Joshua Feinberg and Emil Sayegh discuss the evolution of cloud computing, noting that while SaaS and public cloud are now well-established, there was initial skepticism and fear among IT managers in the early 2000s.
They highlight the ongoing debate between public and private cloud, emphasizing virtualization's importance in optimizing server use.
Emil stresses that the focus should be on the use case rather than the technology itself.
Joshua adds that understanding product-market fit and iterative improvements in sales, marketing, and partnerships are crucial for success in the cloud industry.
This video is excerpted from the podcast Ep. #62 Emil Sayegh, Serial Tech and Data Center CEO of Profit Growth Insights | Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast.
Action Items
- Explore the historical patterns of what has worked well for sales, marketing, customer success, and channel partnerships in the cloud/SaaS industry.
- Investigate where the cloud/SaaS industry is headed next and look into the future trends.
- Focus on the use case rather than the specific technology (public cloud vs. private cloud) when developing go-to-market strategies.
Outline
Evolution of Cloud Adoption
- Joshua Feinberg discusses the historical context of cloud adoption, noting that SaaS and public cloud were not always well-established industries.
- He mentions the fear and job security concerns that IT managers had regarding cloud adoption in the early to mid-2000s.
- The conversation highlights the significant effort required to advance the value proposition and build trust in cloud solutions.
- Joshua emphasizes the importance of educating different segments to take cloud seriously, which has led to the current state of acceptance.
Public vs. Private Cloud Debate
- Emil Sayegh acknowledges that the debate between public and private clouds continues, focusing on the necessity of virtualization to maximize server use.
- He notes that while public cloud adoption has increased, the use case for each cloud solution still needs to be considered.
- Emil stresses the importance of marketing and messaging that focus on the use case rather than just the features of the cloud service.
- The discussion highlights the evolving comfort levels of public cloud solutions and the need for technological adaptation.
Marketing and Use Case Focus
- Emil Sayegh points out that marketers often focus on features rather than the actual use case, which is crucial for understanding the value of the cloud service.
- He suggests that the choice between public and private clouds should be based on the application's specific needs and goals.
- Joshua Feinberg agrees, noting the constant need for iteration and adaptation in sales, marketing, and product development.
- The conversation underscores the importance of understanding historical patterns and anticipating future trends in cloud adoption and technology.
Challenges in Product-Market Fit
- Joshua Feinberg shares insights on the challenges of achieving product-market fit, especially for well-established companies transitioning to new software versions.
- He mentions the essential role of channel partners in the transition process and the constant need for iterations and cycles.
- The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the historical patterns that have worked in sales and marketing.
- Joshua emphasizes the need to look into the future and anticipate the next steps in cloud adoption and technology.
Resources
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