Google+ for Business
Wednesday, July 13th, 2011
Just when you think you have figured out social media, Google had to go and mess it all up. Past the rapid expansions of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn, rises a new social media monster. Its name is Google+, and it requires a whole new set of strategies, tactics and ideas to tame it.
Google+ offers some features that surpass those of the social platforms you have come to learn. What it does is provide ways for businesses to network and communicate using a simple interface and powerful tools.
First, there is Hangout. Hangout is a way for you and up to ten of your friends to video conference at the same time. There are plenty of creative ways for this feature to be utilized. Organize a video conference with partners from all over. Or you can use it one-on-one for just catching up with one client. Or maybe the boss is on vacation? Keep him in the loop and log some face time.
Circles is a very smart feature integrated by Google+. This takes care of one of the inherent Facebook problems, which is the inability to separate work and play. Now, you can create circles of friends, and post status messages to only certain circles. What you say to your weekend friends might, and probably should, be totally different from what you share with your boss or family.In a business sense, you can organize clients, prospects, leads, and more. Send the right message to the right audience, every time. No wasted recipients.
Huddle is another new feature of Google+. This can be used as an inter-office tool for communicating and sharing ideas, deadlines and more. Huddle is a group-messaging system that allows for conversation to take place between everyone in a circle. This can be a great forum for brainstorming.
Google+ is going to take time to get used to. There is no question about that. But the unique nature of the features provided will make the workplace a more streamlined environment.
