If you’ve implemented all the “right” FinOps practices and costs are still climbing, this episode is for you. Host Thalia Elie welcomes Erik Norman — CEO of Calico and self-proclaimed “FinOps troublemaker” — for a candid and insightful discussion on what really drives cost, value, and culture in engineering. From eliminating millions of unnecessary API calls to cutting 98% of cloud spend in one engagement, Erik breaks down why asking better questions matters more than tagging.
Key Takeaways
- Follow the value, not the money: Just because a workload is expensive doesn’t mean it’s wasteful — ask what it’s doing.
- Tagging isn’t a strategy: It’s a byproduct of transparency and naming standards — not an end in itself.
- FinOps is people-powered: Communication gaps, not technical ones, often hide the real cost drivers.
- Don’t bolt on buzzwords: New tech (like AI) won’t help if legacy thinking and workflows remain unchanged.
- Lead through questions: Great FinOps work starts by asking not just how much, but also why.
About the guest
Erik Norman is the CEO and founder of Calico, a FinOps consultancy focused on asking better questions — not just implementing better tools. With over 20 years of experience as a software engineer, cost optimizer, and community mentor, Erik is known for his sharp insights and sharper candor. Whether mentoring junior FinOps practitioners or challenging legacy thinking, he brings clarity, efficiency, and a little disruption to everything he touches.
