Author: Max Jahn

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Am I the only one experiencing Gen AI fatigue?

Max Jahn,

Though Gen AI tools have been exciting in recent years, there has been a growing sense of exhaustion about them. According to Oguz Acar in Harvard Business Review, generative AI may already have reached its peak. Even though generative AI has had great success in the past, there are still so many structural issues to fix. In the current climate of FOMO, overheated discussions about generative AI are fueling a lot of projects. Stop the hype.

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Don’t hold your breath. The payoff of your cloud initiatives might take longer than you thought.

Max Jahn,

In a world focused on quick wins, this blog post offers a reality check on the long-term gains of cloud computing. Drawing on a comprehensive study, it highlights that the true ROI from cloud adoption often takes years to show up on the balance sheet. As we navigate digital transformation, the post provides a nuanced guide on evaluating the true time horizon for cloud ROI, urging patience and strategic planning for lasting benefits.

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Seeing Stripes? How to Tame the Cargo Cults in Your Tech Herd

Max Jahn,

Ever discovered painted horses masquerading as zebras in your tech landscape? My last post helped you spot these instances of cargo cults in tech – the adoption of innovations and trends without truly understanding the principles behind. This time, we’re focusing on the next crucial step: dismantling these misguided initiatives. In ‘Seeing Stripes? How to Tame the Cargo Cults in Your Tech Herd’, I share strategies to revert the influence of these ‘painted horses’ and foster an environment that breeds true zebras.

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Unveiling the Ghosts of Tech: A Framework to Identify and Navigate Cargo Cults

Max Jahn,

Cargo cult behavior is a perilous pitfall in the tech industry. It’s when an organization tries to copy the success of others without understanding the underlying concepts. This can lead to disillusionment, stagnation, and a loss of faith in leadership. It’s important to identify cargo cults in tech by evaluating whether a trend or tool has been implemented in letter or spirit. In my post I describe a framework that will help to spot this kind of dysfunctional behavior in your organization.

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Summit or Mirage? The Misrepresentation of Tech Progress Through the Mountain Metaphor

Max Jahn,

Mountain climbing is a popular metaphor for long and arduous business transformation projects, but it paints a false picture of technology’s constant change and evolution. The metaphor of climbing a mountain should be replaced with a more appropriate one that communicates the idea of continual progress and adaptation, rather than climbing a mountain.

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Dispelling the Universal Need for a Cloud Center of Excellence: When Your Organization Might Fare Better Without One

Max Jahn,

An increasingly popular choice for companies just getting started in the cloud is the Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE). Although a CCoE may be a useful resource for many companies as they make their way into the cloud, this is not always the case.
Before deciding whether a CCoE is the best option, each company must take a hard look at its own requirements, strengths, and long-term objectives. This post explores some indicators that setting up a CCoE might not be the perfect match for you.

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The Cloud Center of Excellence: A Modern Cargo Cult or Catalyst for Cloud Success?

Max Jahn,

The Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE) has become a must-have for organizations, but is it driven by the real need or a consultant-driven fad? To reap the benefits of the cloud, it is important to have a solid IT and cloud strategy first. A CCoE must be tailored to the organization’s specific requirements, goals, and context, not a generic one-size-fits-all solution. Strategic thinking before embarking on a CCoE journey is essential to unlock the full potential of the cloud and avoid the pitfalls of the cargo cult mentality

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The Great Team Topologies Adventure: Charting a Path to Organizational Success

Max Jahn,

In the ever-changing landscape of technology and business, organizations face immense challenges to stay competitive and innovative. As businesses continue to expand and evolve, the need for effective team organization becomes a critical factor in determining success. Enter Team Topologies, a guiding map that helps organizations navigate through the complexities of modern team structures, communication styles, and organizational design.

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