So you’ve decided to take the leap and move your business operations up into the cloud. Congratulations! While it might seem scary, the cloud is a safe space, and moving your business to this IT model is a solid choice.
Cloud can enhance and enable almost any IT environment, whether it’s public cloud, hybrid cloud or private cloud infrastructure. Today’s businesses are seeking agile, scalable, on-demand business solutions with reduced costs and minimized risk. Cloud computing is often the answer—on an ever-growing scale.
But how do you, and your employees, take this transformational step, and take it smoothly? How do you ensure that there is little to no impact to your clients or customers?
Moving your business to the cloud should be fairly seamless—and Ricoh IT Services can help—but as with any major change, your company culture will also need to change to accommodate the new ways of working.
While the technical change will be quick, the cultural change will take time; think of it more like a long-distance run rather than a sprint. It will take time, and planning, to ensure that your business chooses the best path forward and minimizes any issues along the way.
Here are some important considerations that can make this transition much smoother for your business.
Leadership needs to lead
Cloud is not an off-the-rack proposition. It’s an entirely different way to use and consume your IT, and it needs to be tailored to your business needs.
The push for a move to the cloud often comes from middle management—the people who live and breathe processes, and who would benefit most from the switch.
However, changing culture requires the leaders of the company to believe in, and lead, this transformation. They need to influence and express endorsement for the new ways of working.
Need help pitching the switch to your leaders? Find out how Ricoh IT Services can help.
See the change, be the change
The cultural change associated with your move to the cloud should be a long-distance run, but don’t let it become a full marathon.
Transition can often be a concept that will be dealt with eventually—but “eventually” isn’t fair to your employees.
Have the members of your leadership group use their influence to create a sense of urgency around both the technical and transformational changes. Your company will need buy-in from all employees, not just the IT team or department.
Communication is key
Surprise process changes are rarely fun for employees—and they can cause unnecessary risk that could trickle down all the way to your clients or customers.
Further, employees need to understand the why and the how. Otherwise, you may experience resistance to the change.
Clearly communicate the reasons for your company’s move to the cloud, how it will be executed, and what it means for your workforce.
