Businesses large and small need to take advantage of cloud computing, primarily because competitors will be gaining an advantage if your company ignores this reality.

For small businesses, cloud apps can dramatically improve your capabilities regarding all sorts of internal functions. SaaS software can provide enterprise-level tools for businesses of any size. The same applies to larger businesses, but issue such as using data become even more important with large businesses.

This article offers some excellent strategies to help businesses leverage the power of cloud computing. It explains how “the first step in developing a cloud strategy is to change how you think about cloud technology:”

The biggest barrier we see that keeps small and mid-sized businesses from taking advantage of the cloud comes from the top: business owners, presidents, or CEOs. Business leaders will often delegate any IT-related decisions to their IT team. The problem with this approach is that the decision to adopt a cloud strategy is primarily a business strategy, not an IT strategy.

Business owners need to understand that the cloud offers a competitive advantage. Also, your IT Manager does not think like you. He or she thinks about functionality and tasks. It’s your job to think about the business, and that will likely rewquire taking things out of their hands and using third-party software and apps on the cloud.

Check out the article and start thinking about what strategy works for you and your business.