“I am overwhelmed to share my experience on the GMaps, feel free to comment your views.”
➤ As a Local Guide Level 8, With over 2400+ Photos, 2.5 Million + views, I feel Google Maps have given me a humongous opportunity to literally solve for Millions. With several 100s of positive & constructive critical reviews that I have shared so far, it lets GMap users have a clear sentiment about a place they intend to visit.
➤Of all the 100s of Intriguing experiences, here’s a specific recent one to express "The Most Interesting thing that I have done as a Local Guide."
Here goes the Story of how I could empower a business owner with the help of GMaps as a Local Guide…
A few weeks ago, while I was exploring some places around Lower Parel which is one of the most hip & happening suburbs in Mumbai. While returning home from after having a walk at the famous Worli Seaface, I came across a fancy looking new cafe-like shop.
I instantly unlocked my cell phone to click a picture of this Resto Cafe and share over Google Maps.
While I was capturing this picture, the owner of the Cafe, spotted me clicking and curiously came to me and asked if I was a Government official who had come to fine over his Cafe for any offence. I laughed out loud and explained to him my purpose to click the picture of his cafe. This person is Mr. Rampi Singh, who is the owner of “The Punjab Grill Chaap” , a unique concept of food, offering authentic Punjabi cuisine. He then invited me inside his cafe, and offered me anything I liked on the Menu Card. I denied the meal, but upon his kind and devoted request, I agreed to have some share. He asked his cook to prepare the best of Punjabi food and well decorate it so that I could share that on Google Maps. While the food was being prepared, we had a comprehensive conversation about how he can grow his Business. He had not claimed his Business on Google Maps. And thus, I helped him set up the same. Besides which, out of my experience as a consultant, I also shared with him some marketing and business strategies to leverage his Business using Google tools and resources. This was a Moment of Empowerment. I could feel the frequency at which Google Maps was creating a difference in an aspiring Resto-cafe owner. I was overwhelmed to see the impact of Google Maps at Large.
➤ I have been often teased by my friends, for sometimes randomly clicking pictures while visiting a place. Fortunately, I don’t mind the mockery and look on the broader picture of the impact it creates.
➤ As a Local Guide, I have had the time and opportunity to sharpen my Photography Skills.
➤ I am happy to have been invited by several cafes to review my experience there. A Win/Win situation for me & the cafe owners.
➤ 463 Questions answered on GMaps so far, about all the places I know of. It’s the little gesture of accountability that I feel to help people who have queries about a Place.
➤I have added my accomplishment to be a Local Guide Level 8 on my Resume & LinkedIn because I feel that it will show a recruiter of my skills like Photography, Content Writing, Exploring places, making Connections etc.
➤When a friend of mine visits a place and tells me that my picture helped him decide whether to eat in that cafe or not, that gives me contentment of the time I spent clicking those pictures and reviewing a place.
➤ GMaps help create an informative & valuable Archive of my travel so far with interesting statistics and an enriching UI & UX.
➤ It’s a Pride to see my picture at the top of a place I have reviewed.
➤ I recently discovered the Local Guides platform where people share their experiences & I wish to share a lot of stories here.
➤ And because of my Winspirational experience as a Google Maps, Local Guide 8, I wish to get selected for the “Local Guides Connect 2020” to meet some like minded guides and the developers behind this majestic platform.