Hangouts and Huddles. Here, individuals can join video chats or send and receive group instant messages. Watson says this allows up to ten people to chat without scheduling a meeting. It can eliminate multiple conversations, combining them into one simple group chat.
Warrene says, "I love the huddles, as it takes IM [instant messaging] to the next level."

Google+ From The Archivers' Point Of View
Warrene says the functionality of Google+ allows a good convergence of personal and business use. "Like any other provider," he says, "we are waiting for the Google+ API to open up. However, we have developed a work-around to capture their public stream."

Craig Brauff, the CEO of Erado, another archiving company, admits his clients are not knocking on his door to archive Google+ yet. "At this time, Google+ is quickly evolving, and we expect many changes over the next few months," he says. "We feel that the product's privacy settings, business page opportunities and feature sets will be significantly different tomorrow from what they are today."

Google+ Business Pages
One thing holding Google's success back is its limitation on businesses creating pages. Watson shared Google's plans in this area, saying that sometime in the next few months, business pages will be available. "The team is working hard to release them as fast as possible," she says. "At this time, we cannot share any specific details on what business profiles will offer."

Since Google Analytics' free reporting on Web site visits is robust, it is likely the business pages will be well done with tools to know if a business is wasting its time or getting a lot out of the new network. Other tools like the "+1" button, recently released, will likely add to the strength of the offering.

Google+ Success To Date
Although the full rollout is not yet complete, as of mid-August, more than 25 million users had signed up for Google+. However, the company is now testing the service with a small number of people who have been invited to participate and will notify others when they are ready to expand the number of users. Watson didn't know how long the field trial will last and when Google+ would be available for anyone to use.

It will be interesting to see how big the next wave of users is. After all, some believe another social network is not needed. It will also be interesting to see how the other social networks react, especially Facebook, which will do its best to kill Google's momentum. It is likely that third-party firms will offer assistance to manage Google+ at the same time so people do not have to jump back and forth between it and the social media big three (Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.)

Advice For Advisors
Advisors should create a profile page and get familiar with the current Google+ offering when the full rollout occurs. Put information about your company with links to your Web site in your "About" section and on "Posts," which makes it easier to find you on search engines.  Plus, create a business page when those are made available.

Google+ provides more ways to find you, which is not a bad thing. And it offers a new, easy way to communicate and create exposure. Of course, you must stay within your compliance policy; if you do not yet have a social media policy, create one. Also, use an archiving service.

Most important, keep tabs on what your prospects and clients are using for social networks. If they are on Google+, you need to be there.

Will Video Chatting Catch On?
   As advisors try to use their time more efficiently, they often call clients instead of meeting with them in person. Clearly, personal meetings are better, since communication requires not just words but body language, especially if the subject is complicated. The drawback to face time is that it requires travel and greeting time that can add minutes, inconveniencing all those involved and requiring resources that take away from the bottom line.