Stacy Jackson, Author at Jackson Marketing, Inc.

In today's digital-savvy organizations, cloud-based tools are everywhere you turn—even if you've yet to realize it. Does your team collaborate and share documents or campaign materials through Google Drive? Are you constantly sending messages through Slack to keep your colleagues up to date and in the know? Do you rely on your carefully curated Spotify playlist to keep you motivated throughout the day? These are just a few examples of how the cloud is making a major impact on today's businesses. In fact, RightScale's 2019 State of the Cloud report indicates that 94% of today's businesses have adopted the cloud into their daily operations. The use of cloud-based solutions has enabled many B2B organizations to leverage the latest technologies to stay relevant and competitive in the marketplace. If you're still on the fence about cloud-based software, here are some key benefits you can't afford to ignore: It makes collaboration simpler Today's businesses have the cloud to thank for many of their workflow efficiencies, which have been shaped by the many collaborative tools established by cloud technologies. Because the cloud operates through the internet, it allows users to access data anywhere they can access an internet connection. Rather than becoming bogged down by pesky revisions, back-and-forth communication, or heavily marked hardcopies, cloud-based document sharing tools make creating new materials more efficient and less arduous than ever before. Using applications like Google Drive, Dropbox, or a host of others has made it easier for professionals to collaborate on important documents, whether they're working remotely, in the office, or on the go. In turn, collaboration processes have become much more efficient. Rather than sending files back and forth over email or exchanging information through lengthy phone calls, team members can collaboratively update shared files in real-time. This reduces the time it takes to collaborate on new campaign materials, in-house presentations, or client-facing deliverables and allows teams to accomplish daily tasks efficiently. It provides your business with the resources to scale Because B2B companies often handle large accounts with high volume and order value, the ability to scale up or down quickly as a response to customer needs is key to meeting market demand while minimizing overhead. The cloud gives your business the option to grow and contract as your business requires it; some cloud providers operate on a "pay-as-you-use" principle, meaning the offering scales as a company does. Companies can turn cloud applications "on" or "off" to adjust to changing business needs. Cloud-based tools also ensure that while your business scales, it's maintaining proper cost efficiencies. Aside from eliminating the high cost of hardware, users benefit from a subscription-based model that's much kinder to cash flow. Coupled with the ability to scale up or down, you're able to examine and invest in channels that bring a higher ROI. For example, saving on cloud storage may offer you the opportunity to transfer funds to marketing or sales budgets. It allows you to stay current on technology In order for businesses to remain a fierce competitor in today's marketplace, it's important to stay up to date with modern technologies. In fact, although many of today's cloud users originally opted to move to the cloud due to cost savings, the majority now cite "staying current on technology" as a top benefit. Whether it's customer service, eCommerce, payment processing, back-end operations, or security—you need access to the latest features to optimize cost efficiency and maximize the ROI of your cloud investment. Not all cloud providers dedicate the same resources toward research and development. For example, Infor Lawson dedicates just $489 million annually, whereas other leaders in the space spend up to $6 billion. Be sure to find a cloud vendor that updates its offerings several times a year with the latest features, capabilities, and best practices. It personalizes business communications With customer-centric businesses like Zappos and Amazon taking over B2C shopping behaviors, today's buyers have come to expect and prefer a superior customer service experience. This must also hold true for B2B organizations in order to drive customer loyalty and business success. Because technology has made it easier to conduct business on a larger scale with more people, human interaction has decreased significantly. As a result, the human touch involved in business interactions has diminished. However, this is quickly changing thanks to modern cloud-based business software. Cloud-based platforms available today, like a CRM system, are built to support complex pricing models and diverse product portfolios, delivering custom experiences to different sets of customers. As business technologies continue to grow, the cloud will continue to gain momentum as a vital component for business success. The cloud and its many functions provide today's B2B organizations with an array of benefits and are sure to be a useful investment for future business success.

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