MarketStar Blog

Itwasn’t too long ago that cloud computing was still a relatively new model of operation. There were serious concerns at the time about the security, legal implications1 and performance2 of the technology, but things have come a long way since then. As time passed and the concerns were gradually addressed, the use of cloud computing spread. Today, it’s firmly established as a mainstream practice. The question is no longer whether utilizing the cloud is a good idea; it’s now a matter of how to best leverage the technology. The answer is simple: adopt a cloud-first approach.

Taking a cloud-first approach means adopting a mindset wherein the cloud will be your first and main consideration before turning to other alternatives for any emergent business requirements such as technological upgrades or workload and data migration. 

Here are a few reasons why it’s time for you to take a cloud-first approach to business: 

1. Cloud Cuts Cost

One of the first benefits associated with the adoption of cloud is cost saving. Provisioning and maintaining your own on-premise hardware is cumbersome, time-intensive and expensive; updating and repairing hardware, along with personnel costs, can quickly nibble away your budget. By opting to move to the cloud, you forgo these expenses in favor of a monthly or usage-based fee paid to your cloud provider, allowing you to enjoy all the benefits that cloud has to offer without worrying about any of the upkeep3. 

2. Scalability is Critical to Success

There will come a time for any budding business when its internal infrastructure can no longer keep up with the increasingly demanding operational requirements. The ability of an organization to quickly adjust to shifting needs is critical to its long-term success. Whether scaling up or down, cloud gives you the flexibility to provision resources as needed. With a usage-based tariff, this allows you to always meet business requirements at minimal cost, keeping operations smooth and efficient3. 

3. Security Issues Have Been Addressed

In its early days, apprehension about cloud computing was widespread and legitimate. The risks of adoption were high; security, in particular, was a big concern for early adopters looking to implement this practice 4. Now that the field has matured, many of the reservations initially held about cloud computing are no longer valid; in fact, security is one of the biggest strengths of the cloud. In fact, according to Gartner, through 2022, at least 95% of cloud security failures will be the customer’s fault. This indicates that the flaws lie not within the technology itself, but in the way it’s used5. 

4. Future-Proofing Your Organization

The cloud has been a disruptive force over the last decade, and the field is set to be the area of focus for further advancement in the foreseeable future. Game-changing innovations that are yet to come will almost certainly be geared toward cloud computing. Taking a cloud-first approach now means that you’ll be perfectly situated to reap maximum benefit from said innovations when they arrive, at minimal cost and restructuring. This will translate to improved agility, streamlined operations and quicker time to market6. 

5. Embracing Mobility

With today’s bring-your-own-device culture in the workplace, cloud adoption is an obvious choice. If an internet connection is available, your employees can work from any location on any device in real time. This level of flexibility means that productivity rarely suffers because of restrictive circumstances7. 

6. Encouraging Innovation

The cloud environment grants you access to all the latest software releases virtually instantaneously, be it new technologies or updates. Such freedom encourages experimentation with little or no downside, which leads to innovation. Trying out new delivery models, leveraging big data, implementing artificial intelligence – the possibilities are limitless, and you might just stumble upon something that works for you and gives you an advantage over competitors8.

It’s clear that cloud computing is here to stay. Organizations that align themselves with the vision of a ‘cloud-first’ approach can expect to reap significant rewards in the not-so-distant future.

Embrace the Future with a Cloud-First Approach

Adopting a cloud-first approach can revolutionize your business, driving cost savings, scalability, security, and innovation. By prioritizing the cloud for your technological needs, you future-proof your organization, enabling flexibility and embracing mobility. The cloud allows for seamless updates and encourages experimentation, setting you up for long-term success. As cloud computing continues to evolve, businesses that embrace this approach will be well-positioned to reap substantial benefits and maintain a competitive edge in the ever-changing marketplace. 

References: 

http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.729.163&rep=rep1&type=pdf  

https://ts.data61.csiro.au/publications/nicta_full_text/4387.pdf  

https://nordic-backup.com/blog/benefits-of-cloud-first-strategy-for-business/  

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-computing-cloud-survey/cloud-computing-disappoints-early-adopters-survey-idUSTRE7932G720111004  

https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/is-the-cloud-secure/  

https://www.securityroundtable.org/cloud-first-security-strategy/  

http://www.inteqna.com/blog/4-benefits-of-a-cloud-first-business-strategy  

https://www.ibm.com/blogs/watson/2017/04/beyond-cloud-businesses-need-truly-cloud-first-strategy/

As the sales industry continues its rapid evolution, sales reps will need a higher level of technical competency to sell complex products, services, and solutions. Technology has created a demand for sales teams to stay up to speed on the wants and needs of their customers and the pulse of their respective industries at large. Not only is technology changing how teams operate and interact with their customers, but products are becoming increasingly complex. This requires a rethinking of sales knowledge and skill sets.

Freelancing has been on an up-trend for some years now. It’s rapidly changing not only the way we work but the way we think about work, view clients, and negotiate with those who deliver services to us. Businesses can benefit from this trend. Here’s how. 

While most businesses believe that the risks of investing in emerging markets have increased over the past decade, just as many believe that the rewards have also increased, especially in markets that seem to have become saturated with existing customers and competition. In other words, businesses by and large believe that the risk and return ratio of investing in global markets is becoming increasingly favorable.

Sales organizations have an unprecedented amount of data available at their fingertips. While it’s easier than ever to access big data, the data itself can be overwhelming. In fact, 53 percent of sales managers say they feel overwhelmed by the volume of data, and 38 percent admit that they don’t know what to do with data once they get it.

You and your team of salespeople likely excel at closing sales. You likely have a firm grasp of managing your top enterprise accounts. However, managing a funnel of leads and prospecting and qualifying them for growth are also likely consistent challenges.

You aren’t alone. As data shows, 25 percent of leads are legitimate and should advance to sales, but 79 percent of marketing leads never convert. What’s more, 73 percent of leads are not sales-ready, and 50 percent are qualified but not yet ready to buy.

The industry has become both increasingly accessible and competitive thanks in part to improved tools and software. On one hand, technology has simplified and automated an array of processes. On the other, it has created a demand for sales teams and their managers to stay up to date.

These days, deploying the right technology and tools is essential to success. According to a recent report, the tools that a sales rep uses are highly correlated to the rep’s performance. In fact, 82 percent of top salespeople cite sales tools as “critical” to their ability to close deals.

You already know that inside sales drives more revenue at a lower cost. However, in order to manage teams and ensure a steady flow of leads, this requires appropriate tools and technology.

As big data becomes a reality for businesses looking to manage large volumes of information, data analytics tools have emerged as a reliable way to identify trends and patterns and monitor buyer activity. These tools create a better understanding of your prospects. And while this may be a no-brainer, information-based decisions are better than arbitrary or judgmental ones. 

Channel partners have become more diverse than ever, making it hard to rely on one or two profiles to build an effective support and coverage model. This diversity only grows as you move further down the list of channel partners until you reach the bottom tier, where most vendors see the mix of high diversity and low revenue potential as a reason to write off any support beyond a portal or website. If you want to capture significant long tail revenue, you need to avoid generic messaging and give partners effective communication that fits their specific needs.

What is Customer Success? 

Customer success simply means focusing on the results your customers get from using your product¹. The more successful outcomes your product generates, the likelier they are to continuing using it. This might seem like common-sense, but involves a basic shift in thinking – from products and features to outcomes and business benefits. That is, focusing on why customers bought your product and whether those needs are being satisfied.