Sync your sales, not your business

Cloud computing can make a massive difference in the way that you manage your business. Being able to access all of your accounts, critical work documents and collaborating on ideas with other members of your team from anywhere in the world on any device is now vital when it comes to running a business in the 21st century.

Using a cloud computing system means that the various teams within your company can work alongside one another without issues, with the ability to access information and documents from anywhere, at any time. For example, sales and marketing. These two departments can be two of the most important ones in your business, but if they aren’t working together, giving feedback and sharing updates, it is going to have an impact on your business. Yes, you could set up meetings, hand over documents and files, but that really is not the most productive use of your time.

By using a decent cloud syncing system, you can make sure all of your departments are singing from the same hymn sheet, and that important data is streamlined and useful. Here are some of the ways that using cloud computing can help boost sales and enhance your business.

Keep all of your data together, in one place

Cloud software stops customer ‘data silos’, where important customer data is spread out across various platforms and software. This may not only break some of the GDPR act that was rolled out across the EU in May 2018, but it also causes a colossal failure in communication between various departments. The best way of preventing this from happening is by creating a completely clear channel of data, where everyone is able to access the same information. All departments can see what is going on, and use this information to improve and develop their strategies and goals.

It also does not just keep customers data together, but keeps yours, as well. In April 2019, businesses with a taxable turnover of more than £85,000 are required to submit their financial records digitally, using approved making tax digital software, which usually runs through some sort of cloud system. By doing this, all of your files are kept in one place, making you much more efficient.

Use customer information effectively

Holding information about a customer and using that information to push your sales are two completely different things. If the data is together in one place, you are in more of a position to personalise your advertising. You can send out emails, using their names, which many people appreciate, and use their purchasing history to target them directly and offer them what they think they are looking for. For example, mums at home searching for educational resources probably are not going to be interested in emails advertising fishing rods. If you are sending targeted emails out, they need to be relevant; otherwise, they are going to be ignored. It is important to know how to be CCPA compliant to protect customers’ data. What you do with customers’ data can hugely impact your business from a legal perspective, as well as clients not wanting to do repeat purchases.

 

Deal with customers issues quickly

This is linked to having all of your customer information in one place so that problems and complaints can be dealt with in a fast and effective way. More than half of customers report that they will refrain from doing repeat business with someone if their complaints are not handled within an acceptable timeframe, and more than three quarters say that having to discuss their issue time and time again with multiple people in various departments can make them feel very negatively about a company. By having all the information collated,  whoever is dealing with the problem can do so quickly, without the need to cause the customer any further irritation. All companies have issues, but it is how these issues are dealt with that is crucial thing. Do it smoothly and efficiently, and your customers will come back.

But…remember

What you do need to make sure when you are using cloud systems to store any sort of information about your customers or clients is that you are observing the data protection laws. In the EU, in May 2018, the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) came into play, and if you do not comply with the rules, you can land yourself a rather heavy fine – up to £10,000 per breach. You should only be storing data that your customers have given explicit consent for you to hold, and you must have this consent recorded. If a customer requests that you delete any information that you hold about them, you must do so immediately. While this only applies to the EU, it is good practice to follow anyway, even if you and your customer base are not based in the region.