Jackpot...

Every now and again, somebody hands you a gem and they become your new best friend.

I have just been introduced to Google Alerts, which will send you emails when new material is added to the web in your area of interest. I added Childreach International to my alerts list and, already I have been sent a number of emails informing me that content has been updated or added, and the appropriate links to view it.

By having a selection of alerts active, I am able to monitor and keep up-to-date on the latest information being released. Another brilliant advantage of this Google application is it will give me access to areas I never thought of looking in to and give me the opportunity to collect some great qualitative research. Google Alerts monitor Blogs, Articles and Web pages.

As WRAP – the Waste and Resources Action Programme say: "The possibilities are endless!"

• Find out what is being said about your company or product.
• Monitor a developing News story.
• Keep up to date on a Competitor or Industry.
• Find out what's being said about yourself!!

A 1000 Alerts can be created and stored, but only 10 can be active at one time.

I strongly recommend it to everybody because I think it will be a great asset, and a piece of software that is used frequently. We will start to wonder how we ever worked without it! I have already found this application beneficial and I am certain this will continue to be the case.