Obstacles to Cloud Computing in China – Part VI, Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt (FUD)
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 5:22PM 
The Issue: There’s no question that moving to the cloud can be a nervous experience. Today we wrap things up with Cloud-FUD by hitting the last big area: Resistance to Change.
Key Point: In this area of resistance, it’s the executives job to be transparent about future plans, and to be iron-willed in demanding change. It’s often a culture thing more than anything else.
The two biggest areas of “Fear of Change” FUD that are stronger for cloud computing systems in China relate to the fact that staff are “too busy” to learn this new system and/or to change the new system to work the way it is “supposed” to work, and that the current system is working fine (even if that system is pen and paper).
As we all know, China has undergone MASSIVE change in the last few decades, and one area within businesses that still needs to catch up is information SYSTEMS.
People here have growth wealthy, made excellent careers, and seen great successes in the past decades by using basic information systems, VERY rarely integrated.
So now, when the boss comes in with a new “cloud” system that integrates everything, it seems truly idealistic. Chinese can be very practical people who want to finish the job and get paid as soon as possible. Having a “cloud system” often sounds like a dangerous waste of time.
Explain the direction of the company, the way that this will SAVE their time in the future, and that these systems are used around the world and IN China now, with great success and profit.
Repeat this explanation many times. Repeat your vision for the company. Enforce the changes.
Just like anyone else in the world, when the staff see the benefits, you can relax a bit – they’ll become your biggest champions.
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Reader Comments (2)
What you said is true, you've got to be resolute in letting everyone understand the mission of the company and that such systems will help you achieve success.
Hi Lance,
I'm glad you agree. In the past, our most successful implementation projects have always been linked to strong support from management, and a client team that understands the goal of the system implementation.