Explaining API and API-centric Architecture to your CEO

[Tomasz Blachowicz]

Hi there,

Here is the thing. I'd like to drive evolution of our software towards
more API-centric or platform architecture. In order to do so I have to
be able to explain what API and platform is to non-technical people
including CEO of the company I work for. He is very eager to listen to
that idea of API and potential benefits to the business he is heading.

Can you please give me some advice how to explain the concept of API
and the platform to CEO without going too deeply into technical
details but still present concrete content and not just a buzzword-
loaded waffle? Can you recommend any good introductory reading, slide
shows or video casts I could look into while preparing for my
presentation?

Kind Regards,
Tomasz

[Brian Mulloy]

This article from Forbes might be helpful:

Explaining the API Revolution to your CEO

http://www.forbes.com/sites/danwoods/2011/12/15/explaining-the-api-revolution-to-your-ceo/

[Kin Lane]

Hey Tomasz,

I have to pitch some of my own work here, as this is my mission as API Evangelist is to help business folk understand the value of APIs.   I'd start with:

• API 101

To understand what an API Centric approach has done for other businesses, or can do for your business:

• The Secret to Amazons Success Internal APIs
• RESTful Business Architecture
• APIs Can Decouple Business Information and Resources
• APIs Power Partner Relationships
• APIs Power Netflix’s Move to Cloud, Enabling World Domination

Then if you want to go further, my book Business of APIs helps walk through the history, technology and building blocks for delivering APIs and marketing to developers in a very non-technical way.

Hope that helps.

Kin Lane

kin...@gmail.com

[Tomasz Blachowicz]

Hi Kin,

This is great! I like the stuff I can find on API Evangelist website.
Very interesting content in one place.

Cheers,
Tomasz

On Feb 16, 4:05 pm, Kin Lane <kinl...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey Tomasz,
>
> I have to pitch some of my own work here, as this is my mission as API
> Evangelist is to help business folk understand the value of APIs.   I'd
> start with:
>

>    - API 101 <http://www.apievangelist.com/>

>
> To understand what an API Centric approach has done for other businesses,
> or can do for your business:
>

>    -
>    - The Secret to Amazons Success Internal
> APIs<http://blog.apievangelist.com/2012/01/12/the-secret-to-amazons-succes...>
>    - RESTful Business
> Architecture<http://blog.apievangelist.com/2011/12/12/restful-business-architecture/>
>    - APIs Can Decouple Business Information and
> Resources<http://blog.apievangelist.com/2011/12/25/apis-can-decouple-business-i...>
>    - APIs Power Partner
> Relationships<http://www.apievangelist.com/2011/01/30/apis-power-partner-relationsh...>
>    - APIs Power Netflix’s Move to Cloud, Enabling World
> Domination<http://blog.programmableweb.com/2011/06/20/apis-power-netflix%E2%80%9...>

>
> Then if you want to go further, my book Business of

> APIs<http://www.apievangelist.com/business_of_apis.php>helps walk

> through the history, technology and building blocks for
> delivering APIs and marketing to developers in a very non-technical way.
>
> Hope that helps.
>
> Kin Lane

> kinl...@gmail.com