IT Complexity: You Can Never Solve It

IT admins are always off, hurrying somewhere or the other, putting out fires. It seems that their job has moved from empowering organizations to ensuring systems stay online for efficient work.

All the while managing all compliances. Only for all of it to crash and burn after some error in some system crashes the applications the end user is working on. And then everyone panics, the DevOps team, the CI/CD team, and everyone in between starts blaming IT for not doing the job well.

That should be part of the job description – “Blame the IT guys.”

It’s a meme at this point.

However, these tech teams don’t understand that IT complexity arises because of the layers and layers of applications, services, and systems running in sync with each other.

And the solution to solve this problem is as gargantuan as the problem itself. There are many fixes that IT teams employ, but can there be a definitive one, and do leaders, beyond the CIO, get the severity of it all?

Let’s venture to search for a clear answer.

Why is the IT architecture such a mess?

No, it isn’t because the IT teams love being surrounded by wires and servers, and that’s why they build equally messy systems.

The reason behind it is that there is no clear answer to writing better code, nor can it be handled by a single system. Yes, there have been attempts at improving architecture with methods like modular monolith structures and clean architectures, but these, too, increase complexity instead of decreasing it.

The sole reason is simple: There are too many applications and API calls that muddle up the process. There’s your HR software, then there’s the CRM, then there’s the ERP, the SaaS products, the finance products, so on and so forth, and then there are the native applications.

Then there are internal productions and external tools that need access to these internal tools, and the list goes on. Imagine your IT team is not just taking care of some core business function.

They’re taking care of all of it.

And there’s another layer that goes unnoticed- the humans involved in the process.

Why does IT complexity arise?

There are many layers stacked on top of each other. Systems sending telemetry reports, the APIs calling AI systems and other software, and then there are the failures.

If a single instance crashes, maybe it’s the K8 engineer’s job, but what happens when the entire application node crashes?

That’s the problem of the software engineers, the CI/CD team, and the IT team together. Imagine so many people in one room, waiting patiently for the problem to be solved. There’s going to be tension there and the possibility of: what if we can’t solve this?

There’s the CEO breathing down your neck and the users waiting for applications to go back online. If you’re a SaaS company, these downtimes are a blow to your reputation and lead to losses.

These are the stakes, very human stakes, that give rise to complexity. And it’s an organizational problem- not just the IT department’s.

Can IT complexity be solved?

Okay, this question has no set answer, like at all. Many organizations have tried and failed. Simplification is not possible, and it doesn’t need to be.

Everyone has tried simplifying, and that created limited systems that can’t be scaled. And for start-ups and SaaS companies, well, that’s not going to fare well at all.

Growth is what makes a start-up. And SaaS must be scalable and resilient.

However, the conclusion leaders force on the IT team is to reduce complexity. There are many tools and dashboards designed for it, whether that’s scrum meetings, tools like Atlas, or initiatives that reduce human error. Maybe there’s less chaos on the field when teams collaborate to solve the problem.

Yes, that is the natural choice. However, there is something deeper that operates within this system. And it cannot be solved for.

It is an immutable law of all systems: entropy.

IT complexity can be managed, not solved.

This piece has actually turned into a venture. While researching, we found many disparate solutions. Some pieces suggest using a tool or using a single vendor, but won’t these create newer complexities?

Most leaders take a brute force approach to solving complexity- let the IT guy do it. And while your CIO does cut costs for you and reduce everything universally possible, they will hit limits that aren’t physically scalable.

Yet, leaders want growth. Growth at the price of what exactly?

The answer is clear: operational efficiency.

Companies eliminate operational efficiency to save money and customer uptime, ending up in a loop where this exact thing starts affecting their business negatively. Let’s talk about Larry Tesler’s law, called Tesler’s law (go figure!)

In it, he posits, every application has an inherent complexity that cannot be removed or hidden. Instead, it must be dealt with either in product development or in user interaction.

The simplest example of this is the GUI. Organizations manage complexity while users click buttons and levers. The same is happening to your servers, and while you can use managed services, which is actually the easier option, it moves the complexity to another plate. And then they have to manage complexity.

But the point is to make leaders aware of the variables involved and what they need to do.

So we’ve got down to the awareness of it all. Eliminating complexity won’t actually make your systems smarter; computing gets rigid. It cannot be scaled.

What role does entropy play in IT complexity?

Every system experiences entropy. It reaches a state of equilibrium, i.e., from structure to non-structure, and this non-structure is essential. Balanced entropy in computing actually makes the systems efficient.

But, as applications are stacked, the entropy reaches a tipping point where the information devolves into disorder or the rate of disorder begins to increase. For example, here’s a simulation we ran.

Imagine you have 73 servers, which are 98% resilient, and then you have a 74th server with 95% resilience. The probability that at least one node in the server fails is 78%, which is the baseline. Now, imagine what happens when applications and nodes fail in succession?

It’s chaos.

And that’s why there are days when your systems crash, servers can’t be accessed, or end users experience downtime. And there’s at least one day when this happens.

Remember CrowdStrike? The cascading effect is entropy at work. Since all systems are interdependent, one failure could lead to the next. And it does this to achieve equilibrium.

In short, your systems fail because it’s the path of least resistance.

So what can help you here? As leaders, you need something that has existed before was even a thing.

It’s called Chaos Engineering.

And your CTOs, CIOs, and even Jr. Engineers, probably and hopefully, know about it.

Chaos Engineering- Pioneered by Netflix.

What is the most server-intensive task in the world? AI data centers are obviously number one. And number 2 has to be Netflix (opinion alert).

They completely changed how businesses move to the cloud. Every organization wants to create a resilient system, but how exactly?

This is the answer. It has the makings of a great strategy.

1. It’s context-based.
2. It asks questions that are relevant to your problem
3. It simulates and gives probabilities of failures and weak points.
4. It has a cool name.

So what does it do? Essentially, engineers at Netflix understood that their servers bring in a lot of people. And failure is imminent – it’s not unavoidable but imminent. A matter of time before something crashes.

What happens when 1.5 million or 10 million people log in to watch Stranger Things? Of course, Netflix being Netflix, that won’t crash them because they will be prepared. How? Using their Simian Army.

No, it’s not like the monkeys Lex Luthor uses in the pocket universe in Superman. But, a method of anticipating failure points and preparing for them. They developed this by imagining a monkey with a wrench wrecking havoc on their systems.

With this, they found vulnerabilities that they could never have anticipated by shutting down instances and entire servers to see what would break and what would remain functional. They knew that IT complexity wouldn’t be a clean solution.

Netflix knew they had to break things (virtually, of course) to see what was affected and what was not. That was 14 years ago in 2011.

Now, Kubernetes, Grafana, and other tools make it easier to handle failures, but the complexity hasn’t gone anywhere. Instead, chaos engineering might become a focal point of future software development.

As AI builds code or users delve into AI-assisted coding, what would matter the most? Identifying failure points as complexity arises.

In short, a person who can anticipate failure, create systems for it, and manage complexity. Which of course will require clear documentation- yes, documentation that cannot be replicated by AI but by someone who sees clear patterns and observes systems as they become more complex.

Maybe, the future of development is not less complexity but more complexity stuffed into efficient packets- that’s worth exploring.

Strategic Benefits of Using Podcasts: Revisit Your Marketing Frameworks

With a convenient medium like a podcast, listeners can access high-quality content. What can this vantage point afford small businesses? Let’s find out.

Too many content pieces list out ‘how-tos’ when it comes to podcast marketing. But little do they delve into the why.

Yes, podcast marketing has proved effective on various occasions. But why- this should be the fundamental question. Too many businesses are stuck on the same page, replicating the same practices because big names declared them the best.

This isn’t how things work around in next-gen B2B marketing.

Buyers tired of your all-encompassing sameness will flock to competitors. And if you’re starting, doesn’t it prove disadvantageous for your business?

It’s time to rush away from the ‘best practices’ and dig into why something works the way it does. Why are some podcasts a one-time listen, and why have some podcast channels gained such a loyal following?

Underscoring the answers to these is the intuitive way forward, not just a strategic one, especially for podcast marketing.

As millions of users tune into their favorite B2B podcasts, what’s keeping them enticed to listen to the material? Is it the subject matter? The host? Or the entertainment factor? The obvious question is what exactly ticks customers.

Podcasts: An Answer to Marketing’s Prayers?

An in-depth inquiry into these questions has made podcasts a treasure trove for advertising. According to a third-party research conducted by WARC, global podcast ad spend is predicted to exceed $5 billion by the end of 2025.

There’s very little content that customers interact with willingly. We’re talking about a diversity of formats- blog posts, banner ads, social media posts, TV and DOOH ads, and even videos. There’s content everywhere, and not all of it compels us or makes us gravitate towards it. Most of them are untimely ads that seem frustrating (see, Amazon Prime and YouTube).

We’re constantly pleading with brands to understand- we don’t want to watch this minute-long ad. It’s not just intrusive, but straight-up annoying. Who even has the time, even a few seconds of it?

And if they did, users would instead expend those few minutes consuming content they actually wish to, rather than ones they’re forced to. This is something marketers and advertisers still miss. Content is used as shtick, but its application takes the back seat.

Podcast’s creative and technical design helps tackle this hitch.

This marketing channel has been efficient in burning the barrier between consumer demand and desire, and amalgamating them into one. It’s why businesses are flocking to podcast marketing, so much so that there has been a fascinating 6.83% year-over-year increase in podcast listeners. A number that skyrocketed to 584.1 million in 2025. And is expected to hit a whopping 651.7 million by 2027.

It isn’t magic, but a tactic that feeds into the very psychology of why customers listen to podcasts in the first place. It’s convenient- and the sociability, flexibility, and intimacy are high. Across the modern B2B sphere, where buyers seek more relational marketing, podcasts help soften the noise.

It caters to a communication style that B2B buyers desperately vie for, one that instills trust and confidence in a brand rather than selling.

It’s the benefits that podcasts afford businesses that marketers are truly digging into. Let’s plunge into what they are.

A Strategic Edge Amid Market Saturation: Benefits of Podcasts for Modern Marketing

Benefit 1: Demand Generation

Have you heard of Ciente’s TechTalk?

It’s one of the best B2B podcasts out there. Instead of making it a one-sided information dissemination platform, the host, Ciente’s CMO, holds a dialogue. These conversations are a treasure trove for those who are seeking expert insight on the ongoing market hiccups. From Google to Microsoft, TechTalk has hosted multiple guests from some of the industry giants.

This has only played out in the demand gen agency’s favor. Leveraging podcasts across its operations has brought it exposure to some of the big names. You can then use it as a contact to nurture these accounts into customers.

This is the magic that podcasts can afford you, but only if done right.

It all depends on what you’re hoping to achieve with your podcasts- is it awareness or a thought leader tag? Podcasts can do both, but across different timelines. You must play your cards right. Use promotional content to launch your podcast channel and promote episodes based on contextual relevance.

In the short term, this’ll affect your exposure. But for the long term?

Dedicated listeners who can become customers and a concrete thought leader.

Benefit 2: Brand Recognition and Affinity

Do you know what fuels brand recognition? Consistency.

The point is that most marketing strategies operate with loose ends. There’s no set content strategy, whether it’s for your brand’s LinkedIn profile or blog postings. Some day, you post three pieces, and the others none. Do you really believe this is what will truly drive the engagement?

Branding is synonymous with consistency. Infuse this with podcasts? You’re accelerating your brand recognition. There’s a good chance that those appearing as guests on your podcast have never heard the brand’s name.

Podcasts present an opportunity.

You aren’t just tapping into your listeners, but the guests, too. Their loyal followers. This serves as the correct time to illustrate your brand values. And when you do this consistently? It instills your values and brand into the listeners’ minds.

Whether it’s a unique introduction or the material you cover, the audience knows you. It elevates your brand visibility and introduces you to potential news listeners.

For podcasting to be effective, you must publish and deliver content consistently. This’ll help you decide how to embed your podcast publishing into your audience’s listening routine. And then?

Gain valuable mindshare.

Benefit 3: Proof of Credibility

There are too many brands and way too much content out there. Navigating this sea has become exhausting. How do you know which brand to trust and which not to?

From social reviews to case studies, proof of credibility has become a significant need. The credibility and market positioning aren’t instilled through empty slogans, but in what you can deliver.

Podcasts are a major driver of this. It’s a platform that keeps on giving. But with it becoming a significant flare, how do you differentiate a forgettable trend-following channel from a genuine one?

You develop this through your podcasts. You can position your brand’s perception correctly, especially by utilizing long-form formats beyond social media posts and website copy.

Reach out to innovators, industry experts, and other thought leaders for real-world experience and expertise that adds credibility.

When someone from your brand converses with them, it’ll illustrate your own expertise in the field. And help concretize your brand as an emerging thought leader.

Benefit 4: Trustful and Value-Centric Connection

Trust is not created, but something that is earned. And modern marketing is precisely about that.

Amidst a crowded market, it’s challenging to decipher the brands that actually stand on business. Most convey lacklustre promises and fail to deliver on them upfront. Not every brand is out to help you solve your pain points. For some, customers remain numbers and a way to achieve the desired outcomes.

Podcasts cut through the empty promises.

It’s a sure-shot, authentic way to engage with your audiences.

Because listeners aren’t just engaging with your brand, but those behind it: the real people involved. This applies a more human touch to the colors, tagline, mission statement, and logo.

The podcast content itself is not something transactional. Instead, you’re offering your listeners informational value upfront; all they must do is listen. This makes the entire interaction more personal and intimate.

This is why podcast advertising works, you know, especially if the content is a banger.

The listeners themselves end up building a parasocial connection with the listeners. Because each new podcast episode becomes part of the daily routine for dedicated listeners. Your audience starts connecting to the voice involved, which they come to depend on for further information.

Podcasts facilitate brands and audiences to develop authentic and trustworthy client relationships in this way. It’s all about the consistency and tapping into that inherent need for human connection.

Benefit 5: Audience Reach

Podcasts open more avenues.

When you collaborate with other brand leaders, there’s also additional marketing content. These co-branded social posts can help elevate your reach. The interaction is very two-way. It goes beyond traditional media consumers.

Its unique design, i.e., on-demand content, lets business leaders consume the media at their own convenience. Whether it’s between meetings, during their commute, or while exercising, a podcast leverages the moments in between- moments of maximum attention.

This agility in delivery facilitates podcasts to strike when the time’s right, and resonate with a broader audience.

But this isn’t the only way podcasts increase your audience reach.

Podcasts are long-form content pieces that entail repurposing potential. You can transcribe your podcasts and convert them into blog posts, YouTube videos, or LinkedIn posts.

This helps gauge the maximum potential of your content and elevate the podcast’s reach across diverse channels.

Podcast As A Strategic and Intimate Ecosystem

Leveraging podcasts boils down to curating a dialogue. It’s about conversations that are driven willingly, unlike other forms of marketing channels. Engaging podcasts are always a part of conversations, not a one-sided monologue.

Here’s why it works.

Dialogues are invitations that lead listeners towards competence and entice them to desire proficiency, expertise, and mastery. A dialogue informs you- but it’s something that you seek out, not just vaguely come across.

With podcasts, you don’t just listen in or pay attention to. You want to be part of a club.

This component has instilled podcasts at the very nucleus of marketing, turning them from a fun experiment to a marketing staple. And an audience-favorite.