With the addition of numerous peer-to-peer methods of communication during the past 10 years, the network effects of cloud-enabled technologies have compounded at unimaginable rates, creating a whole new breed of tech employee.

Mick Slattery, president of North America at Avanade, Inc., and Stella Goulet, the company’s chief marketing officer, stopped by to talk with John Furrier, cohost of theCUBE, from the SiliconANGLE Media team, about opportunities for innovation in the tech workplace and its implications for the cloud marketplace.

Becoming both a service provider and a service broker

Slattery believes cloud technology is still in its infancy. “I think we are definitely early days… we’ve seen the very successful born-in-the-cloud companies, and they’re doing very well,” he said. “We’ve seen Software as a Service come on very strong in the enterprise, but — at least the enterprise clients that I talk to around the globe — I’m not sure that the majority have really figured out how to fully become both a service provider and a service broker at the same time.”

Amazon and Microsoft may be exceptions, Slattery said (and in full disclosure, Avanade has an ownership share in Microsoft), but it is taking time for other enterprises to get on board.

Given all the changes in tech, how do you create a work environment that attracts innovative, passionate, interdisciplinary candidates who can create positive outcomes for businesses? Goulet had several solutions.

“Firstly, it’s providing opportunities to work on client solutions or client problems that they can see real outcome for the client and their customers,” she explained. “It’s giving them training opportunities when they come. It’s about having corporate social responsibility or other programs that are enriching that they can join. So, for example, we’re looking at how can we help to close the gender, economic and technology gap for women so that they can improve in their communities.”

Goulet also emphasized the importance of diversity in helping companies come on board the digital revolution. “Diversity is key for innovation. And different ideas and perspectives with innovation,” Goulet added. “And that’s why at Avanade we believe in encouraging diversity and having in place programs that encourage women to come into technology and grow their careers. It’s good for business. It’s good for our clients.”

Slattery agreed. “We do change for a business,” he said. “We help our clients embrace this digital innovation and what it can mean for their business.”

Watch the full video interview below, and be sure to check out more of SiliconANGLE and theCUBE’s coverage of Grace Hopper Celebration of Woman In Computing. And join in on the conversation by CrowdChatting with theCUBE hosts.

Photo by SiliconANGLE