Google can be a great resource for VAs and a strategic partner for GVAN.
What's in it for Google? is the proverbial 64,000 dollar question.
A good place to begin are company information web pages.
Google management is a good place to start.
Philanthropy and corporate social responsibility at Google is well articulated. There are two parallel paths:
- Google itself as a corporation and
- Google Foundation.
Then there is the Google Foundation with their five major initiatives:
- Develop Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal (RE<C)
- RechargeIT
- Predict and Prevent
- Inform and Empower to Improve Public Services, and
- Fuel the Growth of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
It is important to note that Google "…will invest our resources and tap the strengths of Google’s employees and global operations to advance five major initiatives". Inherent in that statement is that Google doesn't hand out grants but provides money and resources to working with strategic partners.
To build a partnership with Google, a close review of Google Business Solutions is key. Also look at other products. Google is quietly providing leadership and funding for Android: Open Handset Alliance which has tremendous potential.
If we can build GVAN network with Google solutions it will be that much easier to get their support (what's in it for Google?)