What do you do if your boss doesn't understand your ideas in Cloud Computing?

Focus on Benefits, not Tech Jargon: Instead of diving into technical details like virtualization, explain the cloud using analogies. Think of it like electricity - you pay for what you use, without needing to manage the power plant. Highlight how cloud computing can benefit the business, like cost savings, increased efficiency, and improved scalability. Consider what your boss cares about most. Is it saving money? Keeping data secure? Improving collaboration? Frame your explanation around their priorities. For example, talk about the cloud's security features if security is a major concern.

Its not always expected that your boss would be glued on to the latest and greatest tech. As practitioner, it’s your job to keep her updated and help take the right decision in the interest of the organisation.

It's not always assumed that your boss will be up-to-date with the latest technology trends. As a practitioner, it's your responsibility to keep them informed and assist in making informed decisions for the organization's benefit. Additionally, present various options along with their respective pros and cons, enabling them to evaluate and make the best decision.

Initiate the conversation by breaking down cloud computing concepts into digestible pieces. Use analogies that relate to familiar scenarios; for example, liken cloud services to utility services like electricity—used on-demand and paid for as per usage, which eliminates the need for extensive in-house infrastructure. This approach not only simplifies complex ideas but also connects them to tangible business advantages such as cost efficiency and operational agility. It's crucial to adjust your explanations to match your boss's technical grasp and to highlight the direct benefits to your organization's specific context.

Understanding the intricacies of cloud computing can be challenging, especially concerning cybersecurity. Educating bosses is paramount. I often employ analogies, like comparing the cloud to a secure vault where data is stored remotely but accessible when needed. Emphasizing scalability and on-demand services, I highlight how cloud solutions offer robust security measures akin to a fortress, protecting valuable assets from cyber threats. Tailoring explanations to their technical understanding and emphasizing the importance of security in achieving business objectives is crucial. Let's ensure leaders grasp the critical role of cybersecurity in the cloud era for safe, resilient operations.

There are multiple benefits of the cloud, but in such cases cost saving becomes one of the most important reasons. Here break down the costs and create a 2-3 year projection comparing the current model vs the cloud-based model. Do keep in mind there is a cost associated with migrations, where each migration is unique and has its own set of challenges.

Define Clear Goals: Clearly articulate what you want to achieve. Make sure your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

Every leadership team will always organizational goals and KPI's. At the end of the day Cloud Tech is just an enabler, and if you can read the sentiment well, you can put your knowledge of Cloud to good use to explain it business outcome and benefits, and not emphasize on the Cloud Technology itself. Explain and sell the benefits and final outcome that fulfills his/her KPI's and not the tech that enables it.

In 2012, I was seeking a new job opportunity in the Chicago area, with a particular interest in companies that were embracing cloud technology, such as AWS. During my job search, I interviewed with 10 companies and inquired about their current and future plans for cloud adoption. The response I received was: 'We are large, profit making enterprises, and the cloud is for startups. I chose not to join any of them, and now, they are on cloud or playing catch-up in the cloud space.

I would use some case studies of successful implementations of cloud computing within similar organisations to demonstrate my value proposition.

People tend to understand things better if it's compared and extended to what they already know. While making such comparisons whiteboarding diagrams, flowcharts, infographics help to establish a visual approval. Examples and Case studies makes them easier to connect with the introduced transformation in new ways of working. Keeping a hook to what people know from their past experience helps in connecting with them and also makes it simple for the learner to get it right, where visuals play an instrumental role.

Visuals can be a powerful tool but they need to kept as simple as possible when presenting to none technical business owners. I usually make a technical which is used to drive the project and communicated to engineers. When the concept is proven we make a simpler one to ensure that communication with executives is accurate and to the point. Correcting after the presentation creates roadblocks for future projects so present after POC if you have a lab environment where concepts can be proven.

Na hora de comparar, mostre proje??es, em termos de headcount, custo, esfor?o, de forma que demonstre com clareza qual a diferen?a entre o modelo On Premise e o Modelo Cloud. Leve em conta os custos de equipe, principalmente se o custo da folha for maior ou equiparado ao clusto de infra.

Utilize visual aids such as diagrams depicting the architecture of proposed cloud solutions or flowcharts illustrating process improvements to effectively communicate cloud computing concepts. These visuals enable your boss to grasp the "big picture" and comprehend the interaction of various components, dispelling misconceptions about the complexity or security of cloud-based systems.

Visual diagrams that are not much technical in nature is the key. While creating a visual diagram, it should be accompanied by a story which can be current example or something from previously completed project.

Sharing Success stories is very powerful. We also can take help of others to share the stories. Attending conferences or hosting a roundtable discussion with people/companies who done this already also help your boss to understand.

The best way to be successful in a new technology area is to copy the ideas of someone who was successful in that technology. Ask for advice, learn from their mistakes, and if it seems like a fit, move forward.

Sharing success stories is one of the top ways to convert non-techies into adopters of cloud-based technology. Leverage real-world stories, focusing on cross-over use cases, and present solutions without the technical jargon. While presentations and visuals can help tell those stories, the most powerful way is to make connections with other industry leaders who can share those stories from a "first person" perspective.

Leverage case studies and success stories from the industry, focusing on the tangible business outcomes achieved through cloud adoption. Highlight scenarios where similar organizations have realized significant gains in efficiency, agility, or innovation by integrating cloud solutions. By presenting these examples, you provide evidence of the cloud's potential impact, making it easier for your boss to envisage how similar strategies could be advantageous for your own organization. Ensure these narratives are relatable and free of technical jargon to maintain engagement and clarity.

Compartilhe cases que possam demonstrar concorrentes ou empresas do mesmo segmento de atua??o, ou ainda empresas do mesmo tamanho e com os mesmos problemas. Embora possa ser n?o intuitivo, mostre também cases de insucesso ou retorno ao on-premise, sempre pontuando com clareza, o que faz empresas voltarem para o On Premise, e a partir de qual volume/tamanho esse movimento é cogitado. Essa estratégia dá clareza de que Cloud de que sua sugest?o n?o é tendenciosa, e você n?o considera Cloud uma bala de prata, mostrando que você considera pontos positivos e negativos, essa percep??o refor?a o seu posicionamento como influenciador da decis?o.

Está quebra de expectativa é comum, normalmente falamos muito técnico e menos negócio. O segredo é se colocar no lugar dele, entender o que ele precisa e entregar valor. Nem sempre o valor está na solu??o mais rápida ou mais performática, as vezes está no mais simples. Alinhe sempre as expectativas!

Breaking down the concepts into simpler terms, providing proof of concept with metrics/ statistics . It's also important to listen to their concerns and address any questions they may have. Building a solid understanding together can lead to better collaboration and decision-making.

Fa?a a sugest?o de um projeto piloto para liderar esse movimento. Comece com um projeto de risco e criticidade controlada, considere que por ser algo novo, há imaturidade e haverá alguma curva de aprendizado, por isso n?o comece pelo pior problema. Tenha como alvo algo significativo, mas comece outro projeto de menor relevancia e risco, para que ele desbloqueie e libere recursos e conhecimento do time para mais tarde realizar o projeto alvo. O projeto-piloto deve ser mais simples que o alvo, porém com capacidade de demonstrar o valor entregue pela nova arquitetura de cloud.

Proving your point with POC is always useful then talking. However even for POC we need to do a bit of convening following different methods. So there is no single strategy or approach that works.

Lets take an example if there is a company that wants to improve its supply chain management. The company currently uses a combination of manual processes and on-premises software to manage its inventory, order fulfillment, and shipping. However, this approach is leading to inefficiencies, high costs, and poor visibility into the supply chain. The Company can pilot a cloud-based supply chain management system for a small subset of the company's products. They can focus on piloting on which product line that creates more value, and as well test Data migration, Integration, User adoption, Training, & Security. With this, one can identify Risks early in the stage & build a strong mitigation strategies to these scenarios for a successful pilot.

I think it would be a better idea if we can provide the training with some of the companies case studies who adopted cloud and they have reduced the cost of their company and they have solved many problems and have grown in their business.

To foster comprehension of cloud computing concepts, the individual should maintain transparent communication channels with their supervisor, encouraging inquiries and addressing any apprehensions raised. Furthermore, they should suggest engaging external experts or consultants specialized in cloud computing to offer insights and dispel any ambiguities. This collaborative approach facilitates clarity and mutual understanding, enabling both parties to collaborate effectively in identifying solutions that meet the organization's objectives and needs.

Training and education shouldn't be the last option on the list. While cloud offerings are great options for many scenarios, there is a broad continuum of on-premises through hybrid considerations to full cloud native options and architecture for many applications and designs. Top software, platform, and infrastructure teams spend valuable project time considering creative solutions in terms of frameworks and well-architected patterns. Top decision makers need exposure to successful options that solve both business and technical challenges. Cloud services and on-premises operations are complementary in many scenarios. This flexibility for the C-suite enables a higher degree of control over sensitive data, scalability, and cost.

In this day and age, you don’t need to attend a school or college to get relevant training. Find and offer your boss training on cloud computing that aligns with their goals. If possible, attend the trainings yourself and provide useful tidbits to show how modernizing into cloud computing not only offers dynamic scaling, but also cuts down on operating costs and increases efficiency across the board. Present case studies of organizations similar to yours that have taken the plunge; lastly, you can even stage pilot projects to show the benefits on a smaller scale. Training, whitepapers and other related material might be the nudge you need to make your case.

Frankly, My manager is fan of the cloud computing and encourage all of us to study about that. He believes that cloud computing and AI play key role in Technology.

Don’t ever be under the impression that your supervisor is supposed to understand anything about what you’re doing. It’s not their job. It’s yours. You’re supposed to know what you’re doing. They’re tasked with making sure you do it in an efficient and timely manner. But here’s my opinion… Just focus on making sure that YOU know your shit. The information you’re communicating should always be in context, simplified, researched, and obviously correct. The more you know about a subject, the easier it should be to explain it at an elementary level. Also, try to refrain from using over complicated tech jargon. Try to have natural conversations about technical subject matter. No one likes a show off, right?

Quit. It’s 2024, a boss that doesn’t understand a trend that started a decade ago is concerning. 1) how are they responsible for any kind of infrastructure when they clearly don’t understand cost of ownership. 2) how can you grow in an environment that doesn’t foster growth in an established and widely used pattern. On prem has its place, but it’s a whole other thing to not understand the economies of cloud a decade later.

Begin by highlighting the benefits of Cloud Computing with Business values & efficiencies. Perform a POC and demonstrate the results of managing technology roadmap with improved security, efficacy of technology operations, scalability, reliability & resiliency. Enunciate the top cloud security risks along with advantages of cloud computing to share a perspective. Align the discussion to emphasize the business goals associated with the flexibility of cloud computing

8. Seja empático Talvez suas ideias n?o tenham passado a mensagem correta. Tente se comunicar de forma diferente, preferencialmente de maneira simples e principalmente ou?a o que ele tem a dizer. Ele pode colocar quais s?o as preocupa??es, os pontos que precisariam de aten??o ou n?o foram esclarecidos e a vis?o do entendimento dele para que vocês possam chegar a uma conclus?o conjunta.