entrepreneur tips – Getentrepreneurial.com: Resources for Small Business Entrepreneurs in 2024

_cloud-computing

No matter what kind of business you have, there’s a good chance technology will factor into a large part of it. You might rely on databases to track shipments, or use tablets to capture details of customer feedback on the fly. Technology today allows the information that drives your business to be immediately updated and accessed thanks to “the cloud.”

One of the great advantages of cloud computing is that it allows you to access data wherever you are, and across multiple devices. However, a recent survey shows small business owners, in particular, are reluctant to embrace cloud computing.

That’s probably partially because they don’t feel tech-savvy enough. If you can relate, keep reading. As you’ll soon see, there are many things about cloud technology that could benefit your business.

Cloud Computing Is Extremely Adaptable to Your Needs

Most companies that offer cloud computing provide several storage and pricing tiers for users. Maybe you’re not sure how much storage you’ll need, and are hesitant to enter into a long-term contract. Often, that’s not a problem. You may even be able to buy more space and access as needed and simply pay a per-month fee.

That’s all very helpful if your business is rapidly growing. Furthermore, it’s comforting if you just want to casually check out how cloud computing could help your business without diving in too deeply during the early stages. Even contract-based providers frequently give complimentary trial periods so you can get a handle on whether a particular service would be suitable for the way you do business.

You’re Probably Already Somewhat Familiar With Cloud Computing

If you’re under the impression you haven’t worked with cloud computing at all yet, that’s likely not the case. After all, web-based email providers like Yahoo and Gmail paved the way for other types of cloud services.

You Can Get a Cloud-Based Service From a Familiar Brand

Maybe you’re hesitant to start working with new brands within your company and are staunchly against trying out something that’s offered by a provider you haven’t used before. Even with that limitation, you should still be able to find cloud-based technology that fits your business model.

Amazon, Microsoft and Sales Force are just some marketplace leaders that have developed cloud technology for entrepreneurs and other customers. General Electric has even specialized its offerings even further and will soon be launching a service that stores data in the cloud and is geared towards the industrial sector.

Cloud Technology Gives Your Employees Greater Mobility

Things like bad weather, contagious ailments and car trouble could all keep your workforce away from the office, yet potentially still able to stay productive as long as they can access their files. Depending on how many employees you have, any obstacles that prevent workers from coming to the office could be devastating as you attempt to reach business targets.

Fortunately, cloud computing allows employees to work from wherever they are, without the inconvenience of having to carry physical storage devices. What’s more, that same benefit also extends to you. Have you been thinking of taking a mid-week trip to a major metropolitan city so you can go to a conference that’s catered to people with startup companies? Cloud computing lets you stay on the move without worrying things might grind to a halt if you step away from your company’s physical location. Additionally, the cloud has revolutionized mobile field service software for field workers.

Cloud Computing Gives You a Leg Up on Data Analysis

Let’s face it: Data isn’t very valuable if you only store it but never take a closer look at the information within. Unfortunately though, some entrepreneurs are so caught up in the day-to-day operations of their venture that they find it much too time consuming to analyze captured statistics.

Fortunately, it’s possible to purchase hosted solutions that let you quickly access months of data. Examine data represented in charts, bar graphs and more, all with a few clicks of your mouse. User-friendly interfaces make it simple to look at the data you need and extract pertinent details.

Also, many solutions don’t require you to install special hardware or software to evaluate your data. Because everything’s so straightforward, you can be proactive about not only keeping data organized, but also seeing what the information reveals about your establishment.

Many Cloud-Based Servers Are Quite Secure

Understandably, some entrepreneurs are hesitant to move their files over to the cloud because they wonder about its safety. One advantage of keeping files on-site and in tangible formats is you can take extra precautions for preserving the security of the data. Are those same steps being followed in the cloud computing industry? That depends.

Some cloud providers take steps so even people who are administrators for the cloud company’s servers cannot see your data. If you’re really concerned, you can encrypt your data before transferring it to the cloud. As a general rule, if you rely on a company to encrypt your data, it can also theoretically decrypt it.

Cloud Computing Can Safeguard Against Issues Related to Hard Drive Failures

CrashPlan and Carbonite are two cloud-based providers that specialize in ongoing backup services for computers. Hopefully you don’t yet have first-hand experience of how much and how quickly your business could be affected by a failed hard drive.

Even if you work from a relatively new laptop, accidents happen, and hard drives can stop working. Whether your laptop falls from under your arm when you’re trying to carry it and answer the phone at the same time, or spilled coffee is the culprit that ultimately renders your computer inoperable, cloud computing could save the day.

Cloud backup services run in the background, so you barely even notice files are being transferred into the cloud. Furthermore, some have the ability to instantly access folders and transfer them onto new computers, which is handy if you have a new hard drive and want to be very picky about what you store on it.

Some entrepreneurs think cloud-based services will cause headaches, especially if they are not familiar with this type of technology. However, most providers specifically design their offerings to match the needs of today’s entrepreneurs. And they make the services very simple to use, so you may wonder why you ever dealt with other methods for so long.

What do you need to start a successful business?
It’s a question almost all entrepreneurs have pondered. Do you need a business plan before you start, funding to fall back on, or a detailed strategy for how your company will grow? Nearly half of all small businesses fail within the first year of operation- what’s the difference between those that fail and those that succeed?
I recently had the opportunity to speak with Judi Sheppard Missett, founder of Jazzercise. Missett built Jazzercise from a one-woman operation into an international corporation with over 7500 franchises worldwide. Here’s what I learned from our conversation:
You don’t always need start-up capital. “I didn’t even get a business loan,” she told me- something virtually unheard of in many entrepreneurial circles. This should come as wonderful news for anyone trying to start a business on a lean budget or without the resources they think they need.
Evaluate your costs of doing business, and show smart for the resources you need to get started. For example, you can usually find a great website designer for a few thousand dollars if you shop around and compare quotes. Most of what you really need is accessible without a large nest of start-up money.

Provide what the customer finds valuable… Missett taught a jazz dance class in Chicago that eventually lead to the Jazzercise idea. At first, she instructed with an eye to technique and form –just like she had been taught while training to become a professional performer. When students stopped coming to class, she had that “lightbulb” moment- the students cared more about looking like professional dancers than dancing like them. From then on, Missett taught the kind of class her students wanted- fun, no mirrors, great music, and lots of movement.
Too many business owners come up with an idea and try to find a market. Missett proves that the other way around is usually more successful- listen to what customers want, and figure out a way to give it to them. Do research on customer patterns, find a way to track behavior by hiring an online marketing company or tracking marketing campaigns and sales strategically.
…And be willing to adapt and change to customer needs. Jazzercise has managed to grow in spite of the “fad” element most fitness trends seem to capitalize on, precisely because customers still get what they want- Jazzercise programs now incorporate strength moves, contemporary music, and other elements that customers began to want as the program became more popular.
Planning and development aren’t just for startups. If your customer base is growing or changing, you need to grow and change, too. Use email blasts to keep in touch with customers, and build relationships while your business is growing. Keep your offerings exciting and fun, but consistent with the product customers have grown to love.
Listen for opportunity knocking! As the saying goes, you should be ready to answer when opportunities come pounding on your door. When Missett began teaching in San Diego, many of her students were military spouses who moved to far away cities and wanted to continue the program.. Missett’s husband was familiar VHS video, then just a developing technology, so she videotaped routines for faraway teachers. This effort lead to the formation of what is now JM DigitalWorks, a video production company that is a division of Jazzercise.
Don’t wait to be in the right place at the right time- evaluate the resources you already have, and try to create opportunities for yourself . As Judi Sheppard Missett says, “We are all in the right place at the right time, we just need to be aware of it.”