How do you wrangle the chaos of AWS cost tools and live presentations? In this episode of Screaming in the Cloud, Corey Quinn is joined by AWS’s Bowen Wang and Matt Berk to break down their re:Invent talk and everything that almost went off the rails. From surprise tsunami alerts to last-minute feature changes, they explore the anxiety and art behind presenting at scale. They also look at how power user feedback shapes tools like the AWS Pricing Calculator, why storytelling matters more than specs, and what it’s like co-presenting with notes that say “make the rabbit joke.” They also discuss AWS’s internal planning process, how customers can get involved in talks, and where to catch them next.
Show Highlights
(0:00) Intro
(1:38) The Duckbill Group sponsor read
(2:35) The importance of collecting feedback before launching a product
(4:52) The difference between the intended use of a product and how it’s actually used
(8:52) How Bowen and Matt were able to be so prepared for their presentation
(13:01) What many people don’t realize goes into practicing for a presentation
(17:14) How having a storyline helped Bowen and Matt facilitate better breakout sessions
(18:26) The Duckbill Group sponsor read
(21:02) The importance of being able to go with the flow during presentations
(22:42) Why knowing your audience is essential for having a good presentation
(24:32) Choosing between breadth and depth when giving presentations
(25:05) Bowen and Matt’s advice for people who want to have their opportunity to give a talk with an AWS service team
(34:22) How to keep up with Matt and Bowen
About Matt Berk
Matt Berk is an AWS Principal Technical Account Manager at based in Brooklyn who's passionate about storytelling, cloud technologies, and FinOps. When he's not solving customer issues, Matt can be either be found in nature with his dog Ollie, at popular NYC restaurants, or at home planning his next trip to a theme park.
About Bowen Wang
Bowen Wang is a Principal Product Marketing Manager for AWS Billing and Cost Management Services, where she focuses on enabling finance and business leaders to better understand the value of the cloud and ways to optimize their cloud financial management. In her previous career, she helped a tech start-up enter the Chinese market. When she's not helping customers optimize their cloud costs, you can find her cheering for F1 races with her husband or juggling life as a mom to an energetic toddler and a playful poodle.
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