Search Engine Play
Search engine play is a quick way to gather information, but
it has become so useful that it deserves consideration as it's
own technique. It can be work if you have a telephone modem for
your internet connection, of course. With high-speed internet,
though, it really can be relaxing, just "playing around."
To "google it," means to look for information on
something using the Google search engine. Use other search engines
too, of course. MSN will display quite a few different results
than Google.
For an example of how to play with Google to find new solutions,
we'll start with the problem of expensive medical care. How do
we spend less? I just typed "cheap medical care" into
Google.
First Browse for Ideas
The first result was an article, "Westerners Seek Cheap
Medical Care in Asia." It reminds me that dental care is
70% cheaper in Mexico, less than two hours from where we live.
In a larger context, it makes me want to see why it is so cheap.
Maybe there is something to be learned there.
Another result is for a medical supply company. I recall selling
some crutches at a rummage sale once, and wonder where things
like wheelchairs can be bought used. That could be a real money
saver. An ad for low cost insurance plans makes me wonder how
many ways there are to save on medical insurance.
Then Dig Deeper
After you get a few ideas, dig deeper. When I actually click
through to the article on medical care in Asia, I find that it's
about a retired Oregon apple farmer who doesn't have insurance.
He was told it would be $35,000 and a six- month wait for surgery
on his torn knee ligaments. Instead, he had it done in India
for a third of that, including airfare to Bombay.
Now that's a solution! Save over $20,000 and have it done
sooner. Right away, I start to think of a business based on charter
flights to the best surgical centers of India. Would you like
a seat on the heart surgery express? Half price for heart surgery!
Use the search engines for information on how others have
solved your problem, and for new ideas.
After the initial search, I clicked through to the article, but
I also could have explored "insurance." The ad for
prescriptions and supplements had me thinking about how much
I could save if I ate well and never needed medical care.
Use search engines as personal brainstorming tools. Get new
ideas with search engine play.
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