Earlier today, I had a post explaining how a new technology from PayScale might help businesses by reducing the number and length of unnecessary, unproductive and useless meetings employees must attend. As I indicated, the technology offers a good example of how a company can “walk the escalator.” In this same category, I would like to offer you this news that Google is now headed to a gas pump near you.
At first glance, it might not appear to be that innovative, but I would like to suggest otherwise. For starters, many people—especially men—are reluctant to stop and ask for directions. If a gas station pump offers quick access to Google it provides a way for the retailer to bring in some new customers. On a more strategic level, the service offers a method for retailers to create more customer loyalty by saving customers money. Google can do this by offering customers coupons to other merchants in the area.
Longer term, if you understand where Google is headed and you can ”jump the curve” in terms of where wireless and RFID technology is headed, you might also envision Google soon conducting a quick diagnostic test of your automobile and determining if your oil needs changing, your tires need air, or your windshield fluid needs to be topped off. All in all, this news should give retailers plenty to get pumped up about.
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Jack Uldrich is a writer, futurist, public speaker and host of jumpthecurve.net. He is the author of seven books, including Jump the Curve and The Next Big Thing is Really Small: How Nanotechnology Will Change the Future of Your Business. He is also a frequent speaker on future technology and future trends, nanotechnology, robotics, RFID, innovation, change management and executive leadership to a variety of businesses, industries and non-profit organizations and trade associations.
