Many managers and CEOs get nervous about the cloud, feeling a mixture of fear of the unknown and fear of third-party systems instead of internal, trusted ones. However, hiring a cloud provider for your data storage needs can be more secure in the long run and save your company money. Here’s how you can get your boss on board.
Research Different Options and Providers
There are two reasons for management to say no to a new vendor: cost and security. This is a serious challenge for cloud providers, as 72 percent of business owners don’t trust external vendors to comply with data laws. To fight this stereotype, research different cloud providers to find ones that understand your industry. If they’ve worked with the data of your industry peers, then they’ll know how to handle yours.
To fight the stigma that cloud storage is expensive, look for cloud companies that have scalable plans. This way you’ll pay less in the short run, but you can grow with the company in the future. Researching these plans will prepare you to present the best options to management while proving that you’ve thought the decision through.
Find Educational Materials for Training
There was a time in the 1990s when companies avoided creating email accounts for their employees; computers were considered an expensive fad. The excuses haven’t changed, but technology has. Often the importance of switching to cloud storage lies in education. Start with the lower levels of your team to test what works, then start educating your managers and senior executives on the importance of cloud storage. They might want to speak with professionals to get their advice or might simply need an online cloud security education to familiarize themselves with the concepts.
Once your CEO is sold on the concept of cloud storage, it’s only a matter of getting him or her to agree to the best option.
Walk Through the Change with Demos
If your boss still isn’t convinced about the value of the cloud, it could be because the transition is perceived as too complex. After all, a lot could go wrong during the data move, and retraining employees on the new system could be challenging and time-consuming.
To assuage these worries, schedule demos with a few companies that you’re considering, and ask those companies to “mock train” you and a few coworkers, walking you through the storage process. You can even invite your boss to train on the new system. This hands-on approach will prove that your company can make the change without losing time and money.
If all else fails, suggest that your company start small. Instead of moving all your data, find a small set of files and opt to store them in the cloud. This will give your boss time to see that it’s valuable while letting your coworkers familiarize themselves with the new technology vendor. Many cloud companies should agree to this, as a small sale today could lead to a larger sale in the future when all your data is moved.