Using technology to make a difference

What is Cloud Computing?

In plain terms, Cloud Computing refers to working with a variety of software applications that are available online (for free or limited fee) to fit your specific need.  In the case of a socially conscious enterprise or not-for-profit organization, this means using a combination of online software (SaaS or Software as a Service) designed to help communicate with stakeholders inexpensively.   This allows social entrepreneurs to leverage the latest communication techniques that currently exists without having to rely on IT knowledge or investing in expensive software.

By using free or low cost web-based software to build web sites, blogs, emails, etc., social entrepreneurs have access to their own virtual workbench to design, build, deploy and measure their own communications and campaigns.

New social media, personalization technologies coupled with marketing automation, all available online, provide the power tools to cost-effectively create, manage and deploy communications that can adapt to new information, interactions and data. Especially in light of the recession, forward thinking organizations are seeing the large cost savings that can be realized from the cloud model.

Some of the self-serve technology available today include:

• Web sites and Blogs
• Email
• Social Networking
• Printing (business cards, brochures)
• Direct Mail
• Collaborative Workspace
• eTraining, Podcasts, Webinars

This self-serve model is so exciting because it allows us to:

• Rely less on external factors outside our control – IT, budget process, etc.

• Spend less time upfront designing to get it “right”, but rather “build and evolve”

• Use the technology as our own “virtual sandbox” to create a blue print for communications and campaigns

• Explore new ideas and options with minimal risk as we create, see what works, adapt and learn as you go

• Customize to our requirements and those of our stakeholders

• Frequently update of our content, which increases the value to our customers

• Maintain ongoing conversation to increase stakeholder engagement

Who can benefit from Cloud Computing?

Individuals, Professionals and Activists– whether to raise awareness of a cause or to help get a one-person operation off the ground, the new Cloud Computing provides a great opportunity to creatively express themselves and explore new avenues.

Small and Medium Sized Organizations – Cloud Computing provides small organizations with the tools that have traditionally been the sole domain of large businesses, reducing barriers to entry in a lot of industries and sectors.

Large Organizations and Government – Cloud Computing offers larger organizations robust and secure technology outsourcing options to more cost-effectively generate awareness, attract members, communicate to customers or raise funds.

Check out the Wisdom 2.0 Summit, which is a three-day event that brings together technology leaders from companies such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter, along with Zen teachers, neuroscientists, and others to explore how we can live in greater balance with, and more successfully use, the great technologies of our age.

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