I was reminded today by a former colleague of mine that one of my nicknames in the company was Google Bene. The second part referred to most common word used in my conversations with our Italian colleagues (and the lack of vocabulary in that language). The first part is self explanatory. If there was a question in the department, I would be the first looking it up in Google. In the time before Google, I would often have a dictionary or lexicon close by to clarify definitions or concepts in discussions. Our IT manager called Google The Oracle. He also invited me to Google Mail, when it was still an invitation only beta application.
Google Mail
When I started my business I used from the beginning a Google Apps account for my email. This meant that I would have the same experience, as if I would use a regular gmail account, but with the advantage of using my own domain. That meant at that stage 2 or 3GB of space for my emails. A capacity that was big enough to keep almost all emails I received. The capacity grew over the years and became a versatile back up solution for my emails.
I got used to the user interface and the continuing development of the platform and often enough do not even start up my email client. The only thing I am missing is the ability to work offline on my emails through my browser (Google Gears is discontinued and HTML5 is the silver lining on the horizon).
Google Calendar
Most people who met with me before, know that I underline my meetings with an invitation via my calendar. I have been experimenting with the Mac’s build in calendar iCal as well as with Google calendar. Same calendar systems operate similar. These days synchronisation between Google calendar and iCal works flawless and bi-directional. Love it.
I tested recently to use Apple’s online offer mobileme to run my calendar. It worked great, but it did not allow me to control, which email address is used to send out the invitation email for meetings. For appointments with my clients, it is essential that I send out my invites with my professional email address (…@jurgensphotography.com).
Apple’s online calendar user interface is absolutely stunning. Looks are not everything, though.
Google calendar appointments have a great tool built in. When you enter addresses in the right format (Street address, city, country and in brackets name of building or company), the address is set up as link to Google maps.
Google Maps
A few months ago Google Maps became really useful in South Africa. Addresses are available via search and the ability to find directions has been a true time saver for me. When I found a new venue for our BNI chapter, I sent out an email to the members with a link to Google Maps. Much easier.
Street view is a much discussed feature and finds some opposition (especially Germany). For me and my work it is a useful tool to prepare for shoots. It does not replace checking out locations in person, but helps in getting a rough idea of the location, especially in my work as corporate photographer. Company buildings are often accessible from the road and with that visible via Street View. It helps for initial ideas of an outside shoot of a building or group portraits. It does not replace visiting a location in person.
In combination with the standard map or satellite view, you can make some informed decision about the direction of light during the day.
Google Docs
Google Docs are currently under utilized in my business. The latest development in Google’s spreadsheet application might change that. A good portion of text documents and also spreadsheets reside already under Google Docs. I ran into the situation before that I didn’t have a document with me, I wanted to check or work on while on the road with my small laptop (an old iBook G4 – I have my nostalgic moments), which does have very limited storage space.
What are your experiences with Google tools in your business? What alternatives do you use?
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