Recently, I underwent an experiment to “Go Social” in 30 days and began posting uncharacteristic articles on my Facebook page which instigated questions from my parents who keep up with my crazy consulting travel schedule through my Facebook wall. I was posting industry articles about Cloud Computing, the “cloud,” Gamification, Change Management, and Adoption. As I am in this industry, I talk and think about these topics daily so I assumed most people were now understanding it all. I see Baby Boomers blogging, sharing articles, tweeting daily about similar topics, so I took it for granted that my parents were following along.

But then they stopped by one day and asked, “What the heck are these weird articles you’re posting to Facebook?” I immediately began explaining my career, defining all of the various #socialnetworking tools, what the #cloud is, etc. I demonstrated the cloud by logging in to salesforce.com on my Mac, then on my HP laptop, then repeated this on my iPad and my iPhone. I explained how I can access all of the same information I need from salesforce.com anywhere, any time, on any device, unlike on-premise software where I must access it from the one computer on which I have that software downloaded or that file stored on my desktop. I even showed them examples of other cloud-based apps and did an analogy of what Bluewolf does for clients with a Cold Stone Creamery story: the sweet cream ice cream is the “out of box” salesforce.com and we help define the appropriate mix-ins, or the Appexchange plugins, needed configurations, customization, etc. and serve the client with their completed concoction. 

I was proud of myself for getting this Baby Boomer pair to understand innovative technology and for customizing my message by using demonstrations and analogies that resonated with them. . .or so I thought. The next day, my dad came in to my office and said in his proudest voice, “Hey Kate, I downloaded that Cloud thing you were talking about!” Ha, you did what Dad? You downloaded the cloud? Uh-oh. . .he didn’t get it at all!  “No Dad, that’s not possible,” I explained. He walked me over to his laptop and proudly pointed to a little cloud icon which happened to be Amazon Cloud Player. “You see, I googled Cloud and this came up. I wanted the cloud, so I downloaded it.” Touché—Dad, you downloaded the Cloud . . . HA. Brilliant app naming, Amazon, and brilliant search engine marketing!

So, why do I tell this story? To embarrass my Dad? To undermine my own ability to communicate and teach? No, not at all. I tell it to share with any of you in this industry my lesson learned: my staff, my company, you, your staff, your company and anyone in this business. . .make NO assumptions about your audience’s level of understanding on a topic, especially new technology. You must communicate clearly and ask for responses back that demonstrate understanding. This is what I do daily and it’s still complex to ensure that your message is effective and understood.

Do you know what the cloud is?