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There has to be a better way!
December 11, 2009 | | Leave a Comment
As a future PR professional, I like to consider myself a top-notch communicator. Whether through written word, public speaking or sharing my ideas with a small group, I’ve always found a way to get my point across.
While serving as an account executive at TGC, I’ve gained a lot of experience with communicating with clients to help achieve their goals. My communication skills were truly put to the test while leading an account for Uprinting.com, a company based out of Los Angeles.
We’ve been working to help develop, brand and promote a product for the client all semester, and I’ve found that without face-to-face communication, some things can get lost in translation.
Revisions of design work, brainstorming and draft writing has been completed via internet and conference calls. While nothing devastating has come up, I think that work has gone a little slower than it may have, had we been able to sit down and meet with the client. I’ve wondered all semester if there could be an easier way for my team and the client to collaborate while being so far away.
Now it seems like my problems have been answered. Google Wave was recently launched, and I felt like one of the lucky chosen ones to receive an invitation to join. While still in development, Google Wave seems to be a solution to online collaboration. Users can share documents, pictures and videos all in real-time.
Google Wave gives our team the option of having each member being involved in the design process, making it easier to give feedback and make revisions in a timely manner. Video conferences next semester will evolve from quick updates to actual working meetings. Making it so Los Angeles doesn’t feel so far away.
This looks like an extremely useful tool for TGC next semester or for any group working with clients located further away. By combining the ideas of Skype and Google Docs, both communication tools my team used this semester, we may have found just the right thing to work more effectively.
-Rebecca Derenthal