Cloud Technology: It’s About Real Growth, Not Novelty
Will businesses be more efficient when they undergo a digital transformation? Is cloud technology as secure as it claims? Does automation mean minimizing human error and increasing productivity?
You may be conflicted on whether migrating to the cloud is right for you and your business. You refuse to jump on the digital bandwagon until you see more facts and stats. You wonder if cloud technology is nothing more than passing trends. You consider waiting it out to see if they will deliver on all their promises.
It’s understandable if you don’t want to give into your true novelty seeking ways. It doesn’t always mean it is better because something is shiny and new. People feel this way about their cars; if it runs fine and gets you where you need to go – why replace it?
When it comes to your business, it’s smart to over-analyze everything before committing to it. After all, launching your own business was risky enough, and the last thing you want to do is invite more risk by moving the company into unknown territory.
But what if your resistance to change ultimately leads to your business’s demise?
Internet and Mobile Use on the Rise
There’s so much more to cloud migration than just being one of the first to adopt cutting-edge technology. In fact, the early adopter stage in cloud computing has passed. However, migration to cloud technologies has been on the rise ever since mobile devices became more affordable and accessible. With more people owning mobile gadgets such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets, awareness and trust in cloud technology have improved.
According to Pew Research, 77% of Americans own a smartphone. Nearly 75% of adults own a laptop or desktop while about 50% own a tablet. Among those with mobile connectivity, 89% are online daily. In fact, according to Media Technology Monitor, surveyed Canadians reportedly spent 24.5 hours online per week in 2016; that number has gone up by 2 hours from the previous year.
Embracing Cloud Technology
When you resist digital transformation, you’re denying your business of the many advantages that come with adopting the cloud. Cloud-based solutions are for business owners who seek the ever-elusive work-life balance.
How?
Cloud technology allows you to focus on your value-added work by improving efficiency. Bottlenecks will be eliminated when workflows are automated, and you will be free from performing manual data entry. As your data is accessible from virtually anywhere with an Internet connection, decisions are more informed and made quicker. When you spend your valuable time on work that impacts business growth rather than lose yourself in tedious manual work, productivity and profitability inevitably increase.
You may not even realize it, but you’ve probably been using cloud technology for many years now, especially if you use Gmail or DropBox. If you’re still filled with hesitation but worry that you are stifling your business’ growth, you can always adopt the cloud in phases — no one said you had to migrate your entire business at once.
Try one cloud service at a time. From CRM providers to cloud accounting and marketing automation, countless cloud-based solutions exist.
And before you know it, you may find that the cloud has become your saviour.
Until the next time,