How business owners can get the most out of Google Assistant

Posted on Monday September 30, 2024

Managing a small or medium business can feel overwhelming at times, especially when you're juggling multiple responsibilities. Fortunately, tools such as Google Assistant can help you stay organized and save time on routine tasks. In this article, discuss how to get the most out of Google Assistant and use it to your business's advantage.

Getting started with Google Assistant

To begin using Google Assistant, you need to activate it on your device. Most Android devices come with Google Assistant preinstalled, while iOS users can download the app from the App Store. Once installed, activate Google Assistant by saying “Hey Google” or pressing and holding the home button (on Android) or power button (on iOS).

Basic commands to try:

• "Set a timer for 10 minutes."
• "Remind me to call the supplier at 3:00 p.m."
• "Send a text to John."
• "What’s the weather today?"

These are just a few examples of how easy it is to get things done with Google Assistant. But there’s much more you can do, especially for business tasks.

Boosting business efficiency with Google Assistant

Google Assistant offers many features that can significantly improve the productivity of your business:

Manage tasks and to-dos

Google Assistant is excellent for managing your to-do list and daily tasks. You can quickly add reminders, make shopping lists for office supplies, and set alarms for important deadlines. By leveraging these features, you can ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.

Improve communication

Communication is critical in any business, and Google Assistant can help you stay connected. It can send text messages, make phone calls, or even read your emails, so you can conveniently handle communication without needing to pick up your phone every time.

Access quick information

Google Assistant can quickly pull up local information, from weather updates to finding nearby businesses. You can try these commands:

Simplify scheduling

One of the best ways to leverage Google Assistant is by managing your schedule. You can add, edit, and view calendar events with voice commands, which helps you avoid double bookings or missed meetings.

Music, news, and more

Google Assistant lets you access entertainment and news updates. You can ask it to play music to help you relax during your break or to stay informed on industry trends, making Google Assistant a powerful tool for both personal and professional use.

Customizing Google Assistant for your business

Google Assistant allows you to create custom commands or shortcuts tailored specifically to your business needs, making repetitive tasks even faster. For example, you can set up a shortcut that will send a message to a client or turn off office lights, all with a simple voice command.

To create shortcuts, just say, “Hey Google, my shortcuts.” Then, follow the prompts to set up personalized commands.

Recent changes to Google Assistant

To enhance the user experience, Google is making continuous improvements to the Assistant. However, some lesser-used features may be phased out over time. For instance, the microphone icon in the Google search bar will no longer activate the Assistant, but you can still use “Hey Google” or hold the power button on your device to access it and continue enjoying all of its productivity-enhancing features.

For more tech tips and personalized assistance, consult our IT experts. We can help you optimize Google Assistant and other tools to suit your specific needs.