For any market, there will always be laggards. Even though almost everyone is now engaged with cloud computing in some form, some companies are still slow to adopt cloud services to help their business. There are a multitude of reasons that a company may not want or need the cloud for their business.

However, there exists another layer of disconnect for companies that have adopted the cloud but are not seeing the actualization of what it can offer. These companies may be seeing an even worse outcome from their cloud solutions, as they are not seeing the returns on what was implemented. In a recent study from PwC, the Cloud Business Survey found that 53% of companies have yet to realize substantial value from their cloud investments.

Cloud Adoption

There is no doubt that there are huge technological benefits from cloud migration. Services like greater security, scalability, and ingenuity offered by the cloud can improve business on so many levels.

There is a disconnect that can be difficult to address. Companies may be quick to adopt cloud solutions for their needs, but if there are misses in the initial planning, problems can compound later down the line. Cloud complexity can easily pile up, as businesses operating in multi-cloud environments find they did not plan for so many different services to integrate.

Importance of Cloud Improvements

There are solutions to this modern shift to the cloud. Most of the problems will be addressed with proper planning, but this is easier said than done. There are difficult conversations to be had with executives and boards of directors to be honest about where their business may be missing the mark and how to realign priorities. There are four chief actions to help close the gap for cloud integration.

Realignment

One of the unfortunate side effects of having a multi-tool is the disagreement on how to best utilize it. For example, CIOs may value innovation, vs CFOs who value improved resiliency.

The solution is to better consider how the cloud is a part of an entire business strategy and not just seen as a storage tool. Focus should be placed on where the cloud can help with strategic goals.

People-first approach

Many businesses are beginning to see the lack of cloud value connected to their need for valuable tech talent. For companies that are not approaching the cloud with a complete strategy in mind, leaving out the people portion is compounding their skills gap.

A good first step for companies is to start with digital upskilling for all employees. Adopting plans to help everyone learn new skills and ways of working will help set people up for better cloud competencies. This is a good step toward keeping pace with evolving technology. But it’s usually not enough.

In addition to upskilling, companies need to look to outside resources, recruiting tech talent that is well-versed in the already emerging cloud tech, as well as utilizing third-party vendors that possess the necessary knowledge and leveraging that for learning.

Measure risk in the beginning

For many organizations, using cloud-based cybersecurity strengthens defenses, while the use of cloud services can also increase vulnerabilities. It’s an interesting dichotomy that many companies are still trying to address. However, many organizations don’t begin to address security and risk-related issues until later in their stages of planning.

To address this issue, it’s best to build trust early, and reassure customers that the same compliance and security levels used in the past can be sustained through the cloud.

Purpose-driven approach

More and more consumers are focusing on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics for the companies they invest in. Because of this, many consumers are now discontinuing business with companies that don’t align with their values.

One of the best ways the cloud can help with aligning a company with ESG goals is utilizing cloud-based data management, analysis, and reporting. By measuring more than profitability, and considering other impactful data, companies can work on aligning their purpose.

Additionally, using cloud service providers (CSPs) to help achieve better green goals can help by looking into the CSP’s own green goals, like using energy alternatives. These efforts can be folded into a company’s own progress. Additionally, CSPs may be taking further steps than a parent company in their cybersecurity and data privacy measures, which fall under the social or governance aspects of ESG.

The Future

Wherever your company may be in their cloud journey, there is no doubt about the competitive market that the cloud has created. Misses today will only grow into greater shortfalls in the future. However, the cloud doesn’t have to be just a singular component of a business strategy. It pays to use the cloud to push forward every aspect of business improvement.

The adjustments that are necessary could present difficult decisions for company leaders. However, by taking the time to appropriately plan out a cloud strategy, reduce miscommunication around the cloud, and focus on utilizing tools to reach higher goals, the dividends from the cloud will align better with what the cloud can truly accomplish.

However, much of this strategic work can be managed by the proper cloud platform combined with dedicated IT professionals. Global IP Networks offers these services through their unique CloudKey^SM platform and the team of experts that have been helping businesses grow for over 20 years. Get started today by going to our contact page, so one of our experts can reach out to you and determine how we can best serve you.