At the recently held Contributor Conversations event in Delhi NCR, I was invited to participate in a panel of moderators to share my thoughts and insights about the Local Guides Connect program and platform.
@Kristen_NYC had provided the questionnaire.
@Latika_Malhotra hosted and led the panel discussion.
I think due to time limits not everyone could answer all questions.
Hence, I am answering all here.
Q1. What was your initial motivation for joining the community, and how has that evolved over time?
Ans. I started participating in the Local Guides community as a travel blogger.
Over a short period, I got exposed to the American culture and values like openness, transparency, compassion and inclusiveness.
I learnt about Accessibility from the LG Connect community.
I started adding more of these features in Google Maps and eventually was recognized as an Accessibility Champion for my sustained efforts and idea suggestions in this area.
Q2. How has being an active member of the community changed how you contribute to Google Maps?
Ans. As an active member of the LG Community, I could interact more often and closely with local guides. I became aware of dynamics and the shifts in expectations of local guides. With this experience I could contribute to Google Maps in a better way.
Q3. What is your favorite Local Guides community experience?
Ans. I hosted 60+ meetups in India and all of those were memorable ones.
The meetups brought me closer to local guides.
Interacting with fellow local guides gave me deep insights into their thoughts and expectations from the Local Guides program.
Also, at the Contributor Conversations event in Tokyo, I could see the other side of the spectrum.
I learnt about the expectations from Google about the local guides program and the local guides involved.
Q4. What advice would you give to someone who’s hesitant to become more active in the community?
Ans. My advice to local guides specifically in India would be to not follow people.
Instead, be passionate about Google Maps and the LG Connect platform.
Within the Indian LG Community, people have created isolated silos in the form of private chat groups.
I would advise them not to follow the Bhai’s, Behen’s, Dada’s, Tai’s, Bro’s, Sir’s, Jee’s and other such local private leaders.
Instead follow and interact with more knowledgeable local guides around the globe, interact with them, expand your horizons and make more meaningful contributions to Google Maps and LG Connect.
I am strongly against people participating in private chat groups.
These should be best used for coordination for meetups and for publicity of posts.
Q5. How can we make the community even more welcoming and inclusive for everyone?
Ans. Although in-person meetups are the key, they are inherently a slow process.
The following things can be done easily with great effectiveness and results.
1. Allow Google offices in various Indian cities to be used for meetups.
Small conference rooms in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune Dev Center, Bangalore office, will be sufficient.
2. Regular interaction and conversations with India local guides online via Google Meet once a month will be a great way to build momentum and keep the passion sustained in local guides.
3. Quarterly meetups inviting or sponsoring local guides in various cities will be boost the visibility and participation of the local guides program in India.
We have a huge number of active local guides which can be a good seed number to propel Google Maps and Connect in India in a big way.
Q6. Are there any specific ways that less involved members can start contributing or participating more?
Ans. Yes, same as above. A majority of local guides in India spend a valuable chunk of time in private chat groups following local leaders in a confined environment.
1. Moderators and Google leaders should invite them to participate more on LG Connect and Google Maps.
2. Posting #Challenges in LG Connect is a proven method to involve less involved members.
Local Guides love #Challenges around interesting topics.
3. Importantly, the #Challenge topics should also be localized.
Not everyone goes for bubble tea or coffee on a daily basis.
Festivals and local events will be a major draw for a #Challenge.
Important 1: #Challenges should be rewarded in more meaningful ways than just virtual badges.
Important 2: Metal pins and badges sent out by Google should be less random and be more based on participation and accomplishments.
Q7. Where would you like to see this community head in the future?
Ans. The community has a great future and growth when local guides are pulled out of silos of private chat groups. This can be done by more #Challenge posts, meetups that are either hosted or sponsored by Google.
I’d like to see the community grow more around local guides and Google Maps topics like #Challenges and meetups.
