The dawn of the internet removed the barriers of information seeking, uniting global commerce, and leveling the playing field for many small businesses.  While these aspects thrived, I believe personalized customer service took a backseat – trading handshakes and business cards for form fills and call centers.

The social network Google+ is all the rage in tech news currently gaining a 90 million user base and incorporating the product into Google’s search engine and product suite.  While adoption of the network is slow, finding only whispers and rare glimmers of social sharing, the opportunity in this space is very exciting for businesses.

Smart businesses will utilize Google+ hangouts as a way to better connect to potential and current customers, forging meaningful relationships.  Imagine the comfort you will feel as a customer when you can bypass a phone directory and speak to a live representative.

Hangouts give a voice and personality to a brand where a static website might lack. Knowing there is an actual person on the other side of the business who cares about your experience and values you as a customer helps build meaningful relationships.

I urge businesses to use this technology to bring the personalized thank you card into the 21^st century.