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samedi 12 novembre 2016

How to Prepare Your Business When Engaging to the Cloud?

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Many companies now are searching for innovations when it comes to IT initiatives.

One popular trend that has been going on for years but recently being popularized is href="http://www.webhostingsecretrevealed.com/web-hosting-knowledge/cloud-hosting-infographic/">cloud computing. With cloud data storage, businesses can be more cost-efficient since they do not have to purchase hardware and train their staff to support and maintain physical data servers. However, like with any change, there are considerations and some price to pay. In this article, we will tackle on the preparations your business has to do when engaging to the cloud.

style="width: 760px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">class=" " alt="" src="http://www.webhostingsecretrevealed.net/images/2012/1031-1.jpg" width="750" />class="wp-caption-text">Infographic / Cloud Computing

1. Make everyone involved.

Since all employees from top to bottom will be affected by the change, the management must make sure that everyone is involved in the transition and everyone is on the same page during project integration. Some staff may have resistance since they are already used to depending on their local drives and backup drives found on their computer. They should not remain hesitant to use more advanced technologies.

Thorough explanation of what the project is all about, what’s in it for them, and how it can be done can effectively drive everybody involved to one certain direction. That is the goal of project integration. Make everybody know what is going on and what are they to do for the initiative. In this way, everybody will catch the vision and work for the vision.

2. Explain the benefits.

Management should make all staff realize the benefits of cloud computing and cloud data storage. Trainings to educate them can be one of the basic and helpful ways of deploying the change. This is to let them know how to access files and data securely from the cloud and use applications remotely. Then, they should express how the cloud is able to help them work more productively so that they can appreciate its value. It will also be helpful for companies to explain the cons just to justify their stand on cloud computing.

3. Provide a time frame.

With regards to the transition to cloud, the shift may not happen in one click of a mouse or in one shuteye. Management should give an expected time frame for the transition and implementation phases to allow everyone be boarded with knowledge and the knowhow to prepare and adopt successfully. One of the most essential and most neglected parts of transition is the training. Projects fail because of this. The group of IT professionals should be given the complete training for them to effectively handle their positions in terms of the cloud transition. This can be in a matter of three to five months or even extended to a year of training. In terms of the actual data transfer it can also take 3 months to a year, in case the company has such large volume of data that cannot be easily migrated to the new environment.

4. Review and map the business processes.

It is advisable for the management of the business to spearhead a business process analytical team to review and validate which business processes will be impacted on the transition to the cloud. Since employees have been using local storage devices and spaces and then shifting to remote storage that is cloud computing, deployment must be carefully planned. Business continuity is critical so cloud users must be able to function with similar business and support processes in case of a breakdown.

5. Check IT and security infrastructure capability and compatibility.

Everyone may be ready to conform to the change, but when the organization’s IT resources are not compatible and interoperable with cloud computing, such case is deemed to be a failure as well. Critical here is to check the network connection since the cloud largely operates depending on the speed and reliability of the Internet. Network traffic should be addressed and supported from third-party vendors or href="http://www.webhostingsecretrevealed.com/featured-articles/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-cloud-services-supplier/">cloud computing service providers should be guaranteed to offer help every time it is needed especially in times of disasters and other emergencies.

Conclusion

style="line-height: 1.5em;">There’s no doubt that mobility is key to members of the workforce today. Whether they are at home or in the workplace, they must be able to access the data they need to continue operations and at the same time be assured that data accessibility is protected. Cloud computing answers mobility concerns since it gives liberty to users to connect from anywhere via the web. However, moving to the cloud cannot be considered as an ordinary and easy project implementation. Rather, it necessitates everyone’s acceptance and understanding for a safe and secure transformation. In a project this big, the most critical part is the start. Project integration plays a very vital role in every project. It directs the project as to where it should go. It prevents scope creeps and it focuses all the efforts of the stakeholders. With solid guidance and advice from management and with these preparations, businesses will be able to achieve agility.

About The Author: Vanessa Parks
title="Vanessa Parks on Google Plus" href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/103379259506599860553/posts" target="_blank">Vanessa Parks is a Freelance Systems Analyst and Cloud Storage Consultant. She has been an advocate of Desktop virtualization and unified computing for improved work efficiency and performance. She also has a passion in dancing, cooking and playing golf.

Page 20 – Web Hosting Secret Revealed

Your Complete Guide for Engaging Brands, Reps and Bloggers

alt="Your Complete Guide for Engaging Brands, Reps and Bloggers" src="http://whsr.webrevenueinc1.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/100_0430-e1412967517501-500x375_c.jpg" />

Now that you’re blogging, it’s time to get professional about your networking. There are a multitude of opportunities to connect with like-minded bloggers, brands that fit your niche and products that suite your audience. This guide will tell you all the things you need to know to get started with events to build your blog business.

There are essentially 3 types of venues: conferences, expos and niched events. Each has a different feel.

Conferences

These are training events meant to draw people from a particular niche or interested in a common subject and they tend to pricy. There are plenty of conferences for bloggers.

Check out my href="http://mom-blog.com/social-media-conferences/" target="_blank">comprehensive list of blog and social media conferences that are scheduled.

id="attachment_11163" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright">class="size-medium wp-image-11163" src="http://whsr.webrevenueinc1.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gfexpo-badge-300x240.jpg" alt="gfexpo-badge" width="300" height="240" srcset="http://whsr.webrevenueinc1.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gfexpo-badge-300x240.jpg 300w, http://whsr.webrevenueinc1.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gfexpo-badge.jpg 503w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />class="wp-caption-text">A very good expo for my blog’s focus.

Expos

Expos are events where brands gather to showcase their products to the general public or conference attendees and offer samples, coupons and/or swag to visitors. When they are part of a blogger conference, they are usually included in the ticket price with brands expecting to build relationships with bloggers. Standalone expos tend may have small fees. New niched expos geared toward the general public can give you a leg up on pitching yourself to brands that need visibility.

At last year’s Gluten Free Expo, which was still new, I made a number of great relationships with brands that had not yet working with bloggers.

id="attachment_11161" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright">class="wp-image-11161 size-medium" src="http://whsr.webrevenueinc1.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/1009-Hasbro0042-L-300x240.jpeg" alt="Hasbro event" width="300" height="240" srcset="http://whsr.webrevenueinc1.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/1009-Hasbro0042-L-300x240.jpeg 300w, http://whsr.webrevenueinc1.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/1009-Hasbro0042-L.jpeg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />class="wp-caption-text">This Hasbro invitation-only cocktail party / play event was offered through Influence Central and took place near BlogHer 2012.

Niched Events

Private blogger events take place all over the country.

Some coincide with large conferences and most are invitation only. How do you get invited? Generally from either blogger marketing groups, such as Influence Central, or bloggers you know. Bloggers sometimes need to carpool, share expenses, or find a sub when they can’t attend an event. Last winter, another blogger invited me to carpool to the Family Game Summit event. It showcased dozens of Activision’s latest games as well as information on safety for kids gaming online. I got to review a number of games, well as offer up products for my holiday gift guide.

Selecting the Right Event

Between travel, lodging and tickets, events can be costly. Consider the following when choosing the best networking events for you:

Sponsors:
Conferences feature sponsors who supply everything from swag to the food. Pick ones with brands you’d like to work with.

Sessions and speakers:
Is there someone you really want to meet or something you want to learn about?

Event Size:
Smaller conferences allow you a more intimate venue for networking. A brand new conference may have also lower attendance, which may allow face time with the speakers. At the very first She Streams conference (which is now defunct), I met Mamavation’s Leah Segedie, and now I work for her.

Nearby Niched Events:
See if the conference is holding its own expo or if a group is hosting a related event nearby.

You can also bundle your event with that vacation you’ve been waiting to take, to save time and money.

Now that you’ve selected your event, let’s learn how to engage brands, reps and bloggers.

Networking With Brands And PR Reps

Sometimes you will be chatting with people directly from the company, but often you’ll meet the brand’s PR reps. Here’s what to do around the event.

1. Before

Get to know the brands.

While it can be overwhelming to go to a large expo, I recommend that you search out the top 3-5 sponsors that you would love to work with and get to know them very well by following them. Research them in great detail in press and in their feeds, and look for relative news that might affect them, especially if it plays into your niche. For example, Silk recently announced it was removing carrageenan from its products. Food allergy bloggers can capitalize on this news when they meet with Silk’s reps.

Prepare your elevator speech.

Everyone needs to have a 15-30 second speech about what their blog is about, what makes it unique and why people read it. Be sure to fit in which of their products work for your audience and why.

2. During

Share your successes as fact.

Every week, I write about food dangers and toxins in our environment every week, researching the facts from the most reliable sources I can find to get to the bottom of controversies and creating pinnable images for my job at Mamavation. My best posts have gone viral. I didn’t tell you that to brag but to showcase my experience; brands need that information. State it as fact, don’t gush and don’t be too timid either.

Attend early.

You can stop at every single table, but if you hit your top picks first, you can get to them before too many other bloggers have.

Offer teasers on how you can help them.

Share ideas on how to help them, but keep in mind some brands steal bloggers’ ideas while hiring someone else. Just give a teaser. If you have a great idea to promote their product, wait until they engage you with a contract to detail it.

Bring lots of business cards and a one-page media kit.

You probably won’t hand out the kit, but just bring it just in case you are asked.

3. After

Timely follow up.

Do not wait too long to follow up, but not the next day either. Give it a few days or a week, especially if you are going to write a post about the event first. You can then include them and tag them on social media, before contacting them. Refer to your notes when writing.

Don’t hassle them.

If you’ve sent 2 or 3 emails and have heard nothing, and are still sure you have the right contact, they are not interested. This does not mean they will never be interested, and PR reps can turn over a lot. You can certainly ask them why they have turned you down for something, as well, so that you can address the issue.Simply let it go and wait for the next event with this brand.

Be a professional.

Always live up to your commitments. Once engaged, follow these href="http://www.webhostingsecretrevealed.net/blog/brands-bloggers-best-practices-for-working-together/" target="_blank">best practices for working with brands.

id="attachment_11162" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright">class="size-medium wp-image-11162" src="http://whsr.webrevenueinc1.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/100_0430-300x224.jpg" alt="Some of my favorite green bloggers, who I met in 2010 and I'm still friends with." width="300" height="224" />class="wp-caption-text">Some of my favorite green bloggers, who I met in 2010 and I’m still friends with.

Networking With Bloggers

For bloggers, most of the above applies, but with a more casual approach. In addition, these tips will help:

1. “What’s your blog?”

Just strike up a discussion with this question. I’ve yet to meet a blogger who didn’t want to talk about either her blog or project. Don’t be shallow though. Take care to listen, note the blog, look it up and be ready to jump in and help if you think you can. Always mention if you recognize their work!

2. Listen more than you speak.

All bloggers all want to be heard. Briedly tell the blogger what you’re all about and then listen to their story and ask questions. You’re more likely to find common ground that way – or learn that you’re not a good fit. If so, it’s ok to politely move on.

3. Help them out.

Can they guest post on your blog? Do they need guest posts? Just like with brands, after you get home, share and favorite their social media posts and comment on their blogs.

4. Build relationships.

Don’t just think about yourself. This means helping bloggers bigger than you AND reaching out to new or small bloggers. You will build friendships as well as professional relationships.

5. Don’t forget them.

Keep in touch, keep promoting them and keep saying “hi”. Attend their Twitter parties. Share and enter their low entries contests. Tag them with things you know they’d love. Give them a shout out on your blog. You might want to build a G+ community and create a Twitter list for bloggers you’ve met at conferences, and do connect again in person at the next conference!

Bonus: Pro Tips To Improve Your Networking

Take a photo.

Ever look at a business card from a PR firm and forget their product? One way to remember faces is to snap a photo with you, the rep and their product. I did this at Blogger Bash to remember who was at what table in the expo. Try to capture their badge to remember their name especially if they’ve run out of business cards.

Take notes.

You had a great conversation with this person – but you also had 20 other great conversations. How can you remember the discussion? Bring a fine sharpie and write a note on their business card.

If there’s no room, you might want to bring small, white stickers to stick over unessential information for notes.

Organize cards and events.

Separate or code business cards from bloggers, brands and reps. if you’re going to multiple events at the same time, sort events. One blogger I met brought a small hole punch and put the cards on individuals key rings labeled with event name.

Dress properly.

Unless otherwise noted, dress business casual – and bring a sweater. Conferences rooms get cold! If it’s an event with dancing and/or cocktails, you can dress a little fancier. You could be standing for 8 hours or more, so wear shoes that allow your feet to hold up. Make sure that you have the necessities you need (smartphone, mobile charger, business cards, media kit) easily accessible and have room to carry home small items and info sheets. A tote or messenger bag is helpful, with a wristlet or holder for cards. Some bloggers keep business cards in their lanyards for easier access.

That is everything you need to network like a pro when you attend events. Share your creative ideas for keeping organized at events.

Page 11 – Web Hosting Secret Revealed