Later this year Google will launch it’s newest product called Google Wave, and its upcoming release is generating buzz and excitement. Google Wave is a “real-time communication platform.” So I read that description and think, “What does that mean, exactly?” It means that Google Wave will combine aspects of your email, instant messaging, social networking and project management into one browser-based communication hub.
Now, why exactly do you, as a Virtual Assistant, need to care? Let me lay it out for you in three big reasons.
1. Your potential clients will use it.
You are a virtual professional so it is distinctly important that you are knowledgeable and well-versed on the tools available that help you and your clients work virtually. If you are not up-to-date, another Virtual Assistant will be! And although some of your clients will not be familiar with Google Wave, it is also your responsibility to educate them on the available options to work efficiently with you.
2. You will be able to interact easily with clients like you are in the same office (and this time I mean it).
I know, we have a tendency to say that about a lot of computer applications that come along. We heard that about instant messaging, we heard that about project management tools, and we heard that about Skype. With Google Wave, there are no more endless strings of emails when you use it like a wiki. Also, you and your client will only need to interact using one platform (Google Wave). It becomes a powerful project management system because of its file-sharing ability. You will be able to communicate instantly with your clients (or refer to a record of your conversations) while working with documents or completing other projects.
3. You have to love the price – FREE.
Because Google Wave is open-source, this opens it up to any developers around the world that want to take part in creating Google Wave “Gadgets” and “Robots.” (Just like there are thousands of applications for Facebook and Twitter now.) There will no longer be a need for you or your clients to invest in expensive project management, file sharing or communication tools.
Sure, there are Google skeptics out there. They have concern about the confidentiality aspect to keeping your documents and records of your communication “in the clouds” (a technical term for storing things on the internet instead of your personal computer). But, given its early popularity and its comprehensive functionality, all signs point to the fact that this Wave is something that is coming straight for you, so you had better get ready!
So where else can you go for information? Sign up to be notified when Google Wave is ready. Ben Parr of Mashable.com has written Google Wave: A Complete Guide that is so far the comprehensive preview.
Angela Green is the editor of Virtual Assistant 3.0, the go-to resource for Virtual Assistants who want stay ahead of the pack by keeping up on the latest technology trends.
Be sure to grab your free copy of “5 tech tools you MUST have to serve your clients efficiently (and stay ahead of the VA pack!).”
She lives with her husband and three kiddos in Delano, Minnesota.
Technorati Tags: Google Wave, Google, Facebook, Twitter, Mashable, Skype, Ben Parr, Angela Green, Virtual Assistant 3.0, virtual assistant, VA, virtual assistance, the va coach, va coach, Erin Blaskie
Thanks, Erin, for giving me the opportunity to be your guest!
You are very welcome!! It’s an awesome post
[...] 3 Reasons Virtual Assistants Need To Care About Google Wave 2009/06/22Google, blogs, current events, free softwareTags: Blog Design Bootcamp, Erin Blaskie, Google Wave Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.Powered by WP Greet BoxI am super-excited that Erin Blaskie invited me this week to guest post on her uber-popular blog The VA Coach! I wrote about a topic that will be very important to Virtual Assistants this fall: 3 Reasons Virtual Assistants Need To Care About Google Wave. [...]
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