United VARs member, All for One Group SE, is a leading international IT, consulting, and service provider specialising in SAP technologies and implementations. With more than 4,000 customers and offices in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Turkey, and Egypt, it supports companies through every stage of their digital transformation.
When Ursula Porth joined as Chief Human Resources Officer in late 2023, she took on a wide remit. Her responsibilities span all people aspects from talent acquisition to payroll globally, as well as post-merger integration and internationalization.
It's a complex role. But Ursula’s approach to talent is refreshingly straightforward, "Help people feel they can make an impact, and show them the company is invested in helping them do just that".
Not a Fan of the Phrase ‘War For Talent’
When we asked Ursula if she'd talk to us for our 'War for Talent' blog series, she told us she's not a fan of the phrase ‘war for talent’.
"Just the word ‘war’ is difficult these days," she says. "It’s more about being smart. Attracting and retaining the right people, yes, but also improving how we work so we can respond to the shortage of skilled professionals in a sustainable way.
"Finding senior consultants is getting harder," she explains. "It’s not just about hiring juniors and training them. We need the right mix of seniority and skills across our teams to deliver quality and be able to scale."
Attracting Talent, But Developing It Differently
To meet the growing demand for senior SAP consultants and other key roles, All for One is investing in how they attract and develop their people.
"We refreshed our employer value proposition at the end of last year," says Ursula. "We now show authentic images of our people who are a real mix of ages, backgrounds, and cultures. That’s who we are. And it reflects the kind of candidates we want to attract.
"Despite the market being tough, we’ve got a strong hiring pipeline. When I speak to candidates, they tell me we feel like a place where they can make an impact. That we’re small enough to care, but big enough to build a career in."
Development plays a central role in retention too. Internal training is managed through ‘One Academy in All For One’, which is a company-wide platform that brings together soft skills training, SAP certifications, and consultancy-specific development.
Ursula explains, "Leadership is critical. We’ve built a kind of virtual world, our Leadership Ecosystem, where managers can choose what they need and move through at their own pace. They’re supported with peer groups, coaching, mentoring, and classic training. It’s something we’re continually investing in."
All For One’s professional development ethos
“The United VARs Academy Definitely Helps with our Talent Retention”
Alongside internal learning programs, All for One regularly sends consultants, sales, and pre-sales colleagues to the United VARs Academy. For Ursula, it’s an ideal complement to what the company already offers.
"Giving our people more global exposure is one of the reasons we’re part of the United VARs network," she says. "We get asked about this in interviews all the time. Candidates want to know how international we are. If they can they learn from different cultures and work with other countries".
The United VARs Academy is a one-week, in-person learning experience for consultants and project managers working at a United VARs member company. It covers cultural awareness, international project management, and practical collaboration across borders. Participants learn from experts at SAP and AWS, hear directly from host member CEOs, and take part in team-building experiences that reflect the local culture.
You can find out more about the Academy in the first blog in our ‘War for Talent’ series, How United VARs Helps its Members Win the ‘War for Talent’
"It gives people that international setting, without us having to build it all ourselves," Ursula says. "They learn how consultants from other countries approach projects, how people think and work, and they get to be part of something bigger."
That sense of belonging often leads to a lasting impact. "The Academy definitely helps with our talent retention. People feel seen and supported. They come back grateful. They feel good about the experience."
What About The Time And Cost Implications?
Some United VARs members may hesitate to send employees away for a week. Ursula understands the concern.
"Our consultants need to be billable, so taking someone out for a week can be a challenge. That’s why we coordinate closely with managers to spread participants across teams."
But for high performers and future leaders, she believes the investment is essential. "If you don’t invest in them, and give them enriching experiences then you’ll risk losing them completely."
Bigger Impact, Stronger Connections
For All for One, the Academy’s value isn’t just about upskilling. It’s also about how people feel when they return.
"It’s an investment in the person. And they see that. That alone helps with retention," Ursula says. "But it’s more than that. They come back with different perspectives. They’ve seen how others work. They’ve had experience collaborating across cultures. That opens everyone up"
Ursula’s team recently gathered feedback from Academy participants. "They told us the networking was a highlight. They valued seeing how other partners approach their projects. And they said the cultural experience helped them grow personally. That combination really stuck with them."
In some cases, the experience has even shaped how those individuals approach their work long-term. "It gives them confidence. They feel part of something bigger than just their team or country. That matters."
What’s Next For HR? More Diversity, More Action
While some companies are scaling back diversity efforts in the current political climate, Ursula and her team are pushing ahead. Diversity is embedded in All for One’s sustainability goals and even tied to board-level compensation.
"For me, diversity is not just about gender," she explains. "It’s age, cultural background, sexual orientation, and much more. We have to reflect the diversity of the world if we want to serve it properly. It’s not just nice to have. It’s a real business need."
That focus will only grow as the company continues to expand. "We want to attract people who bring different experiences and viewpoints. That’s how you build better teams. And better outcomes for customers."
Ursula’s message to fellow HR leaders is simple. Keep investing in people. Keep offering them something meaningful.
If you're wondering whether sending some of your talent to the United VARs Academy is worth it, Ursula advises, "Ask yourself what happens if you don’t. These are your high performers. If you want to keep them, I encourage you to show them that you’re willing to invest in them and help them to excel in international SAP projects as part of the United VARs global alliance."
For more information, and to book places, go to the academy landing page on the members-only United VARs Hub. (If you don’t have access, please contact Carol Li.)
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Freelance B2B Copywriter & Comms Consultant /SaaS/AI/ESG/DE&I
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