CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Mr Bhavesh Goswami, Founder & CEO, CloudThat

1. Tell us about CloudThat and what services it offers.

Ans. As the Founder & CEO of CloudThat, I am proud to lead a company that has been the first in India to provide cloud training and consulting services since its inception in 2012. With my extensive experience in the IT industry, particularly in cloud technologies, I recognized the immense potential of the cloud and the need for specialized training and consulting services in this field.

When I returned to India from the US in 2011, the country’s cloud computing landscape was still in its infancy. At CloudThat, we saw this as an opportunity to make a difference and contribute to the growth of the Indian cloud ecosystem. We became India’s first cloud training organization, aiming to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills to leverage cloud technologies effectively.

Over the years, we have successfully trained over 6.5 lakh professionals in the cloud computing domain, helping them stay relevant and competitive in an ever-evolving industry. One of our key strengths lies in our expertise in multi-cloud environments. We have a highly skilled workforce capable of delivering comprehensive training and consulting services on all major public clouds, including Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and VMware. Our cloud consulting services encompass cloud migration, media services, DevOps and DevSecOps, contract staffing, data platforms, and managed services. Our goal is to empower businesses to harness the full potential of the cloud and drive innovation, agility, and cost-efficiency.

2. What challenges is CloudThat facing in the current market turmoil?

Ans. In the face of global IT layoffs impacting the corporate training sector, we have risen above adversity, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth. Our unwavering commitment to the stability and well-being of our employees has resulted in zero layoffs during this demanding period.

We empower our workforce through a comprehensive approach that includes cross-skilling, certifications, and acquiring expertise in cutting-edge technologies. By delving into realms such as OpenRAN (5G), Edge Computing, Industrial IoT, and advanced AI solutions like OpenAI ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Amazon Bedrock, we position ourselves at the forefront of the ever-evolving digital landscape.

The current Slowdown in the training domain has unexpectedly unlocked new doors for us. Previously focused on individual technologies like AWS, Azure, GCP, or VMware, our workforce is now mastering multiple technologies through strategic cross-skilling initiatives. This deliberate shift enhances our team’s overall capabilities and enables them to actively contribute to consulting projects, providing them with invaluable real-world exposure and experience.

3. How is CloudThat overcoming the challenges, and what is their future work plan?

Ans. Amidst the economic challenges posed by slowdowns, astute companies can uncover unique opportunities to thrive and drive transformation. These periods of economic downturn necessitate a thorough evaluation of operations, inspiring organizations to streamline processes, identify inefficiencies, and implement cost-cutting measures. This optimization of resources invariably results in heightened productivity and improved operational efficiency. Moreover, slowdowns act as catalysts for innovation, compelling companies to adapt, develop novel products and services and explore new business models to maintain competitiveness in evolving market conditions.

We have utilized this Slowdown to optimize our training sales and delivery processes while diligently upskilling our trainers. Furthermore, we have expanded our operations into promising geographies such as the USA, UK, Middle East, and Africa. With India experiencing substantial growth and global markets poised for a potential rebound in the upcoming quarter, we anticipate significant opportunities for expansion in the EdTech sector. Our strategic positioning places us in a favorable position to capitalize on this growth and emerge as leaders in the industry.

4. What changes is CloudThat planning to adopt with the current trend of AI?

Ans. At CloudThat, we recognize the pervasive influence of the AI effect across industries. The transformative power of AI innovations has extended its reach to every sector, starting from Sales, Marketing, Technical, Operations, etc. We envision that all industries need training in Generative AI. Generative AI, encompassing techniques like generative adversarial networks (GANs) and autoregressive models, offers significant benefits in Data Augmentation, Creative Content Creation, Personalization and Recommendation, Data Generation for Simulation and Training, and Virtual Avatars & Virtual Worlds.

We develop custom curriculum on platforms like Open AI ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Amazon Bedrock to meet our customers’ needs. AI also plays a vital role in delivering personalized learning experiences tailored to individual learners. Adaptive assessment methods and Learning Analytics allow us to accurately assess each participant’s Learning needs, leading to improved educational outcomes.

5. How is upskilling helping companies in bridging the skill gap at workplaces?

Ans. Continuous Learning is vital to success in the current business world. Relentless Learning is one of the core values of CloudThat. Upskilling offers a plethora of benefits to bridge the skill gaps. With upskilling, the employees’ productivity, innovation, and morale get a big boost. Cross-skilling your employees in closely related job roles and technologies will ensure your organization has no shortage of resources for any upcoming challenges. Overall, customer and employee satisfaction receive a boost and minimizes attrition rates.

According to a recent Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development survey, technology will transform 1.1 billion jobs over the next decade. AI and Machine Learning play a significant role in this transformation. The shift to green tech and the post-pandemic work culture are vital considerations. Organizations will face enormous challenges due to widening skill gaps if they are complacent in implementing reskilling programs. For the corporate sector, our unique Capability Development Framework (CDF) can assess the cloud skill gaps of their workforce and thus help them strategize and roll out upskilling programs to be cloud-ready.

6. How is Cloud Computing helpful for businesses, and why do you think it is necessary now?

Ans. Cloud Computing is no longer a niche technology that is part of tech jargon used in tech chats. It is integral to all-size businesses. Gartner forecasts worldwide public cloud end-user spending to reach nearly $600 billion in 2023. Also, Google Cloud Brand Pulse Survey, Q4 2022, says 41.4% of global tech and business leaders are increasing their investments in cloud and cloud products to face the current economic climate.

The current digital transformation spree and the post-pandemic world have accelerated the adoption of cloud computing as companies have had to adapt to remote work and digital business models quickly. Cloud computing solves the problem of managing enormous data by offering unlimited storage capacity and computing power, enabling businesses to keep up with the growing volume of data and demand for substantial computational power.

The rise of multi-cloud and virtualization further underscores the future direction of the cloud arena. Virtualization technologies enable organizations to abstract their IT infrastructure, making it more flexible, scalable, and efficient. As a cloud consulting company, we are well-positioned to guide organizations in navigating the multi-cloud landscape and leveraging virtualization technologies to maximize their cloud investments. Notably, the increasing demand for cloud certifications in leading platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud is a testament to the significance of cloud expertise in the industry.

The most important advantage of using Cloud computing is the competitive advantage. In today’s highly competitive business landscape, businesses can quickly adopt new technologies, experiment with innovative solutions, and respond faster to market demands by leveraging cloud services.

7. How do training and skill development help companies avoid layoffs?

Ans. Investing in training and skill development can help companies build a more resilient workforce, better adapt to changes, and prevent layoffs. According to Forbes, Amazon has invested $700 million to reskill workers by 2025. JP Morgan plans to invest $350 million in its workforce for the future of work.

Upskilling and Cross Skilling ensure that your organization is better prepared to accept newer challenges emerging in the market. With skill development, the laborious process of mass layoffs, recruiting fresh candidates, making them understand the organizational culture, and training them to be project ready can be avoided.

8. What do you suggest as a consultancy service provider to startups in terms of hiring new employees?

Ans. The job market demands problem-solving skills, creativity, and adaptability rather than qualifications alone. Mainly, Startup’s work culture is more vibrant and expects employees to multitask and be cross-skilled. Adaptability and quick learning abilities are two traits startups should investigate when they hire fresh employees.

Having said this, working for a startup should not make employees feel like they are in chaos. Startups need to define proper job roles & responsibilities, have an appropriate strategy for recruitment, conduct comprehensive interviews, build a brand name, and offer competitive compensation with growth opportunities. In a nutshell, I suggest startups focus on four critical traits in the future employees: Expertise, Industry awareness, Cultural alignment, and Adaptability,

9. What do you think about the future landscape of the workforce with AI being adapted across all sectors?

Ans. AI can augment human capabilities and increase productivity rather than a complete replacement for a human. A World Economic Forum report predicts that while machines with AI will replace about 85 million jobs in 2025, about 97 million jobs will be made available in the same year thanks to AI. AI will create new job roles requiring a mix of technical and soft skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. These roles include AI trainers, AI Ethicist, AI-Assisted Healthcare Professionals, AI User Experience (UX) Designer, AI Security Specialist, AI Data Architect, explainability specialists (AI Explainability), and data privacy managers. AI will also likely create new jobs in data analytics, AI development, and robotics engineering. These jobs will require different skills than traditional jobs, such as data analysis, coding, and machine learning proficiency. To conclude, the future workplace will be an amalgamation of automation and augmentation, with human workers and AI working together to achieve better outcomes.