The most interesting part of being a local guide for me is discovery. Apart from the adventure of searching for new places and helping others find them, I’m always thrilled to discover new locations. When I add these places to Google maps, it often helps more people than I ever imagined and even enables businesses reach out to clients and vice versa. Below are some of my additions to Google Maps.
The Saudi Arabian Insurance Company: A couple of years ago, when I got my Honda CRV, it was registered to the Saudi Arabian insurance company. I needed to find the company office to renew my insurance. Much to my consternation, I noticed that the company had recently shifted their offices to an unknown location. Several people I met that day were so frustrated after spending hours trying to discover the new location of the Saudi Arabian Insurance Company offices. After exploring several parts of the Seef District, I finally found it and decided to add the company onto Google maps that very day. Since then my addition has greatly helped the company’s customers. It’s received more than 24,000 views!
Raymond: Last year, I was searching for a good store that would help me with a custom tailored suit. That was when I found this gem of a clothing store beyond the historical landmark of Bab-Al-Bahrain, just behind a temple in the fabled labyrinth of roads which is referred to as the Manama Souq. I updated Google Maps with the Raymond Photos and location. After it went live on Google maps many other people looking for quality suits have found the shop and much to my surprise, the store personnel called and thanked me. Ever since then, the Raymond tailor and I have been good friends. It is very fulfilling to know that business for my favourite clothing brand.
Semantic Education Center: A close friend of mine is a professor of English. He started his own company specializing in training expatriates and locals who want to take English exams as part of the requirements to study or work abroad. I noticed how he was struggling to direct his clients to his office which was located in a business building in Manama. So I took a few pictures and uploaded his company location to Google Maps. When I saw him a couple of months back, his business was booming! In fact, he’s got several full time employees to help him with his work now. He was so delighted by the growth of his business that he offered me his services free of charge!
I feel like a legendary explorer on an ongoing journey of discovery with Google maps. Just by discovering locations and helping others explore them, I am able to contribute to business growth and help customers in need find what they’re looking for while making great friends along the way. It’s an honour for me to use the Google Map which meets a real need in our world today for people from all nations while enabling them to contribute to it themselves. Discovering new places and then helping others discover them using Google Maps is the most interesting thing I’ve done as a Local Guide.