Top 5 Blog Posts on SAP Business Trends, Nov. 18 – 22

It’s all about the data on this week’s Top 5 blog posts from SAP Business Trends, whether you’re using cloud tools to analyze data faster and more valuably, social media to share information around the globe in a flash or charting the most efficient path for disaster rescue and relief.

Most HR, finance and IT managers have a geographically dispersed workforce, but few consider themselves to be “very effective” when it comes to workforce analytics.

No. 1: Stop Wasting Time on HR Reporting

Organizations spend an average of 17 hours every week producing HR reports that are instantly out of date, yet the time spent on those reports has increased over the last five years. Get up to date with a report by Shawn Price about cloud tools that can enable quick analysis and valuable insights.

No. 2: 3 Business Lessons We Learned from #SFBatkid

The Caped Crusader descended on San Francisco this month to help bring to life a 5-year-old leukemia patient’s dream of being a superhero. It’s Debra Curtis-Magley to save the day, looking at the collaborative global celebration of Batkid’s exploits around Gotham City by the Bay — and the lessons we can learn from them.

No. 3: How Big Data and Social Mapping Aid Typhoon Haiyan Relief Efforts

The death toll from Typhoon Haiyan could reach 10,000 in the Philippines, but big data analytics enabled rescuers to reach many others just in time. Anirvan Ghosh details social mapping, which provided a comprehensive, data-driven map of the areas that rescuers should target first, as well as the quickest ways to reach them.

No. 4: The Best Customer Advocacy Program on the Planet: Meet the SAP Mentors

Advocacy programs can benefit companies in many ways, such as humanizing the brand, fostering open user dialogue and recognizing enthusiastic customers and partners. After attending two of the three SAP TechEd 2013 events, Gail Moody-Byrd guides us through SAP’s esteemed online community: the SAP Mentor initiative.

No. 5: Best Holiday Shopping Deals: Are Businesses Ready?

The days of Thanksgiving preceding the American Christmas shopping season are over. You won’t believe the holiday deals as Richard Howells explains why many in the U.S. will have their holiday shopping done before Thanksgiving dinner, as well as the changing roles of Black Friday, Cyber Monday and mobile purchases. Actually, you probably will.

Follow Derek on Twitter: @DKlobucher