By Trey Terry

No one enjoys change. We all like to believe that we are adaptable, but let’s be honest: No one naturally chooses change under ordinary circumstances. Why else would the phrase “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it,” become so widely used? I must have heard some form of that saying at least 100 times in the past two and a half years of working in sales with Cloud-Based Technology. The point missed, however, is that many people have lost the ability to recognize when a process is broken. The fact is that there is always room for improvement and Cloud Technology is purposed to aid businesses in doing just that. Improve.

We are all familiar with it. “The Cloud” has become the hot topic in business over the last 5-10 years. We all talk about “The Cloud” so much that it is thought of as some mystifying and abstract idea. The term is constantly thrown around and consistently overused. But do we truly understand the benefit that comes along with implementing Cloud-Based Software within our organizations? Let’s use HR Software as our example. I spent much of the last two and a half years meeting with Finance and HR Professionals to identify their goals and help them map out a path to achieving them through the utilization of our HR Cloud Technology. During that time, I never ceased to be amazed at the number of organizations who were content in their inefficiencies. In their desire to remain, they missed the opportunity to consider the value proposition that comes with Cloud-Based Technology.

While there are many reasons I could list to outline the benefits of Cloud-Based Technology, let’s keep this to what I consider to be the two key components of the Cloud: Mitigating exposure and increasing productivity. Executives in every company have the task of leading the strategic direction of their organizations, and much of that boils down to reducing costs and increasing revenues. Cloud-Based Technology provides a means by which organizations can achieve heightened productivity while reducing exposure.

Now, it is important to distinguish between risk and exposure. Risk is good. Executives face situations of risk on a weekly basis and often reap the benefits. Risk implies the potential for reward, and any successful executive has experienced a bout or two with risk. Exposure, on the other hand, has no upside. Exposure is the vulnerability to potentially harmful externalities, such as government fines or a security breach. Establishing security measures within an organization to protect from such exposure has become increasingly vital in today’s Tech-Age. Cloud-Based Technology provides a means by which data can be stored securely apart from a single source. Storing data on the cloud allows access to that information from anywhere. Moreover, it provides levels of access control to the data owner and/or authorized admins that can ensure immediate action upon potential threats. If the data is ever considered threatened, authorized admins can remotely protect and wipe data as seen fit. Cloud-Based Technology equips organizations to establish effective security standards, and overall reduce their exposure to harm. Once this is covered, organizations are better suited to take aim on their goals ahead.

If an organization is confident of the protection behind them, they are positioned to focus of the mission before them. This is where the second key component of the Cloud comes into play. Cloud-Based Technology creates an environment where employees can engage and collaborate with unparalleled flexibility. Employees can suddenly share documents instantly, collaborate on projects from anywhere, and establish effective inter-departmental communication. Instant collaboration promotes productivity. Employers need to focus on equipping their employees. Furthermore, as this new generational wave of employees hits the job market, technology becomes increasingly important for every business, small and large alike. Employees no longer feel attached to their first employer. In this “instant gratification” society, employees need to experience the value they bring to an organization. Organizations need to equip their employees with flexibility and insight into their information. The more organizations invest in their employees, the more productive the employees become. There is no better way to equip employees with flexibility and instant insight than through the Cloud.

“If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it!” The error of that statement is found in our definition of “broken.” If we consider “broken” to mean a system crash, then we might never need to consider a fix. We need to adapt our thinking to include the idea that if we are not growing and improving, then our processes are broken. The Cloud is here to stay. It is not some abstract thought. Cloud-Based Technology can aid businesses in increasing productivity and mitigating risk. No one likes change, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be open to options that may improve our business.

Trey Terry

Trey Terry is a business professional in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His experience in technology sales has driven his desire to help businesses become more effective in taking advantage of the cloud. Trey’s passion is working with people to determine the most proficient means of accomplishing the strategic mission of their organization. 

Phone: 919-943-1036

Email: tdterry2@liberty.edu

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/treyterry