With an ever growing body of evidence, it is clear that cloud computing or business IT migration to the cloud is increasing.  IDC forecasts global public IT cloud services to reach $127 billion in 2018, representing a compound annual growth rate of 22.9%!

It is also clear that selling cloud solutions has become the new growth industry for cloud oriented partners and entrepreneurs. Such businesses or practices can expect to experience 60% higher gross profits, double the growth rate and 50% more new customers. And, finally, while all of the preceding is a statement of fact or study, it does not foretell of the complete termination of premise based computers or IT infrastructure. Therein lies the conundrum.

Where is the line between the zealots who say businesses will always need premise based IT and those that say the end is near?

Which brings us to the purpose of this new blog, Cirrious Cloud Sense. It is not simple to navigate the rushing currents of change steering IT decision making from CIOs (the Providers) to Marketing, Sales, Operations, Finance and even HR (the Users).  Yet, the change should not be marked by storm clouds but instead be seen as a positive direction that embraces ever evolving information and computer technology and the growing importance of innovative software. Tools that don’t just solve problems but more importantly resolve business impacting opportunities.

Delivering impactful business outcomes is the responsibility of every department within a company. Business outcomes that effect the bottom line of the financials is of utmost concern to every member of the management team. That concern drives the need for:

• Faster implementation of solutions
• Better ROI
• Minimization of capital expenses resulting in improvement of the services and products delivered to customers

Cloud computing best meets the criteria to address the concern.  Channel partners need to become “cloud-oriented” and “cloud smart” to understand how to lead the conversation and win the business. Becoming cloud smart requires partners to examine their business from top to bottom. However, it doesn’t require a MBA or months of analysis and preparation. Rather it follows the logical business development flow that has been instituted for decades:

• Development of a Business Plan or Strategy
• Identification of resources to be successful (financial, employees, partners, products)
• Participation in industry and technology training
• Marketing/Exploitation of the differentiation or value-add of the business
• Realistic and determined sales execution and product delivery
• Exceptional Customer Service

Identifying the key bullet points is easy. The difficulty lies in understanding and developing the details. Cirrus clouds exist at the highest heights and are usually an indication of fair weather ahead. Cirrious Cloud Sense exists to support cloud channel partners to rise to their highest potential and smoothly navigate the IT migration to the cloud.

Each week Cirrious Cloud Sense will offer new information and perspectives to succeed in developing and growing a successful cloud business.