A Review of 2010 Enhancements
Does your business have a traveling marketing and sales team, communicating with their office staff via a fragmented collection of online and offline tools? Do they often need changes to their documents or presentations at the last minute – harried late night hours or frantic last minutes at FedEx Office?
Web-Based Solution: Google Docs
For those of you not yet familiar with Google Docs, Wikipedia offers this concise definition: “Google Docs is a free, Web-based word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, form, and data storage service offered by Google. It allows users to create and edit documents online while collaborating in real-time with other users.”
Simply, it allows you to upload and save documents from your desktop, edit them online from any computer, and invite others to read or edit your documents. Files are stored in Google’s secure servers.
100% Web-Based Docs
Google offers a collection that is not meant to compete with or replace Microsoft Office. Instead, their strategy is to be the #1 go-to site that lets users edit the same file at the same time, so you always have the latest version.
Google has worked hard to make it possible for you to work, communicate and collaborate entirely in the cloud. A few of the most exciting enhancements from 2010 make it easier for us to go “100% web-based.
2010 Google Docs Enhancements
According to Jonathan Rochelle, Director, Google Product Management, “In addition to some of the most requested favorite features like mobile editing, OCR, advanced sorting rules and a more consistent look, here are more of our team’s favorite things from this last year:
- A new Google Docs built from the ground up for real-time collaboration
- The new Google drawings editor for making flowcharts, diagrams and more
- Upload and store your files in the cloud and stop worrying about losing files
- Simplified sharing with new features like “Private”
- New charts editor and chart types because pictures are worth 1000 words
- New revision history UI in documents and spreadsheets make it easier to see what has changed
- Horizontal navigation in Sites gives you more options when building your sites
- More fonts in documents provide you with more ways to express yourself
- Formula highlighting in spreadsheets makes it easier to understand your formulas
- Google Docs demo makes it easier for anyone to try Google Docs”
Are you a fan of Google Docs? If not, WHY?
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For more resources, see our Library topics Marketing and Social Networking.
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ABOUT Lisa M. Chapman: With offices in Nashville Tennessee, but working virtually with international clients, Lisa M. Chapman serves her clients as a business and marketing coach, business planning consultant and social media consultant. As a Founder of iBrand Masters, a social media consulting firm, Lisa Chapman helps clients to establish and enhance their online brand, attract their target market, engage them in meaningful social media conversations, and convert online traffic into revenues. Email: Lisa @ LisaChapman.com
There is a fatal flaw to the concept of “going 100% web-based” for anything, not just Google Docs. What if your Internet connection goes down, particularly for any length of time?
Assuming the issue is strictly confined to your primary Internet connection — e.g., in my case, my cable company — then backup plans can be employed, IF you’ve prepared in advance. Examples of backup plans I have in place:
*A Verizon mobile hotspot
*Ability to use my Blackberry for Internet access
*Ability to relocate my business to the nearest wi-fi location
Obviously, the first plan is optimal, but it also requires a not-inexpensive monthly fee.
Remember, we’re all VERY spoiled by having almost 24/7 access to the Internet — but we can’t take it for granted.
Jonathan Bernstein
President
Bernstein Crisis Management, Inc.
Jonanthan-
Thank you for your very valid point and keen warning. As a Crisis Manager, I’d bet that you have handled many client cases involving lost internet access. THANK YOU for offering your own insider tips for backup access.
Lisa Chapman