According to research conducted by MYOB, small businesses that use cloud computing were 106% more likely to see a revenue rise in the past year.
This happy figure is from the March 2013 MYOB Business Monitor, which is takes its data from a survey of 1005 small and medium-sized businesses ranging from sole traders to 100 employees companies, across major industry sectors. Unfortunately, the same research showed that only 16% of the businesses surveyed said they use cloud computing in business. This is actually up from 14% in MYOB’s July 2012 report by an unimpressive 2%.
Those of us who have made that giant leap of faith and trusted our priceless emails to something so intangible they even called it ‘cloud’ were 106% more likely to see a revenue rise in the past year than those who have not, up from 53% in July. That is remarkably good news, if you ask me, and one I will be happily sharing with all my small business clients still clinging on to their servers. Although, I do believe that the figures show more about the abilities and motivation of the owners than some sort of magic exerted by the cloud on their businesses.
More good news? Ok, business operators in the cloud were not only more likely to see a revenue rise in the past year, they were more likely to expect one in the next year (37% versus 28%). These lovely people (myself included) were also more positive about the domestic economy improving within 12 months (33% versus 23%).
MYOB chief executive, Mr Tim Reed, said he was surprised to find out just how few respondents said they used cloud computing in business.
“It’s obvious that as time goes on Australian business operators using cloud computing are increasingly likely to achieve positive financial results,” Reed said in a statement.
“Our research findings provide a clear-cut case for embracing online technologies in business… The gap in financial performance is widening between the online-savvy and the online-cautious.”
You said it Tim! And we are here to get them there.
Of the businesses surveyed that have not yet called Mobile Geeks to have their cloud computing set up, the most common reason apparently was, “I don’t know enough about it to make the right business decisions about it” (35%). Yay! People, that is when you call and ask. Seriously, when it comes to the possibility of us providing you with service, we are most happy to talk about it in detail, send you information and hold your hand. Honestly 🙂 And you are welcome to seek alternative advice and prices. That is just part of business.
Cloud computing is not the only area businesses are falling down in. The MYOB research once again showed the abysmal figures of SME website ownership in Australia – 38% ! And I am sure that if MYOB number-crunchers actually looked into the types and quality of websites that were counted, they would have discovered that the absolute majority of them were ‘postcards’. Hardly, useful in 21 century….more of a waste of money than anything. This situation exists despite the fact that businesses with websites were 60% more likely to see a revenue rise in the past year, up from 53% in July.
