FinOps Weekly Podcast

FinOps: Insights on Incentives, AI, and Policy.

Featuring a conversation with the senior product manager from Kion Tatum Tummins, we explore the common pitfalls and effective strategies for establishing a cloud cost governance using FinOps.

Discover how to prioritize business value, the role of AI in FinOps, and real-life examples of successful cloud cost governance policies. Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance your FinOps practice, this episode offers invaluable insights.

We talk about cloud billing & finance management, accounting with a FinOps specialist from British Airways. Magda & I cover cloud billing, invoicing reconciliation, understanding cost allocation, handling cost anomalies, and best practices for creating actionable financial reports.

Bridging the gap between cloud cost data and engineering action is the most significant hurdle for modern digital enterprises. This deep dive into data finops explains how to move beyond simple dashboards to create a culture of accountability and measurable business value.

Most organizations struggle with analysis paralysis where visibility exists but action remains stagnant. We explore how to reconnect metrics to business outcomes that engineers actually care about and how to shift the conversation from technology costs to product margins. By treating cloud cost management as a strategic planning session rather than an accounting report, teams can free up budget for innovation and faster feature delivery.

This episode provides a tactical framework brought by Zach Johnson, Head of FinOps at Splunk for building a FinOps Center of Excellence, mastering monthly reviews, and implementing unit economics to quantify the value of every dollar spent in the cloud. Whether you are a finance lead or an engineering manager, these insights will help you transition from reactive cost-cutting to proactive business enablement.

In this episode of the FinOps Weekly podcast, Victor is joined by Frank from Coblan to discuss a major shift in how companies manage cloud costs. They dive into why traditional "bottom-up" FinOps often fails and how a "top-down" strategy can lead to better results.

Frank explains that asking engineers to fix things without a clear strategy is a common mistake. Instead, leadership should set the vision and constraints, allowing technical teams to work effectively within a defined "sandbox."

Key topics covered in this episode:

If you want to move beyond just "chasing savings" and start driving real business value through your cloud strategy, this conversation provides the roadmap.

Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNsEYhUvsB0

Our FinOps Weekly Courses: https://learn.finopsweekly.com

In this episode of FinOps Weekly, we talk with Borja Martinez from NTT Data about the importance of FinOps dashboards for executives. Learn about the key roles FinOps play in business value, cost control, and decision-making. We also discuss the unexpected business value FinOps can uncover, the most common and costly mistakes seen in FinOps, and the essential skills needed for a successful career in this field. If you want to engage your executives in FinOps or pursue a career in this field, this episode is a must-watch.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro00:29 The Importance of FinOps for Companies02:13 Unexpected Business Value from FinOps04:21 Key Metrics for Measuring FinOps Success09:07 Engaging Executives in FinOps18:53 Career Paths and Skills in FinOps29:03 Advice for Starting a Career in FinOps

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AWS FinOps Updates: https://finopsweekly.com/news/aws-cost-optimization-finops-updates/Azure FinOps Updates: https://finopsweekly.com/news/azure-cost-optimization-finops-updates/GCP FinOps Updates: https://finopsweekly.com/news/gcp-cost-optimization-finops-updates/Oracle OCI FinOps Updates: https://finopsweekly.com/news/oracle-oci-finops-updates/

Join us as we talk with Olfa from Azure Cloud Academy about why FinOps implementations often take longer than expected. We explore the gaps between FinOps theory and real-world production, the importance of understanding business value, and the role of cultural practices in achieving cloud cost efficiency.

Discover the common pitfalls, including ownership issues, alert fatigue, and the challenge of balancing automated remediation with contextual actions. Gain valuable insights into building trust within engineering teams, optimizing anomaly detection, and effective monitoring practices.

00:00 Intro

00:26 Understanding the FinOps Framework 00:39 Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice

03:07 Challenges in FinOps Implementation 05:19 Addressing Anomalies in FinOps

07:55 Effective Alert Management

10:28 Automation in FinOps: Best Practices 15:25 Common Pitfalls in FinOps

17:15 Final Thoughts and Advice

18:22 Conclusion and Next Steps

AWS FinOps Updates: https://finopsweekly.com/news/aws-cost-optimization-finops-updates/

Join Victor Garcia and AWS Technical Account Manager Loïc Fournier for an in-depth breakdown of the most impactful AWS re:Invent announcements for FinOps practitioners. Discover how Database Savings Plans, Compute Optimizer automation, and new cost management features can transform your cloud financial strategy in 2026. In this episode, we cover the top 3 re:Invent announcements, hidden cost implications, real-world savings scenarios, and a complete 30-day action plan to optimize your AWS spending from day one.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

00:35 - Top 3 AWS re:Invent announcements for FinOps

01:26 - Database Savings Plans: The game-changer everyone's been waiting for

02:03 - Compute Optimizer automation for unattached volumes

03:51 - Savings Plan sharing prioritization and cost allocation

05:26 - Why Database Savings Plans simplify multi-service coverage

06:00 - Jump cut handling and new cost contact features

07:04 - Underestimated feature: 18-month AI-powered forecasting

09:46 - Your first 30 days of 2026: Step-by-step FinOps checklist

10:05 - Day 1: Database Savings Plans implementation strategy

12:06 - Graviton migration and volume optimization priorities

13:27 - Week 2: Visibility, alerts, and dashboard aggregation

14:10 - Week 3: Forecasting, prioritization, and cost efficiency scoring

16:40 - AI for FinOps: Testing Q Developer and MCP server integration

17:04 - The continuous effort mindset: Empowering your team 1

8:40 - Monthly recaps and staying current with AWS updates

19:27 - FinOps Foundation FOCUS 1.2 release

20:06 - Hidden costs and pricing model tricks to watch for

22:36 - Database Savings Plans vs Reservations: The trade-offs

26:01 - Seven-day rollback window: Your safety net for commitments

27:34 - Serverless vs provision: Reevaluating your database strategy

28:29 - Real-world scenario: $1,890/month additional savings example

31:35 - The importance of customer feedback loops

33:55 - Loïc's career journey: From mainframes to cloud FinOps

38:48 - On-premises vs cloud: The mindset shift every team needs

41:22 - One piece of advice for FinOps practitioners

42:11 - Essential resources: Blogs, YouTube sessions, and Compute Optimizer

45:27 - Education and gamification: Building a cost-aware culture

49:11 - Implementing policies and automation to prevent waste

50:20 - Final thoughts and feedback call-to-action

CONNECT WITH US:

Victor Garcia - FinOps Weekly

Loïc Fournier - AWS Technical Account Manager

Have feedback on AWS cost management features?

Share it with your AWS account team or reach out to Loïc on LinkedIn!

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#awsreinvent2025 #FinOps #CloudCostOptimization #AWSSavingsPlans #DatabaseSavingsPlans #ComputeOptimizer #CloudFinancialManagement #AWSCostManagement #FinOpsWeekly #CloudOptimization #AWSUpdates #TechPodcast #CloudComputing #CostEfficiency #DevOps

FinOps Cashflow Newsletter: https://finopscashflow.com

Welcome to a special episode of the FinOps Weekly Podcast! This week, Victor Garcia sits down with Alexa Abbruscatto, FinOps thought leader and creator of the FinOps Cashflow Newsletter—to explore the evolving world of FinOps, the power of community, and actionable strategies for cloud cost management.

Whether you’re a FinOps pro, a finance leader, or just cloud-curious, you’ll find practical insights, career inspiration, and a look at what’s next for the FinOps movement.

Our FinOps Weekly Courses: https://learn.finopsweekly.com

Timestamps:00:00 - Meet Alexa: From English Teacher to FinOps Leader03:12 - The Evolution of FinOps: Beyond Cloud Infrastructure06:28 - Procurement’s Role in FinOps Success09:45 - Building Community & The Power of Collaboration13:20 - Alexa’s Journey: Soft Skills in a Technical World17:00 - Making FinOps Accessible: Teaching Complex Concepts21:15 - Real-World Challenges: Enterprise Commitments & Cloud Discounts25:40 - AI, Automation, and the Future of Procurement30:05 - How to Break Into FinOps (No Tech Background Needed)34:30 - Community Growth, Events, and Global Networking39:10 - Incentivizing Contribution & Keeping the Community Engaged43:00 - Alexa’s Wish List for FinOps in 2026

Key Takeaways:

How FinOps is expanding beyond traditional cloud cost managementThe importance of procurement and finance collaborationAlexa’s unique path into FinOps and why soft skills matterActionable advice for building a thriving FinOps communityTrends to watch: AI, automation, and data-driven governance#FinOps #CloudCostManagement #CloudFinance #Procurement #TechCareers #FinOpsCommunity #CloudOptimization #CashflowNewsletter—Enjoyed the episode? Like, comment, and share your biggest FinOps challenge below!

Join us as Katya delves into the world of FinOps, providing insights on explaining the concept to teams, adapting practices to different stakeholders, and optimizing cloud resources effectively. Discover common misconceptions, the importance of tailored communication, and successful strategies for integrating FinOps education into corporate processes. Learn how to motivate team members, avoid common pitfalls, and measurable growth in FinOps culture within a company. This episode offers valuable tips for building a robust FinOps practice from the ground up.

Our FinOps Weekly Courses: https://learn.finopsweekly.com

​ ​ Newsletter FinOps Weekly: https://newsletter.finopsweekly.com/s...​ FinOps Weekly Community on Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/finopsweekly...

00:00 Introduction00:46 Understanding FinOps Misconceptions02:42 Adapting FinOps Communication04:41 Effective FinOps Education Strategies07:49 Formats for FinOps Training11:44 Integrating FinOps into Company Processes15:01 Motivating Teams for FinOps18:35 First Steps in FinOps Implementation22:32 Common Mistakes in FinOps26:03 Overcoming FinOps Challenges35:54 Measuring FinOps Culture Growth40:38 Final Thoughts