About two days ago we posted our introduction in this series of what will be six posts. You can find the first introduction post here: 5 STEPS TO IT SERVICE PROVIDER VICTORY WITH CLOUD - Introduction.
In that post we covered the first five tips in the series, out of what will be a total of 28 tips in all. I thought I would share some informative stuff and give you a taste of what kind of content to expect from the ITSM RHINO as it spins up for launch in the coming weeks.
So, let's get on with Part 1 of our path to victory with cloud for service providers. In Part 1 we focus on the first step, which is just letting peeps know the cloud exists and it is not in the sky making rain.
STEP 1: MAKING CUSTOMERS AWARE OF THE CLOUD
To market this service, you must first make customers and prospects aware of it. Cloud vendors will assist you with this as most as already selling their services.
TIP #6: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF VENDORS MARKETING EFFORTS
Cloud vendors are spending millions on bringing awareness to the public, and most importantly, businesses. This increased awareness means you need to take the initiative and consult with your customers about cloud services. You must do this before your competition reaches them. An excellent way to start is with an email campaign informing them of what you have to offer.
TIP #7: FOCUS ON "ANCHOR" SOLUTIONS
Focus on what your customers are most likely to need. According to statistics, 45% of businesses that transition to the cloud, will start with either a communication/collaboration service or content management service. You can view these services as an anchor around which other services can build later.
TIP #8: PREPARE YOURSELF FOR CUSTOMER CONCERNS
As you educate your customers on the benefits of cloud services, they will usually begin to raise concerns about your services. These can range from security worries along with dependability and performance issues. Some may also be concerned about losing control of their IT processes and business data.
TIP #9: COUNTER THESE OBJECTIONS BY HAVING ANSWERS PREPARED
You should have answers and FAQs prepared for these inquiries and concerns. Additionally, looking at cloud vendors, FAQs will help you answer and deal with customer objections.
CONCLUSION OF PART 1
That's it for Part 1 and Step 1 with steps 6-9. Be looking for the third post in this series in a day or two.
Be sure to leave any comments, questions, hate, or discontent in the comments below.
