Tech Talk

Technology continues to be a priority here at the Adrian Area Chamber and we are proving that you can teach old dogs new tricks!

Today's Tech Talk focused on Google Apps and the session was attended by Will, Carole and Kathy from our staff. Based on what they learned and our own ingenuity, we have begun utilizing the calendar function on Google and accomplished a great deal today.

Using the Google calendar enables our entire staff to have access to all calendars at-a-glance and facilitates planning and setting appointments. It also focuses more pairs of eyes on the schedule and makes spotting errors in dates, etc. easier. While we stil have some learning to do as far as setting appointments and sending notices and confirmations, we made a lot of progress in a short time! Thanks to Paul Slusser for his Tech Talk presentation and Will Willnow, our webmaster for his sense of humor and patience!

As the work day was drawing to a close, we tackled Google Chat, set up our accounts, invited co-workers to be on our guest list and practiced sending and replying to each other's messages. Utilizing Google's chat feature allows us to "talk" to each other from wherever we are in the building or while traveling. It will make it easy to stay in touch on projects while out of the office.

Google Maps was another topic addressed at Tech Talk and if you haven't tried it yet, check it out. I hadn't realized that Google had come to Adrian and photographed our streets. So, you not only get a great map, but can request a Street View and see the home or business which you are seeking. The Street View screen can be turned etc. and is pretty amazing! I We pulled up the Chamber office, City Hall and a number of local businesses.

I know many of you are way ahead of us at the Chamber in understanding and using the tools offered by technology, but for those of you who are in the learning curve or are hesitant about trying some of what is out there, I encourage you to find a friend or co-worker or a kid and have them get you started. You can take classes and most software has a HELP button as well.

Learning more about how to utilize the tools on your computer is a means of becoming more effecient and effective whatever your occupation. And learning those new things, makes you feel pretty good about yourself too! Here at the Chamber, we are striving to model the learning and use of technology that we are recommending to our member businesses and organizations, encouraging them to become increasingly competent in their use of available tech tools.