutions that address customer needs effectively. By employing Amazon’s signature approach, Jan has been instrumental in driving significant changes that positively impact both customers and businesses alike.

At SAP, Jan's leadership was crucial in facilitating digital transformation efforts that allowed numerous organizations to reinvent their operational frameworks and achieve greater efficiency. His strategic input has been essential in enabling companies to adopt innovative practices while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

As Trade Commissioner of Denmark, Jan's impact was felt across a multitude of firms aspiring to penetrate the competitive US market. By providing invaluable advisory services, he enabled these companies to assess opportunities, understand market dynamics, and effectively navigate entry strategies, which led to numerous success stories.

In addition to his corporate endeavors, Jan Sauer is also recognized for his entrepreneurial spirit, having founded TimeGrabApp, a service designed to revolutionize time management. His experiences as a partner at Katapult Group highlight his contributions to developing robust growth and innovation strategies for various startups and established firms seeking expansion in emerging markets.

Jan’s career trajectory exemplifies a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to leveraging innovation in driving business success. With a multifaceted background in digital transformation, strategy consulting, and international trade, Jan continues to lead by example as an influential figure in the business development landscape, inspiring organizations to

Highlights

Jul 5 · linkedin

Appreciation creates fertile grounds for innovation

Small efforts go a long way, and it's nice to be recognized for what you do.

Recently, I received an unexpected accolade from someone I worked with. They didn't have to do it, and they weren't getting paid for it either. They took time out of their busy schedule to find the solution on our intranet and write the accolade.

But I appreciate them. This act made them stand out and strengthened our relationship. It's not about the accolade itself; it's about knowing that they take the time to acknowledge my work.

Recognizing people's contributions is powerful. It builds trust, strengthens bonds, and creates a better workplace. So, let's be more aware of the extraordinary efforts we benefit from and give praise when it's due.

I'm optimizing for long-term games with long-term people.

Acknowledging others is one way to make that happen.

Appreciation helps build psychological safety, which in turn creates a stronger foundation for innovation.

Question: When was the last time you recognized someone for their extraordinary effort?

Jun 21 · linkedin

Customers evaluate you on the full experience - not just the piece that you own

To win the hearts and minds of the customer, you must deliver a great and memorable customer experience. This is challenging if you don't control all the elements. Your job is to pay attention to the details so no mishaps occur.
To do this you must deeply understand the full experience of your customer.  You must design and work to rigorously control for the optimal experience. Things will happen that are unexpected. The weather may change. The customer service rep may miss a beat. The in-store staff may be on their phones when you need their he It goes without saying that some of these moments matter more than others. Mapping the moments to importance vs frequency is all you need to do to give you focus. Make sure you get the basics right.

"It Ain’t What You Don’t Know That Gets You Into Trouble. It’s What You Know for Sure That Just Ain’t So"

Here are the lessons for innovation leaders, wether you are delivering content or delivering a product: 1/Be intentional about creation delightful moments across all. Start with the most important and high frequency customer touch-points. 2/Consider integrating deeper into your business model, or changing out the partners you rely on. 3/Know that s... will happen - and have a backup plan. 4/Capture data to help you understand what went well versus where there is room for improvement. Without data you're flying blind. 5/Continuously improve - never settle. Customers will continue to expect more from you. Your goal is to evolve how you serve them.

Question: How do you control and optimize for the optimal customer experience even if you don't own the full stack? Would love some tips.

#innovation #customerexperience

Related Questions

How did Jan Sauer develop his expertise in digital transformation and innovation at Amazon?
What strategies did Jan Sauer implement to assist Danish firms in entering the US market as Trade Commissioner?
How has Jan Sauer's education at Harvard Business School influenced his career trajectory?
What are some of Jan Sauer's key achievements during his time at SAP?
In what ways has Jan Sauer's entrepreneurial experience with TimeGrabApp shaped his perspectives on business development?
Jan Sauer
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Location

Palo Alto, California, United States