SIGNAVIO: Together As One
This podcast presents an audiobook about Signavio, a startup that became a leader in business process management. It traces the company's journey from its early days to a major acquisition, drawing on firsthand accounts and research. The narrative covers key challenges such as technological shifts and cultural integration, highlighting the leadership traits that shaped its success. It offers insights for tech leaders on scaling, innovation, and strategic M&A.
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Bonus Chapter: Karolina Decker – Building Families and Companies
In this heartfelt conversation, Blake Innes interviews Karolina and Gero Decker about their journey as partners in life. From their first meeting to raising a family and navigating the challenges of balancing personal dreams with shared responsibilities, they open up about the moments that shaped their bond. Karolina and Gero share stories of travel, parenting, and the values that guide their rela
Chapter 1: Introduction
Every great journey begins with a spark. Meet Gero Decker and the incredible tale of Signavio, born from resilience, innovation, and teamwork. This chapter sets the stage for an unforgettable ride through triumphs, lessons, and the vision that built one of Germany’s most remarkable software companies.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 2: The Drive to Create
What drives a visionary? Gero explores his roots, sharing how his father’s entrepreneurial spirit and his family’s resilience shaped his path. This chapter is a deep dive into the early passions that ignited the fire behind Signavio’s success.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 3: For the Love of Technology
What happens when curiosity meets cutting-edge tech? Gero’s journey through academia and process optimization at HPI birthed a vision. Listen to this chapter to discover how one idea sparked a global movement for business transformation. www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 4: Starting Up
From a university project to a game-changing startup, this chapter reveals the chaos, creativity, and courage it takes to build a business from scratch. If you’ve ever wondered how dreams take flight, this one’s for you.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 5: Getting in the Groove
Building a thriving business isn’t just about strategy; it’s about culture. Peek inside Signavio’s unique work environment, where camaraderie, trust, and a family vibe became the secret ingredients for success.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 6: Stumbling Forward
Success is rarely a straight line. From cultural missteps to sales stumbles, this chapter highlights the messy, human side of entrepreneurship - and the resilience it takes to keep going.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 7: Thank You for the Drink!
A chance encounter, an unlikely rival, and an idea that changed everything. This chapter tells the story of how a competitor became an accidental ally in Signavio’s global expansion.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 8: The Promised Land
The allure of Silicon Valley draws Signavio into the heart of global tech innovation. This chapter reveals the culture shocks, the inspiration, and the boundless ambition that defined the next leg of their journey.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 9: Rolling Along
When opportunity knocks, adaptability answers. Follow Signavio’s leap into new markets, including the launch of its Singapore office, as the team learns to navigate uncharted waters with trust and spontaneity.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 10: Taking a Breath
Scaling isn’t just about growth; it’s about balance. In this chapter, Gero reflects on navigating fierce competition while staying true to customer needs and long-term vision.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 11: Big Money
Funding can change everything - or ruin it. Discover how Signavio navigated its first major investment deal, balancing ambition with the fear of losing what made them unique.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 12: Back to the Crunch
Every growth story has its struggles. Join Signavio as it faces scaling challenges, relocates to Boston, and reimagines its approach to building a stronger, smarter team.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 13: Houston, We Have a Problem
What do you do when the stakes get higher, and the strategy must shift? This chapter reveals Signavio’s bold pivot from engineering-driven decisions to Go-To-Market excellence.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 14: For the Love of Fun
When the going gets tough, the tough… find joy. This chapter explores how laughter, teamwork, and an unshakable belief in their mission helped Signavio navigate technical crises and team transformations.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 15: Raising the Ambition Level
Competing with giants isn’t for the faint of heart. Dive into Signavio’s entry into the Process Mining arena and the lessons learned in disrupting the status quo.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 16: Hitting the Breaks
Sometimes, the best way forward is to pause. This chapter takes you inside the moments of reflection and reinvention that shaped Signavio’s next big leap.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 17: The Acquisition
How does it feel to hand over your life’s work? Gero shares the behind-the-scenes story of SAP’s acquisition of Signavio - a transformative partnership that promised to redefine the future of business processes.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 18: Post-Merger Integration
Merging startup agility with corporate scale is no easy feat. This chapter uncovers the delicate balance of preserving culture, driving innovation, and navigating corporate challenges.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 19: Settling In
Leadership transitions and personal milestones collide in this intimate chapter, as Gero reflects on maintaining momentum while building deeper connections with his team and family.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 20: Rise, Rise, Rise!
From launching groundbreaking innovations to outpacing competitors, this chapter is a celebration of milestones, resilience, and a team determined to change the game.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 21: On to New Frontiers
Gero steps back and takes a new perspective, shaping the future of transformation. Discover how stepping out of the day-to-day sparked fresh ideas and deeper connections across SAP.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Chapter 22: To Infinity
Signavio’s story is about more than a company - it’s about people. In this heartfelt finale, Gero honors the collective contributions that built a culture, drove innovation, and made history.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Acknowledgments
THANK YOU to all of the great Signavians along the way. It is a pleasure to work with you every day. THANK YOU to all of our customers and partners, this book is also for you. You are the reason why we continue to push ourselves every day. THANK YOU to Blake Innes who has been critical in writing this book with me.THANK YOU to Abdurahman Hale for organizing the beautiful cover of the book and help
Bonus Chapter: Torben Schreiter – From Startup Grit to Climate Impact
In this chapter, Torben reflects on Signavio’s early days, from scrappy solutions to scaling an industry leader. He then shifts to his work as a climate tech VC, backing innovations in geothermal energy, carbon removal, and bioenergy. Through both journeys, he explores resilience, efficiency, and why bold ideas drive both business success and a greener future.www.linkedin.com/in/gerodecker/
Bonus Chapter: Stefan Krumnow – From Open Source to Global Leadership
Stefan Krumnow shares his incredible journey from the origins of the Oryx project at Hasso-Plattner-Institute to becoming a key leader at Signavio. In this bonus chapter, Stefan recounts the early days of building a groundbreaking startup, the evolution of Signavio’s engineering and Go-To-Market functions, and his personal growth from coding to leading global teams. Learn about pivotal moments, li
Bonus Chapter: Willi Tscheschner and Nicolas Peters – Building the Foundations of Success
In this bonus chapter, co-founders Willi Tscheschner and Nicolas Peters reflect on their journey of turning a university project into a global success story. From the early days of innovation and long nights in the office to navigating critical milestones like scaling their team and the SAP acquisition, they share insights into leadership, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. T
Bonus Episode: Gerrit de Veer über Leidenschaft, Lernen und Erfolg
In dieser Bonus-Episode teilt Gerrit de Veer seine faszinierende Reise mit Signavio, von den ersten Treffen im Berliner Büro bis hin zur globalen Expansion und der späteren SAP-Akquisition. Er spricht über die Herausforderungen beim Aufbau eines innovativen Vertriebsmodells, den Wert von Teamarbeit, kulturelle Unterschiede und wie ein starkes Mindset entscheidend zum Erfolg beiträgt. www.linkedin.
