This week at Microsoft’s Future Decoded event in London, I was delighted to launch a new book ‘Thinking of… Building a Microsoft Cloud Operating Model: Ask the Smart Questions’. Written in partnership with Sean Morris, New Signature UK’s Head of Consultancy, and IT experts Ray Bricknell and Frank Bennett FRSA, the book is aimed at those who want to affect a change in the way IT services and specifically cloud services are consumed and delivered across a business. Its undeniable that technology has bounced up the agenda in every business. With the rate of technological innovation and the pervasive use of cloud computing, it is a juggling act to ‘not get left behind’ never mind ‘get ahead’. So, we wanted to create a book that would help individuals, wherever they sit in the organisational structure, to get started on that journey and know the right questions to ask. This book describes a model for how a business will combine technology (the legacy IT with the innovation of cloud computing), with the complexity of the ever-increasing reliance on technology. Relevance for business and technology functions Unlike other books, we wanted to provide relevance for business and technology people alike, so it has been written with two distinct sections. Volume one is aimed at business leaders and those concerned with shaping an organisation and is written in a non-technical form. The second volume is aimed at technology managers and their teams, responsible for solving and specifying how technology is implemented throughout a business. This volume is written for those with technical knowledge and asks specific questions that will help to direct future thinking. At the end of each chapter, there is a series of questions that can be used in internal operation meetings to inform debate. The questions can also be used externally to shape discussions with IT Vendors and partners. Bringing the team together around a Cloud Operating Model A measure of a successful company is how it is harnessing technology and how that is both an offensive and defensive strategy. This is vital a world where there is a long list of established businesses going from glory to bust. Building a Cloud Operating Model and making it the backbone of the organisation’s IT infrastructure will set every business on the right path. To really succeed, there needs to be more communication and collaboration across the whole enterprise, so we wanted this a guide to stimulate discussion, as future technology decisions are made. When non-technical and technical audiences come together, there will be a mutual understanding of what is on the other’s mind. We guarantee this book will be a useful tool for staff at all levels of an organisation, from top down to bottom up, to ensure that future technology decisions are made and implemented wisely for continued business success. Get your copy now Published by Smart Questions, the book is now available digitally and in print format priced at £16.99 from Amazon or $26.99 from Barnes & Noble. If you are interested in developing a Cloud operating model within your business and would like some help, reach out to a New Signature expert.