Episode Overview Kicking off 2025 with a 3 part series focussed on helping the executives and the C suite make impactful business decisions with technology.  For episode 1, we sit down with Jez Back, Cloud Economist & Finops Professional at Capgemini, to tackle one of the biggest boardroom conversations—cloud economics and strategy. With cloud costs rising, CFOs stepping into tech decisions, and efficiency becoming a top priority, we break down what really matters in 2025: cutting waste, maximizing value, and making smarter cloud investments. What’s Inside? 💡 Cloud Headlines You Need to Know The Chinese AI model, DeepSeek, that’s making waves with lower training costs Oracle’s big multicloud play—what it means for vendor lock-in Meta’s renewable energy push for data centers and what it means for sustainability 💰 Cloud Economics & CFOs: What’s Changing? Cost vs. Value: Why slashing budgets isn’t always the smartest move CapEx vs. OpEx: The accounting shift that’s reshaping IT spending SaaS Spend Gone Wild: 49% of licenses go unused, and 70% of contracts are managed outside IT—what’s going wrong? 🌱 Cloud & Sustainability—Are We Actually Going Green? GreenOps vs. FinOps: Where efficiency meets ESG goals The hidden environmental costs of cloud—water use, energy, and ‘net zero’ debates Balancing sustainability with business realities Key Takeaways ✔️ Tech decisions need transparency and predictability, not just cost-cutting✔️ The best cloud strategies are measured by business value, not just technical KPIs✔️ Sustainability matters, but cost efficiency still drives decisions✔️ Cloud repatriation? Hype vs. reality—here’s what’s really happening 💭 Final Thought:Cloud economics isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s about making the right investments, proving value, and staying ahead of the curve. 🎧 Tune in to Cloud Dialogues Episode 1 of 2025 and get the insights you need to lead cloud transformation this year! 🚀