What are the SAPMentors ? How to 'identify' them ? How to spot them ? How to engage with them ? Where to find them ? Will you dare to chime in and engage with these passionate fellows ? For example, ('Make an educated guess') say at #sapteched ?
Background information
What are the SAPMentors ?
Amongst us, over two millions SDN contributors and members, a few good guys also sometimes known as the 'Community Edge', are the SAP Mentors.
SAP Mentors are Subject Matter(s) Expert(s), keen to share knowledge and always keep the learning curve up, challenging themselves and other peers to make the SAP products and usability always better !
SAP Mentors are passionate individuals, gathered into an extended family, meeting online or face to face. They are the best of the best, the elite (ditto Top Gun) ... SAP Communities will make them better !
Where are the Mentors ? Always a Mentor near you, online or onsite !
View SAP Mentors worldwide in a larger map (Source & Credits @Oliver )
How to spot @sapmentors ?
As SAPMentors are involved in most of SAP events, I wanted to shed some 'light' on how to 'identify' and/or spot SAPMentors.
Today, they are easy to sport. Currently, unlike the Smurfs (Belgium Pride) who are wearing light blue, they are wearing dark blue comfy shirt. Cherry on the pie, most of the time with their Twitter call sign on the back of the shirt !
Meet the influencers
Fig. illustrates Mark Finnern http://twitter.com/finnern SAP Community Evangelist.
In today's hectic and challenging world, SAP Technologies, functinalities, Communities and the whole Eco system are also powered by a fistful of top contributors. Most of the top contributors are influencers, influencing in their own way or thanks to a grouping of a task force.
Spot them online
Mentor Monday (shaken not stirred)
SAP Mentor Monday Webinars are held on regular basisn check out the great agendas !
SAP Mentors are delighted to invite you online for free webinars, known as 'Mentor SAP Mentor Monday Webinars. Great topics presented by talented and skilled peers. Feel free to join and interact live. Shall you miss it, the replay is also available shortly after.
SAP Communities Networks
Of course, it goes without saying that most SAPMentors are active in blogging through different channels, which includes the SCN/SDN/BOC/BPX Communities !
Social Medias and 2.0 ERA
Follow online the SAPMentors on Twitter : http://twitter.com/sapmentors
Flickr : Get pictures of SAPMentors activities and more on Flickr : http://www.flickr.com/groups/sapmentors/
Last but not least, if you 'like us' go the extra mile and join the group on Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/SAPMentors
Spot them during SAP Events !
Will you dare to chime in and engage with these passionate fellows ? For example, say at #sapteched ? Or other SAP Events ?
SAPMentors are taking part at the myriad of SAP Events. The principal events are :
- TECHED
Bjorn Goerke, Hervé Couturier and Mark Finnern at SAP TechEd Berlin.
Example : SAP Ambassador Les Hayman and SAP Mentor Martin Gillet during Belgian SAP World Tour pitstop in Brussels, Belgium.
- SAP Inside Tracks Spot the @SAPMentors onsite locally :
Featuring @ttrapp and @thorstenster during SAP Inside Track Bonn
Featuring @mgillet @pixelbase and @dahowlett (part of the @certification5) during SAP Inside Track London
Lookout also for SAPMentors Banner during #sapteched and #sapphirenow.
Some Mentors also carry goodies such as flashing badges, bags and more...
Spot them at SAP Partner conferences & User Groups
Partners
SAP Partner WISPUBS, aslo known as SAP Insider is setting up great conferences in many SAP related fields, across many countries.
Some Mentors are also taking the lead and the opportunities to share their knowledge during these events.
For example in November, coming near to you in Barcelona, Spain :
At the Reporting 2010 Conference, Ingo Hilgefort, SAP Canada & SAPMentor will share knowledge about SAP and SAP BusinessObjects solutions for reporting and business intelligence; selecting the right reporting tool for the job on November 11th, 2010 during the Ask-the-Experts session. Ingo will also have session.
At the HR 2010 Conference, I will share my five cents in the field of Personnel administration (PA) and personnel development (PD), portal and self-services, reporting and authorizations and more. I will also entert(r)ain sessions.
User Groups
Many user groups do exist and provide astonishing additional added value material and sessions. Best example that comes to my mind is the ASUG where many SAPMentors also volunteer !
Spot them during SAP Trainings
It doesn't get any better, some SAPMentors also do entert(r)ain SAP Trainings, Checkout with your local Education Center.
Spot them in quality SAP PRESS Books !
Don't have time to write or search the whole blogging area... It doesn't get any better, some SAPMentors also compiled the information into a book, powered by SAP Partner : SAP PRESS !
Our favorite reading and pick for today is "Practical Workflow for SAP (2nd Edition)" which was written by quite a few talended writers, including Mentors !
Spot them in daily life
Press
Check out the local and international press, you might here from them !
For example in the belgian Press : The specified item was not found.
Life is a Highway
Look i't's a 7 seats car, it must be a (sustainable) Community geek ! No way, I wonder if it was done on purpose but is license plate is FAQ ! Spot the Community geeks and Mentors while driving (eyes still on the read as per legal regulations does apply !).
UP (In the air)
SAPMentors are big fan of the learning curve which takes you places by rising your competencies and social skills... Keep it ... UP !
With all these SAPMentors around, it had to happen, run into a SAPMentor or Community peer and start engaging ! (as featured in Mark Yolton's key message during SAP TechEd Keynote in Berlin : get connected ! meet & engage !).
On behalf of the SAPMentors extended family,
All the best & Talk to you soon,
My five cents,
Martin
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