Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

The Big Themes:CIO role change: CIOs are facing a shifting role in the age of AI. While AI technologies are automating many routine tasks and processes, CIOs are increasingly focusing on enabling business transformation, fostering a culture of innovation, and ensuring that AI is used strategically to empower employees.Evolution of technology: AI and technological advancements are part of the natural evolution of the business world. There’ve been similar discussions and concerns when new technologies, such as mini-computers, local area networks, and the internet, emerged in the past. AI is the latest technology that is changing how businesses operate.Empowering employees: AI and automation are liberating employees from routine, low-value tasks, allowing them to focus on more strategic and high-value work. This transformation in responsibilities can lead to more engaged and empowered employees as they move from mundane tasks to more meaningful work.The Big Quote: ” . . . not just AI, but technology will eliminate more and more routine, low-thought jobs, and high muscle or high danger jobs, warehouse jobs, loading ships, jobs, construction jobs, we’ve got to accept that it’s going to change . . . how do we redeploy our human resources, our people, some of whom have been with us 20, 30, 40 years, and let that be the driver of the process, instead of being enslaved by the process?”

Challenges and Strategies in Tech Industry EcosystemsThe Big ThemesIndustry-specific applications: The tech industry is witnessing a significant shift towards industry-specific applications and the importance of ecosystems. Tech vendors are grappling with challenges in aligning their strategies with the evolving landscape, where industry expertise and partnerships play pivotal roles.Strategy sequence: Ashlyn outlines a four-point sequence for effective strategy implementation in the tech industry. This sequence is comprised of identifying growth drivers; crafting differentiated messages; cross-functional campaigns; and sales enablement.Generative AI impact: The rise of generative AI is impacting the tech industry's approach to strategies and messaging. The presence of generative AI is creating accelerators in the market, lowering barriers to entry for new ideas and campaigns. As a result, tech companies should start implementing their strategies as early as possible. The Big Quote: "You have messaging that's so high level that it almost doesn't say anything, or it says the same thing as everyone else. There are probably hundreds of businesses pushing out messaging about accelerating digital transformation, for instance. There's got to be this middle ground in between [being] so technical, that it's only attractive to a small handful of people and doesn't break through and so high level that your eyes sort of glaze over, and it doesn't capture attention. That is where we see the industry strategies and the partner strategies really helping."

Episode 15 | Building Recruitment TrustThe Big ThemesContingent agency vs. other recruiting models: The differences between contingent search (fee-based recruitment paid upon successful placement) and other recruiting models, like retained agencies and social recruiting, are explored, emphasizing the value of contingency agencies in today’s job market. Contingency agencies mean less risk for the client.Connecting with good candidates: Todd explains he has a good team, with many senior people who get that it’s about really understanding who that candidate is and that the candidate is an individual in addition to his or her resume. The focus shouldn’t be on sending a large number of resumes along to the client, but on the quality of the candidates.Opportunities in a down market: In a down market with layoffs and increased talent availability, there are still critical hiring needs. Companies must focus on essential positions, and this presents opportunities for recruiters who can deliver quality candidates efficiently. The Big Quote: “LinkedIn is a huge asset, but, because the market is so soft, and there’s so many people in the marketplace, the postings on LinkedIn are more frustration than benefit. Because of social recruiting, a lot of candidates think that they should be following LinkedIn when in actuality they shouldn’t, they should actually be engaging with people like Todd and his team.”

Episode 33 | Transparency for Customer and Partner RelationshipsThe Big Themes:Maintaining strong partner relationships: The partners ecosystem is a key component to delivering value to customers, especially within the enterprise software industry. Workday emphasizes how much partners have contributed to its growth, so it prioritizes maintaining a healthy partners ecosystem.Customer reviews: By actively seeking customer reviews, companies can build credibility and maintain strong customer relationships. Partners asking customers for reviews is indicative that the partner stands by their work and demonstrates transparency in their operations. Sharing the customers’ voices also indicates which partners ensure customers have an excellent experience.Workday’s AI approach: At Workday Rising, the company emphasized trustworthiness, its data foundation, and being human-centric as three key elements of its approach to AI. While there are many technological advancements happening, Workday still prioritizes trust and transparency to maintain its connection with its customers.Sponsored by NetSuiteThe Big Quote: “A software vendor is only as good as their partners because the customer doesn’t see any delineation in their implementation between Workday themselves and the partner that’s helping them… It’s really important for Workday and really any enterprise software vendor to make sure that their partners are doing a great job and delivering in a consistent way because, ultimately, that’s how the customer is going to rate the vendor

Episode 30 | Embracing the Future TodayNote: this episode contains explicit language.The Big ThemesDigital transformation reshapes industries: McDonald's has seen a significant shift in its sales, with 40% of its revenue coming from apps, delivery, or kiosk orders. This reflects the growing preference for digital ordering and the decline of in-person dining, prompting changes in restaurant layouts and services.AI's impact on creativity and innovation: AI is influencing various aspects of creativity, including the generation of creative content like movie scripts and even the creation of consumer products like Coca-Cola flavors. Christopher had a ChatGPT song in the style of Tom Waits and thought it did a great job.Technological advancements come in unexpected ways: There's a ripple effect with scientific research and exploration. Breakthroughs in one area can lead to advancements in various other fields. Researchers developed new technology, such as AI and deep-sea exploration equipment, as a result of their search for interstellar objects.The Big Quote: "If you look back in history, America's striving for the moon and space travel . . .[what] doesn't get talked about are all of the sub-breakthroughs that it led to, many of which form the basis of our industry: miniaturization, communication. All these things lead us to the internet and ultimately impact how we think about computing and a lot of other things."

What's Next With DataThe Big ThemesBusiness and IT convergence: IT and business operations are increasingly converging. CEOs and executives are recognizing the critical role of technology in achieving strategic business objectives. Juergen is seeing more and more "fusion teams" where IT and business come together.Generative AI impact: Generative AI is a transformative technology with significant implications across industries. Businesses are exploring how generative AI can enhance operations, decision-making, and create entirely new opportunities. Business that are still on-prem may see the advent of Gen AI as a pressing reason to move onto the cloud.Data management and data access: Effective data management is necessary for leveraging generative AI and other advanced technologies. SAP's Datasphere is an answer for remote data access and federation. The Big Quote: "No customer I'm aware of is successful with the central data lake. The efforts of bringing data together in their heterogeneous application landscape are just too big. And therefore, we firmly believe that data federation will be the prevailing method of accessing data."

Road to Oracle CloudWorld | CloudWorld Preview The Big ThemesAI capabilities: Customers will receive over 50 artificial intelligence (AI) use cases in Oracle applications including customer experience (CX), human capital management (HCM), and finance. AI can improve business processes and decision-making. Data quality and security are important for effective AI implementation.Business processes flow: Technology and business processes are evolving, shifting from traditional distinctions between front office and back office to a more integrated, end-to-end approach.What today’s talent wants: Employees not only seek job satisfaction but also expect opportunities for personal and career growth. Oracle recognizes this and has innovated within its HCM applications to meet these expectations.The Big Quote: “The employee base that’s coming in now . . . not only want to be happy, but their expectations as far as the company’s investment in terms of their own career growth and their own personal growth is just increasing . . . and between Oracle ME, Oracle Grow, and Celebrate within our HCM applications, while we do core HR and core payroll and core benefits, that’s where the innovation has been.”

Episode 32 | Optimize Your CloudWorld ExperienceThe Big ThemesExplore new technology. Identify areas of interest and focus your attention on them. Engage with fellow attendees to learn from their experiences and gain real-world perspectives on the technologies and partners showcased at the event. Take notes efficiently to capture important insights and share them with your team promptly.Partner selection. CloudWorld has upwards of close to 200 partners in the expo hall. It’s a very efficient way to meet potential partners to assist you with implementation. Go to the expo hall and use simple questions while interviewing as many partners as you can.Practical preparation. Opt for comfortable attire and shoes suitable for long walks as Oracle CloudWorld and other large events can involve a significant amount of walking. It’s appropriate to go business casual. Make sure to have a way in which you can easily take notes. Bonnie uses her iPad.The Big Quote: "Leave home your daily grind. It is tempting, and I'm speaking to myself here, to be checking emails throughout the event and be like, 'oh, my gosh, I just got to do this, I've got to do this, I've got to take this conference call.' This gives you the opportunity to be present. You have your out-of-office on, and people don't expect you to send emails back immediately, hopefully. Use this opportunity to really get deep, be present."

Road to Oracle CloudWorld | Cloud Giants UniteThe Big ThemesHistoric multi-cloud partnership: Oracle and Microsoft's recent meeting marks a historic collaboration in the world of cloud computing. Larry Ellison was on the Microsoft campus for the first time, appearing with Satya Nadella. This partnership signifies the culmination of years of effort in promoting multi-cloud tools, making it easier for customers to utilize both companies' services.Interconnected clouds: The integration between Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and Azure allows for a more seamless experience and eliminates the barriers customers face when dealing with different vendors. Customers can now use Oracle database services just like any other Azure service, simplifying operations and preserving existing commitments.Looking toward CloudWorld: The Oracle and Microsoft partnership announcement couldn't have come at a better time, setting the stage for significant discussions and presentations during CloudWorld, with real-life demos and details about different regions. Attendees can also expect a focus on generative AI at the event.The Big Quote: " . . . essentially, you're able to now use Oracle database services, just like you would any other Azure service. Whether it's a database service or a past service, the experience is no different. The great news is that you can use your Microsoft commitments, but you can also use all of your existing Oracle programs, whether it's your ULA [unlimited license agreement], your support rewards, [or] BYOL [bring your own license]."

Episode 39 |Gen AI’s Impact on BusinessThe Big Themes:The focus of technology buyers. Buyers are paying attention to Gen AI’s potential to transform a business. There are going to be increasingly more enhanced, or entirely new, roles, like prompt engineer, to help companies harness the power of new technology.Getting off the sidelines. Technology buyers and other executives who did not adopt technologies like the PC, internet, and mobile fast enough were left behind. Tony remembers people not understanding why they needed PCs when they had typewriters and thinks those not diving into Gen AI may be making a similar mistake.Turbocharged co-creation. Generative AI will enable the production of more exciting software tools and applications by creating new opportunities for collaborative platforms and leveling the playing field for contributors from varied technical backgrounds. Sponsored by NetSuiteThe Big Quote: “Gen AI has the opportunity to help us create collaborative platforms for co-creation, that will have capabilities that are just simply mindblowing. Because again, go back to, you don’t have to always be somebody who knows how to code, you don’t have to be somebody that knows how to do data analytics at a supercomputer level, right? The power of these tools will allow that.”