How to talk to Business people about the value of OpenSource

The basic tenet of any business is to make profit by capitalizing on market opportunities when they present themselves. A visionary may be able to see the convergence of various technologies and accurately predict a paradigm shift. It is left to the business person to know who to listen to, and when and how to act. It is much easier to do this if one remains flexible (open to new ideas) and has a business information technology process which accommodates change. When executed properly, use of disruptive technology can bring both a tactical and strategic advantage.

In this world, “there are 10 types of people, those that understand binary and those that do not.” Consider this talk an introduction which will give people who do understand some insight into how to market and sell, to people who do not understand. I intend to provide the participants with a common approach to selling and implementing their ideas with their customers (internal or external). It will provide a common understanding of how to approach selling by understanding requirements, pain points and vocabulary. Acquisition costs can be minuscule compared to operating costs. I will include examination of some of the costs of open source adoption and an understanding of why its adoption will and does vary by geography.