Top 10 SMB Tech Issues: Cloud Strategy
9 June 2025
Issue 1: Fluffy cloud planning
This post is part of the Top 10 SMB Tech Issues series — a deeper look at each challenge facing small and mid-sized businesses trying to make sense of their tech.
Let’s start with an issue that sounds obvious but causes real-world mess: cloud strategy.
The problem
Most SMBs already use cloud — AWS, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Dropbox, maybe even some hosted platforms for their apps. But when you look closer, it’s often a patchwork of tools, vendors, and bolt-ons held together with duct tape and goodwill.
The problem isn’t the tech. It’s the lack of a plan.
- Data stored in five different places with no backup policy
- Mix of on-prem, hosted, and SaaS apps with no integration
- Cloud spend growing but nobody owns the budget
- Conflicting advice from vendors and partners
Why it matters
A weak or non-existent cloud strategy leads to poor decision-making. You end up with underused platforms, duplication, security gaps, and frustrated teams.
Without clarity, everything becomes reactive. You’re stuck firefighting instead of improving.
What a good cloud strategy looks like
You don’t need a 50-page document. You need a clear direction based on how your business works.
- Know what tools and platforms you're using (and why)
- Map systems to business processes — what supports what?
- Define who owns what: budget, admin, security, training
- Agree how you'll review and adapt — don’t treat it as fixed
It’s not about locking everything down. It’s about giving your business a sensible structure to grow on.
What to do next
If you're not sure where to start, start with what you've got:
- Make a list of all your systems and cloud services
- Ask what each one is for — and whether it’s still fit for purpose
- Talk to your teams. See where the pain points really are
- Then build something simple and real around that
This doesn’t need to be a big consultancy project. It just needs to happen.
Need a second set of eyes or someone to help you shape the plan? Let’s talk.