The Twittersphere is awash with comments concerning the unprecedented disruption caused by the Icelandic Volcanic eruption (not content with bringing us to our knees with their banking collapse etc etc).
One comment which caught my attention was from @GaryTurner who wrote:
“Waiting for the 1st Ash Cloud Computing story to emerge about people doing their accounts from a foreign airport….”
Of course this is what Cloud Computing is all about – the ability to access your business critical information from anywhere any time. If the Norwegian prime minister can run his country from an Ipad in an airport lounge then Cloud users can run their businesses in the same manner.
There is a growing list of reasons why the Cloud makes so much sense – I just don’t suppose that anyone expected a Volcanic eruption to be one of them!
I totally agree. Some interesting points here from The Ladders too…
If you are struggling to keep the ‘ash cloud’ disruption to a minimum, here are some management suggestions from executive jobs site, TheLadders.co.uk:
1. Communication is essential – it’s important to keep lines of communication open between worker and employer – agree a regular method of staying in touch.
2. Be flexible – where and if possible a flexible approach to matters such as methods of working may be effective. The handling of travel disruption can be an opportunity for an employer to enhance staff morale and productivity by the way it is handled.
3. Use information technology – Technology enables work to continue, even if you are stranded in Mauritius. Use internet cafes, laptops or mobile devices to communicate with managers to get work done whilst overseas.