Why I Love Google or is that To Google III! -

As I have said before, I spend a lot of time out of my office and on computers that I shouldn’t save things to. My clients probably wouldn’t mind if I stored something on their computer, though, I would never be able to find it again.

On occasion, I have to create either a document or a spreadsheet quickly. I usually want to be able to save this for later use or review. Previously, I would create the document with whatever program the client had, and then email it to myself, or save it as a draft in Gmail. I would then delete the document from the client’s system.

More than a few times, I have lost the document. Chalk it up to user error.

Not any more! Google, through Gmail, now has online document and spreadsheet programs. After I log into my Gmail account, I can access these programs and create the document or spreadsheet that I need.

These programs have come in quite handy over the past few days. Let me share with you how I have used them.

A client has asked me to upgrade his computer system and would like me to create an estimate of the costs, a guide to how the upgrade will go, what happens when and who will be inconvenienced, and for how long.

In addition, he wants it now and in writing. I hate when that happens.

I sat down at one of his computers and logged into Gmail and created a spreadsheet. I figured out what equipment I needed and guessed at how long it would take me to do the project. I called my vendors and got price quotes on the equipment.

I needed to figure out what to charge the client, so I used the spreadsheet to do the math. Imagine if I had created this with Excel and accidentally left a copy on his computer. All my prices and profits would be available to anyone who used the computer.

I then use the document program to write up the estimate and create a check list of the steps I would take to complete the project. Google actually will let me share this document online with anyone who has an account with Gmail. Instead of printing it out, I just gave the client access to the document.

As the project progresses, I can use the check list that I created to keep the client informed of the progress.

Thanks Google, You’ve saved the day again.

Let me know what you think!

Marc