With sales growth the biggest challenge for business leaders in 2011, many say they are planning to deploy cloud technologies this year, hoping to shorten sales cycles and acquire new business, according to a survey from Hatsize.
Roughly three in five surveyed business leaders (61%) say their greatest challenges in 2011 are growth-related, citing direct sales (42%), channel sales (7%), competitive differentiation (7%), and product launches (4%).
Only 9% of business leaders are now focused on cutting costs.
Below, other findings from the Hatsize survey of 181 US business executives.
To achieve growth objectives, over one-half of business leaders have designated cloud-automation projects for 2011 in areas such as cloud-based demos (16%), app development testing (16%), proof-of-concept and sandbox trials (12%), training (7%), and product launches (5%).
Looking for great digital marketing data? MarketingProfs reviewed hundreds of research sources to create our most recent Digital Marketing Factbook (May 2010), a 296-page compilation of data and 254 charts, covering email marketing, social media, search engine marketing, e-commerce, and mobile marketing. Also check out The State of Social Media Marketing, a 240-page original research report from MarketingProfs.
Other key findings:
- 74% of business leaders say they need one or more types of cloud automation.
- 54% of business leaders say cloud-enabled demos and training are extremely important or very important in 2011.
About the data: Findings are from a survey of 181 North American businesses of various sizes and types, conducted in January 2011. Some 57% of respondents were director level or above.
