Cloud Enablement: Influencing Female Entrepreneurship and Value Creation Among Women Entrepreneurs
By Derrick Poon Young
CEO, Cloud Shift Inc.
Read Time
5 minutes
Cloud Enablement: Influencing Female Entrepreneurship and Value Creation Among Women Entrepreneurs
The plethora of news coverage about the impact of cloud services largely focuses on the scale of innovation it produces, business optimization and value generation. Hiding in the thicket is the impact of cloud on business collaboration and networking particularly among women entrepreneurs. Cloud computing can be a powerful change agent as it offers a range of services, from data storage and processing to software applications, all accessible via the internet. This affords flexibility, mobility and ubiquity.
For women entrepreneurs, this can be particularly beneficial. It allows them to manage their businesses around other commitments such as family responsibilities and collaborate with others regardless of geographical location. In specific instances, cloud computing does what no well-intentioned development policy can….remove several traditional barriers that have starved many women entrepreneurs of access to the value generation chain.
Collaboration and Networking- Key Drivers for Entrepreneurial Empowerment Among Women
Cloud-based tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Zoom facilitate real-time communication and collaboration. They allow for instant messaging, video conferencing and document sharing, making it easier for women entrepreneurs to engage despite geographic distance. These tools can help build networks with other women entrepreneurs, share ideas and collaborate on projects that can help to penetrate markets and create extra-market interest that, in many instances, would not be feasible due to traditional barriers of a lack of investment capital and financial liquidity to travel overseas to establish a foreign market presence. By providing affordable and accessible technology solutions, cloud computing can offer women entrepreneurs opportunities to compete with larger, more established companies across markets.
Cloud and Female Entrepreneurs Wealth Creation:
Cloud services can be in the wealth creation vanguard for female entrepreneurs through enablement in several ways:
- Cost Efficiency: Cloud services can significantly reduce the cost of IT infrastructure. There’s no need for large upfront investments in hardware and software, and maintenance costs are also minimized.
- Scalability: Cloud services are highly scalable, allowing businesses to easily expand or reduce their operations based on demand. This flexibility can be particularly beneficial for female-led startups and small businesses.
- Data Analysis: Cloud-based data analytics tools can provide valuable insights into customer behavior, market trends, and business performance.
- Innovation: Cloud platforms often come with access to cutting-edge technologies like AI and machine learning, which can be used to drive innovation and create a competitive advantage.
Narrowing the gender business success gap by using cloud:
Women entrepreneurs can use cloud services to drive growth, improve efficiency and innovate in their businesses. Conversely, cloud computing can be used as a lever to eliminate gender business success gaps in several ways:
- Accessibility: Cloud services are accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. This flexibility can be particularly beneficial for women who balance multiple roles and responsibilities.
- Affordability: Cloud services often operate on a pay-as-you-go model, which can make advanced business tools more affordable for women-owned startups and small businesses.
- Collaboration: Cloud-based collaboration tools can help women entrepreneurs connect with mentors, peers, and teams around the world, breaking down geographical barriers and opening up new opportunities for learning and growth.
- Education and Training: Many cloud service providers offer online training and resources, helping women entrepreneurs to develop the skills they need to succeed in the digital economy.
While cloud computing offers significant potential benefits, it’s important to note that access to technology is just one piece of the puzzle. Addressing the gender business success gap also requires broader societal changes, including efforts to challenge gender stereotypes, promote women’s leadership, and ensure equal access to funding and resources.