To Google or Not to Google? That is the question.

Oh my.

As a sole proprietor (AKA The Boss), one of my continual challenges is keeping up with technology. That was a different sort of challenge with my last employer, who hated the Web and though it was just a fad. There, my choices were very limited. Now I'm The Boss and I can do whatever I want -- I just have to figure out what that is and how it will work for my business. I've found that we "early boomers" who do not work in technology industries, but who have mastered PCs or Macs -- or both -- have to work a bit harder to keep up with new options. I am not an early adopter. I'm a middle aged adopter and I often need help.

Now, our son Mo tells me to "Get out of Outlook!" As I am preparing to hire 2 employees for my virtual business within the next year, he suggests that I move all email to Gmail, sign up for Google Apps and "simplify". Right. Simplifying like that isn't easy or simple. As The Boss -- I have to make sure I know what I need for applications and how they have to work for my business. (Auto Text, anyone?) I then need to find out whether and how Google would better serve my needs -- or decide on something else. The biggest challenge will be that the switch to whatever application I pick will be up to me.

Mo made a strong case this weekend, but he lives in Santa Cruz, I'm in Maine and he doesn't know as much about my business as he does about his clients in California. Plus -- they have him and I don't! So, in addition to doing what I do (Maine's best Hiring Consultant), marketing what I do, and planning for growth I have to research my options. That means I have spent time Googling for answers and reading conflicting blogs and articles. I will talk with anyone who has an opinion and ultimately make my own choice. Then I have to make that choice work.

It isn't what I signed up for when I started Hire Well nearly 3 years ago. But it is definitely part of being The Boss. Stay tuned.