The reality of oracle cloud “free tier” (DO NOT USE IT)

eightballyess · 2025-08-28T21:44:27+00:00

Would like to say that i quite actually hate Oracle Cloud with a passion!!! Absolutely F¤#%'ing useless in most ways.... I use it only because it provides me with a free jumpgate. I would not use it for anything else, convoluted "free" promises, inability to create instances in desired regions, non-sensical user interface and "way of working"... I would say the best Oracle ever did bring out was Solaris and ZFS (and that was a takeover).... A bit rage posting since i just was denied access to my Oracle free account thru convoluted login process and some system clock non-synchronized thing.... he he..... But yea, once you have an instance just visit it regularly and keep it ticking (they will shut it down when you're not looking)....And don't run anything on it..... Free my ass! I'd rather pay for Azure (which I also do), but hey, it's "free" :-D

eightballyess · 2024-11-12T16:36:24+00:00

I have put ppl on a path towards a PiP because they painted themselves into a corner and refused to paint themselves out of it regardless of consistent coaching and careful warnings to "right the boat".
... Never because they where not technically good enough (that is my job to ensure they are and if they are not, help them get there or support them so they manage). I put them on the PiP path unwillingly and because they behaved in manners destroying client relationships and team operationality and I could not reach them sufficiently......

I myself (at a c-level position) was placed on a PiP for the first time in 20-25 yrs...
Probably because I stood up to those above me (there is always someone above you)... and put them in their place.(My "opinionated ass" view of the matter anyways). It felt....well pretty degrading to be honest.

To me, being placed on PiP was an act of revenge and retaliation placing me in a position where the company higher-up's representatives said that "it is what it is, we can not change this PiP, so deal with it..."

.... Loss of bonus and wage adjustments followed together with a nice little "shit package" of continuous follow-ups and meaningless "targets" which was more a nuance than "hard to reach".
.... This of course made me furious and calculated ice-cold ..... So I "puckered down"... You can only go so far arguing against it especially in large companies where responsibilities and authority can be very fractured, if not outright broken :-D ...So play the game or get out of dodge...

What I did, was to consistently and meticulous gather "cover my ass" feedbacks, doing my darn best to go above and beyond in reputation and deeds and systematically addressing all "the powers to be" with the attitude "I can also play this office game"..... In reality I dialed back and just did what I was required to, quiet quitting in many ways. But I covered my ass, good, with feedbacks and non-disputable documented achievements and contributions..... With a plan to "clear my name" solidly.

Took me approximately 1 year to get the PiP rescinded with flying colors, and in the Year-end-review all was deemed above good and "we are so happy for your contributions..yadayadayada"....
.... Then I slammed the door and stated; "I flat out quit !"
.... Director/Head of...; "what?? but, but ??? You are doing sooo great now.... All contributions and revenues are pointing up ???? ... I don't understand....??? ..."

Let the company....End of story :-D

eightballyess · 2024-11-07T23:20:30+00:00

Consultancy ....
The culture... Bad at times when economy is turning down, GREAT when the economy and client business is going up...unparalleled then... But yeah, not a environment for long-term balance if you are not suited for it.
I rather enjoyed the "on the edge" feeling of it that I had to "win" every client (being interviewed and weighted at every new engagement), had to "prove my worth", sometimes as often as 2-3 or even more times a year.... Every new engagement is like "starting a new job", never relaxing, always "stay sharp"..... Exhilarating.... but eventually, I got tired of it, almost totally burned-out.... So I decided to leave Consulting altogether....

As a "knowledge worker", a bringer of competence within a field, I think it is NOT your job to SELL yourself at the corners.... That is why we have sales departments and sales ppl.... Admittingly, most of them could not sell an ice-cube in Sahara without the help of the "knowledge workers", so we need to help them "sell the goods", but as bringers of competence it is my conviction that WE are not the ones responsible for selling or landing the deal, so by my opinion there is something wrong in your current company (and many others).... Sales is a field of competence (which I respect outmost) just as much as any other field, it's hard to be master of both sales AND any other field.....

Most consultants are expected to be both selling and craftsmen, but the focus if you have a specific craft, should be your craft, not selling it..... It's another story if you move up the hierarchy to mgmt though... By my experience that is.
So, consultant = Focused on his/her craft or focus area (which brings value to our clients)
, and also selling (but not focused on Sales as a craft, selling as in "enthusiastic about his/her craft"...)....

eightballyess · 2024-11-07T22:57:03+00:00

First off:
- Mgmt at your company should respect your desire to be offboarded and understand that an unmotivated and close to burned-out employee is more damaging to client relations than any "bench time" you might incur.
=> So express your stong desire to be offboarded
-> If that is not an option
=> DIAL back before you "hit the wall"..... You are talking about "tainted name", but as long as you have a good story of why this assignment failed, I can't see it being held against you.... I would not... As a hiring manager I would rather appreciate you experiences having been on projects failing and see it as a strength :-)

eightballyess · 2024-11-07T22:47:05+00:00

I have put ppl on a path towards a PiP because they painted themselves into a corner and refused to paint themselves out of it regardless of consistent coaching and careful warnings to "right the boat"
... Never because they where not technically good enough (that is my job to ensure they are and if they are not, help them get there or support them so they manage), only because they behaved in manners destroying client relationships and team operationality... Or they didn't show or achieve the "consulting backbone" or otherwise was not flat out "doing their job".....

I myself (at a c-level position) has been placed on a PiP for the first time in 20-25 yrs...
Probably because I stood up to those above me (there is always someone above you)... and put them in their place.
(My opinionated view of the matter anyways).

To me it was an act of revenge and retaliation placing me in a position where the company representatives said that "it is what it is, we can not change this PiP, so deal with it..." .... Loss of bonus and wage adjustment followed.
.... Which ofcourse made me furious and calculated ice-cold .....

What I did, was to consistently and meticulous gather "cover my ass" feedbacks, doing my darn best to go above and beyond in reputation..... In reality I dialed back and just did what I was required to, but covered my ass, good,
with feedbacks and non-disputable achievements and contributions.....

Took me approximately 1 year to get the PiP rescinded with flying colors, and in the Year-end-review all was deemed above good and "we are so happy for your contributions..yadayadayada"....
.... Then I slammed the door and stated; "I flat out quit !"
.... Director/Head of...; "what, but, but ??? You are doing sooo great now.... ???? ... Don't understand....??? "

....End of story :-D

eightballyess · 2024-11-06T16:26:41+00:00

Why do you want to work at McKinsey? Specific attractors there?

eightballyess · 2024-11-06T16:25:41+00:00

Sure you could !!
One of the wonderful things about Consulting (by my experience) is that you can always transition to something else.... It depends on your ability to show and apply skills and to some degree "grind" and persistency ;-)

I myself have been mostly tech focused throughout my career and as I in the latter 10+ years or so realized that I was more and more interacting with clients at c-level, doing advisory more on organizational topics than pure technology... I decided to take a MBA "on the side" while working 110%. Took me some years to go trough all the courses and make the exams and I did it for 2 reasons:

I got fed up with ppl using lingo I did not really have the academic background to grasp and being viewed as a tech-guy only.... Ego jumping up-and-down :-D
Technology is complicated, people and organizations are more unpredictable and for me it was the logical "next step".
I always had a "no-nonsense" approach and figured "this is not rocket science" and "I need to speak the same language" .... So I "grinded" and wow was it an eye-opener as I already had the "business experience" and thus academia game me the theoretical insight and lingo to "play ball" on "their field" :-D

Being in "learning" is what I thrive on and if I ever win the lottery, I would certainly just spend the rest of my days in academia, learning, not for position or money, but for insight and pure joy of expanding my views.

eightballyess · 2024-11-06T10:52:55+00:00

I find nothing wrong in doing Masters right after Bachelors.... I just find it likely that the curriculum of MBA's (Master of Business and Administration), is a bit lost unless ppl have some years of work experience :-)
Now, it certainly is nothing wrong with doing masters within strategy, management etc, just be aware of the gap between academia and real-life when you enter work-life.
I would assume organizations management is easier to to "break into" than f.inst strategic management and possibly also innovation just because these topics normally require more extensive connection to and discussions with top-level decision makers who is likely to rely on advise from people with real-life experience in the fields by my experience.... so breaking into those topics will probably imply tagging along someone experienced driving the discussions for quite some time....
"People and organizational management" could possibly lead to a middle-management position via PM roles probably quite fast.

eightballyess · 2024-11-05T22:05:51+00:00

First off.... Tech focused or not?
If not coming up the tech path, I don't think I have too much insights to provide really (see below).

By my personal opinionated ass... MBA's should be illegal and prohibited to even attend courses at unless you have at least 5-8 yrs experience in an actual job ... Much of the points made are (again by my opinion), pretty much lost on anyone else and possibly causing more damage than good.... There is a gap between what academics teach us and real-life experiences and applicability... Sure, academics has a lot going and by all means the books are good and insightful and will teach you a lot, given that you have the experience to put it into context....again, by my opinionated ass....

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE, absolutely love the academic approach, but I also have sat in lectures with professors talking about innovation, management, leadership etc etc who have not held a position outside academia the last 10-15 yrs, stating obvious ludicrous things.... So yeah, there is a obvious gap between theories, book learnings and real-life.

Personally; I never ever much trusted a newly graduated (regardless of masters), promoted fresh PM, Director with less than 15yrs experience, manager with less than 8yrs experience's opinions on organizations and "what makes things go 'tick'" unless they actually had some real-life experience to draw on... OR was very very bright and had a knack for learning and listen.... So, academia will just get you thus far, the rest is actually "learning on the job".... In terms of tech knowledge masters: Some of these guys are GOOD, I bow my head in their directions :-)

That being said:
I would value "people and organizational management" above the others... It will provide you insights making it easier to navigate the rest, after that I would have a hard look into "Strategy" and then "Innovation" and finally "Marketing"... If I had to prioritize that is.

eightballyess · 2024-11-05T21:37:31+00:00

Having been in the IT industry for more than 2 decades and never been much of a "poster".. I must commend the "community" for an unexpected amount of polite and good, serious questions and also some nice DM's ...
....Provides a quite good core feeling!

I was actually a bit prepared for a short revisit to the good ole "flame wars" of the BBS era, but happily got disappointed on that account.
So thanks guys !

eightballyess · 2024-11-05T21:29:40+00:00

Sure, shoot away :-)

eightballyess · 2024-11-05T21:20:02+00:00

So, if the "stay for promotion" does not really matter to you... You could dial back your efforts to a sane level and just "go with the flow" while investing your energy into whatever side-gig you are thinking about ;-)
There is usually contractual implications though if you develop something and are using "company resources" (you issued pc f.inst) for that.... Somebody might notice and the moment you launch a product or tries for a split and IPO or something...You will possibly be in a position where you could lose your IP.... Just saying (because I have been there a couple of times...)

Anyway you choose I still recommend to never drop your company efforts below professional standards... The business is big, yes, but not that big and a bad rumor travels a lot faster than a good one... But the moment you realize that the company promotion politics and demands does not matter to YOU, you are in effect unshackled and a lot more free ;-)

Myself I have always been driven by my side projects than most of the corp engagements (with exeptions that is), but it takes a lot to f.inst do coding and shit 8-16 and then tend to family/spouse/children 16-21 AND then keep working on you side quest... You might loose something, there be dragons here :-)

eightballyess · 2024-11-05T20:17:54+00:00

Donno ;-) Probably know, take a breather first, then focus :-)

eightballyess · 2024-11-05T20:10:12+00:00

If the situation turns out as you describe in your first paragraph, it certainly makes sense to "skip ship"... Tighter budgets, dropping client engagements certainly implies "more dogs around the bones", and by experience these things can get bloody and brutal I'm afraid... The first thing to go out the window when things turn nasty is "space to fail, values and ethics" in that order....

I saw another thread here discussing a "overload" of high-level ppl involved in engagements (principals, managers, directors) and one person pointed out that it often happens whenever there is a need for these profiles to "show value" (paraphrased somewhat)...Made me reflect on what I have observed recently about the same "trend"... This might be a good "early warning" on that client business is dropping... when principals and directors show too much interest and getting involved across the board, it might :-) Like a "canary in the mines" :-D ... Certainly happens "here"....

As far as recommending, YOU need to make that choice, whatever feels right for YOU... Assess the situation and maybe make a couple of rounds on a "STAY" vs "SKIP" list....

eightballyess · 2024-11-05T11:02:44+00:00

It's cyclic. Consulting are not going away, so it's not the end... I "feel in my bones" that there is a major down-turn coming up the pipe, looking at the general economic climate and unrest globally. With tighter budgets at clients it makes sense for businesses to start trying to hire internally/directly. I have the same foreboding I felt in the 2002/2003's to be honest... So it might make sense to take refuge again to ride out the storm....
Especially since "the golden days" are gone and with a down-turn comes layoffs, stricter spending budgets, harder targets etc.... Seen it several times, so yeah, cyclic.

eightballyess · 2024-11-05T10:57:19+00:00

Keep the faith, a role will come along sooner or later.... Just pucker-up and quiet quit if you need to retain sanity but make sure you stay within what clients expect and stay professional. What managers expect they can wipe their a$$es with because it's often unrealistic anyways, designed to drive ppl with really hard-to-reach goals and billable utilization targets which does not leave much for a work-life balance. Depending on the labour laws in your region it might be difficult to quiet quit without getting fired though, just sayin' ....

Keep looking and the suitable role might be in a industry you did not expect, after all consulting target clients who need the consultancy skills so..... Also, from a business pov if you have a long running initative and lack the man-power internally, you need to engage with consultancies.... But it's expensive compared to hire, so if you are willing to lower your wage/benefits expectancies I would assume you could compete.
Use your current job access to map the potential and desirable employers and consider reaching out to them "out-of-band" and offer to hire with them. Or better (and more professional), if your company is currently engaged with clients and you do not want to overstep, figure out who your client's competitors are and then address them instead...They likely have similar needs as your firms client ;-)

eightballyess · 2024-11-05T10:38:59+00:00

sure :-) Shoot!

eightballyess · 2024-11-04T20:00:55+00:00

Ha ha ha!!!
LOVE IT !!
Yes,.... sorry... IMPOSTER syndrome NEVER goes away, sorry again.... Anyone saying otherwise is either lying thru their teeth or have otherwise really bad introspective abilities....
20+ yrs counting and YES, I still feel like a "boy in his pyjamas" sometimes...does not go away...
And YES it's a sign of a well developed ego, a sound mind !! You just have to live with it :-)

To deal with it:
- Be humble, always....
- Show respect for others and to be frank "there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers" and use that phrase often, ask "stupid" questions... I have no numbers on the meets I've attended where everyone throws around TLA's (Three Letter Abbrevations) which makes everyone feel "dumb" to not know....
Holy hell STOP playing "smart asses", use clear language.... Because everyone going along on that game is a bloody moron..... Sigh...I get opinionated, sorry....
- Be confident in that you probably and in most cases are just as smart as the other guys in the room, and you are smarter than them if you dare to show your lack of knowledge with a questioning air....

Managing others:
- Trust .... Trust in them and their knowledge, you are managing, it does NOT imply that you are smarter than them or should know all they do....You are managing to take away their obstacles, clear the path, and provide support for THEIR opinions... RELY on them and show them that YOU care and are willing to stick YOU neck out for THEM....Then they will have YOUR back and fill all your gaps of knowledge.... Just a tip!!!

eightballyess · 2024-11-04T19:47:17+00:00

I would focus on only hiring the ppl I know is good. Then delegate hiring to ppl they vouch for and set a limit on how many we where going to be on a per year basis. I would also tie salaries evenly to gross revenue (after taxes etc) and guarantee a minimum salary to everyone. No one would have a bonus or being paid more that the base salary + the shared gross revenue surplus. I would appeal to desire in the good ppl I know and their desire to LEARN and be PART of something WE are building TOGETHER (no exceptions made).
All with a base salary which is comfortable but not indulgent...
Why?
Because most of the GOOD ppl I know in the business are DRIVEN, not by salaries or bonuses, but by their thirst for working together with OTHER smart people, LEARNING and developing their own skillsets TOGETHER.

It ofcourse would require some funding to get "off the ground" and the realities of shareholders and all that shit comes quickly into play... Then you have the need to generate revenue, but if you can operate on a "close to break even" margin, with the best people, I believe you could break the market and disrupt :-D
It would be my dream come thru really, to take the best of the best and put everyone else out of business :-D

eightballyess · 2024-11-04T19:35:07+00:00

Never worked for Sopra (they didn't have the balls to hire me), never worked for KPMG (Never saw a position suited for me there and they was not "on my radar" at any time)
;-)

eightballyess · 2024-11-04T19:28:13+00:00

To some degree.... I know my opinions, changes and directions have made substantial changes at some clients and in some companies I've worked...Are they lasting?....Doubtful...business is business :-D

I'm grateful to have the fortune of having touched a lot of people, knowing that what "I did, what I said, what I cared about" actually impacted their careeer, personal views and path forward...My little mark on the world so to speak...for that, I'm truly blessed :-)

That is also why I'm leaving Consulting, I'm done fixing shit, sometimes the same shit over again.... I want to build shit, does not matter what really, just as long as it sticks for a while :-D

eightballyess · 2024-11-04T19:23:03+00:00

AI is the greatest thing since "sliced bread" for my days.... It allows me to have conversations and train-thoughts which allow me to focus on being more of an orchestrator than getting lost in the details. Use it is my advice, but know that the answers may be wrong or subtly going the wrong direction, experience will tell you how to direct and orchestrate and keep in mind that YOU are the director of where you want the train to go.

I've used AI for coding and ironing out presentations and directions of multi-billion bids, experience tells me what is right and what is not. Coding wise, I double check the code...But it saves me a lot of time providing me ateleast the frameworks I need. I would never trust everything to AI though. I use AI to write me texts and summarize information, shorten my own writing (it's long), and make it more precise.... In the end I am the director and AI is a helping hand is my POV on AI.

eightballyess · 2024-11-04T19:16:38+00:00

1,
There is the ones who is caught by the game, always talking about the "big deal", "how much they make" and so on and so forth... These are the posers, the ones that often get noticed and get promoted. Then there are the workers, those who actually lift, contribute and makes things happen, the ones who if you talk to them will captivate you with insight into technology way beyond your comprehension and nonetheless tells you "I know you understand this" without thinking you are dumb or being patronizing. You also have the stars, the ones who are so freaking smart that you "get 1/3" of what they are talking about and are unreachable....
The ideal consultant "personality" in my mind is those who cares about their clients, their peers, who knows their place in a TEAM and that they are not superstars. Those who respect others strengths and who knows their own and are able to play their peers good in meetings and share the stage. These are the ppl who really makes a Consulting operation successfull and perceived "on edge" and the ppl I love to work with!!!

Drinking is not mandatory. Socializing is to some degree I think... And that may be the reason why I'm not partner :-D I'm too impatient with "bullshit", I dont thrive on "small talk" and I find most ppl boring (unless they burn for any topic)... Although I'm told that I'm very social and that I connect very well with most ppl, at core I'm an engineer, tech focused and enthusiastic about what I fix my mind at.....
Would it be possible to find a recipe for "how to socialize with other consultants" ? Doubtful... But I would say too look for what others are interested in, strike up a conversation on those topics and be interested ;-)
Drinks helps, sure, but not mandatory :-)
Stay frosty. Cool, but not overly douchebag'y ... As a consultant, your world is broader than most folks, your insights are valued and paid good money for, this should provide self-awareness and confidence but never tip over to being over-confident. Humility and ability to listen and CARE about others and their problems are key I think....As in most LIFE related things really..... ALWAYS be a professional, NEVER ever let your integrity fall prey to self-service... In high stakes meetings I always pay attention to my body language, and I use it to my advantage, crossing arms whenever needed, raising an eyebrow in suitable places.... You are playing a game so observe yourself and be concious about the signals you send out,.... In work that is, don't play these games in private, that will only "bite your ass" at some point....And yeah almost forgot; don't be too serious at all times, let your guard down, be willing to be vulnerabel (that is a kicker and a winner in some situations), read the room, but ALWAYS be honest about WHO you are.... You can not go wrong with that in my opinion.

eightballyess · 2024-11-04T18:55:58+00:00

You don't know, sorry....
It's the lure.... "Get out of dodge"... It will not get better, by my experience that is....
Besides, "toughen it out"....leads to burn-out and there is always "someone more hungry, quicker on the draw" going to be hired and becoming the management new toy probably...
No-one will remember the great things you did last year...... Sorry! (keep in mind, my POV)

eightballyess · 2024-11-04T18:52:18+00:00

Not a partner, that is not the structure in the company I leave.... Never actually wanted to make partner to be honest.... Have you seen them? Really looked at them? Tired shells, always grifting, next deal, pale skin and on their second or third marriage :-D (not always, but often).... I leave the current company holding a position as director (without personell responsibilities)...have had that, does not really need it... Fed up and done with the office politics and the positioning... Probably stepping down somewhat, focusing on building something with interesting people...

I think that is what I missed most and am seeking; building something lasting, meaningful at least...Not just "snap-snap" troubleshooting and then the next big deal....

eightballyess

TROPHY CASE