A private SAP Advisory Practice for C-suite leaders
Expert one to one guidance to help you manage and negotiate commercial escalations and keep troubled SAP transformation programs on track.
The Inner Circle is a private, invitation-only advisory service for high-risk SAP transformation programs.
Designed for C-level and aspiring C-level leadership, Program and Delivery Executives who carry ultimate accountability.
It is for those who are —
✔️ Sponsoring, overseeing or accountable for SAP transformation programs including ECC→S/4HANA
✔️ Managing SAP project commercial issues, complexities or spiralling costs
✔️ Negotiating escalations, disputes or strained relationships with SAP, SIs, vendors or strategic customers
✔️ Answerable to boards, executive teams or investors when programs slip or confidence drops
If you are the one ultimately responsible for SAP program risk, then this service is designed for you.
THE REAL PROBLEM
"Transformation programs rarely fail because of technology — they fail because of misalignment, unclear commercial constructs, hidden scope and customisation decisions, underestimated data and cutover risks, and governance that breaks under pressure."
WHY SAP LEADERS TRUST ASHLEY
Ashley brings a rare blend of SAP escalation leadership and commercial negotiation expertise — the kind executives rely on when transformation programs come under pressure. His experience includes:
Lead Negotiator at Accenture Global Resolution Excellence Centre, supporting complex technology and transformation programs across international markets.
Former Head of Commercial Escalations at SAP across Asia Pacific and UK/Ireland, personally involved in more than 160 S/4HANA escalations.
Former Dispute Resolution Executive at IBM resolving more than 500 major escalations across large-scale technology programs.
Deep expertise in SAP commercial constructs, vendor–system integrator dynamics, and executive-level alignment under pressure.
First-hand understanding of every side of the table — vendor, system integrator, customer, contracts, and delivery.
Independent, commercially balanced, and pragmatic trusted by leaders navigating complex transformation environments.
Ashley’s particular strength lies in restoring alignment where it has begun to fracture — between client, vendor, system integrator and other key stakeholders.
He understands how commercial constructs, delivery pressure, executive expectations and contractual obligations interact — and how misalignment between them can quietly destabilise a program long before it becomes a formal dispute.
Independent, commercially balanced and pragmatic, he is trusted by leaders navigating high-stakes transformation environments.
The Inner Circle provides private 1:1 advisory access to Ashley for leaders managing high-stakes situations.
WHAT YOU GET
✔️ Monthly 1:1 executive session (up to 3 hours)
Deep, focused time on your real issues
✔️ Direct access to Ashley between sessions — for urgent matters
When a situation flares up and you need guidance on what to say, what not to say, or how to position your next move.
✔️ SAP-specific escalation and negotiation frameworks
Approaches drawn from hundreds of SAP and large-scale technology escalations, tailored to your situation.
✔️ A copy of Ashley’s bestselling book ‘The Man Who Defuses Bombs’
packed with insights from 25+ years of high-stakes negotiation.
✔️ Access to Ashley’s online program – Negotiation for Commercial Escalations
Over 5 hours of material that supports the way you think about escalation, resolution and negotiation in complex programs.
Ashley works with only a small number of Inner Circle clients at any time to ensure depth and responsiveness.
About Ashley Saltzman
I have spent more than 25 years resolving high-stakes escalations and troubled transformation programs.
Today, as Accenture’s Strategic Negotiator in its Global Resolution Excellence Centre, I’m called in when a major program gets into trouble — facing commercial escalations or disputes that the project team can’t resolve on their own.
Over my career at Accenture, SAP, IBM and MYOB, I’ve led the negotiations and resolution of multi-million-dollar escalations and rebuilt critical relationships under intense pressure.
As SAP’s former Head of Commercial Escalations across Asia Pacific Japan and later the UK & Ireland, I have guided executive teams and resolved the commercial challenges of more than 160 S/4HANA troubled programs.
Before that, at IBM, I negotiated the resolution of over 500 major escalations across Australia and New Zealand.
Known as “the man who defuses bombs,” I am the person leaders turn to when a transformation becomes politically sensitive, commercially tense, or at risk of derailing.
My purpose with the Inner Circle is simple: to share my skills and experience with the leaders who need to know but are rarely taught — so they can handle these situations with confidence.
ARE YOUR PROJECT PROFESSIONALS LOOKING FOR A COMMUNITY FORUM?
JOIN OUR FREE MONTHLY ROUNDTABLE
UPCOMING ROUNDTABLES
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about this event? Check the FAQ's below.
What makes The Inner Circle unique?
The Inner Circle isn’t coaching, or a lecture, or a training session. It’s Ashley’s unique concept and it’s like nothing else. Your problems set the agenda!
The real situations you’re dealing with right now are discussed in real time - in the strictest confidence. Ashley provides his insights and guidance, the questions he’d ask, the facts he’d gather and the negotiation moves he’d make.
How is this different from other coaching programs forums?
This is not a coaching program, but a 1:1 advisory service for C-level and senior executives working on business and digital transformation.
Ashley shares the frameworks and negotiation strategies he uses to resolve multi-million-dollar commercial escalations, and he will work through how best to resolve your own challenges.
Who typically attends?
Senior business and technology leaders — C-suite executives, program directors, transformation leads, client and delivery executives, legal and commercial managers. Anyone responsible for managing programs, handling tough commercial escalations and protecting key relationships.
Why if my project is not ‘in crisis’ yet’?
Many attendees join before things go wrong — to gain the mindset and tools to prevent small problems from turning into full-blown escalations.
How much time will I need to commit?
The Inner Circle is an online monthly executive advisory service for up to 2 hours per month.
How will this help me for my specific situation?
The frameworks Ashley shares are designed for any large-scale transformation program or high-stakes commercial challenge.
Whether your project is only starting to show strain or is already in full escalation, you’ll leave with practical tools you can tailor to your own context.
Can I see The Inner Circle in action first?
Yes. We want to make sure you are comfortable that this is for you.
That’s why we have a free preview event called The Roundtable - you can check it out here https://www.ashleysaltzman.com/the-roundtable
Please fill in the details and we’ll keep you informed when we are running our next live Roundtable.
Want to know more?
Contact Ashley here to discuss The Inner Circle service for you.
Look out for Ashley’s article in the 2026 ANZSAP Magazine out in March!
Available at all major online book stores
Driven by curiosity and built on purpose, this is where bold thinking meets thoughtful execution. Let’s create something meaningful together.