• Improves real-time collaboration

• Increases time spent interacting with the community by decreasing admin work

• Provides employees with a built-in AI assistant that can answer questions and help with brainstorming

The Center’s transition to Google Workspace was both a technological and cultural shift for the organization. By migrating away from its previous solutions, it was able to eliminate its on-premise hardware and move entirely to a cloud-based operating model. "I wasn’t the only one that wanted to bring in Google," Varas says. "I noticed staff members using Google Docs with their personal Google accounts, as our younger team is already well-versed in Workspace tools." 

This combination of a top-down and bottom-up approach meant that Latino Center of the Midlands was able to simplify the onboarding process. The employees that needed onboarding support had access to asynchronous learning resources and educational workshops as needed, but the primary onboarding process was internal co-education as team members found tips and tricks to share with one another. 

This positive experience with Google Workspace led to adopting the Gemini app and Gemini for Google Workspace. "We started testing Gemini as soon as it was released," Varas shares. "Our management team has found a lot of value in streamlining our work — whether it's drafting emails, brainstorming, researching, or even lesson planning, we can do more faster."

When Latino Center of the Midlands brings on new technology, its primary goal is to provide better services to its community faster and give its team more time to interact directly with people who use its services. The Center’s leadership team is using Gemini for Workspace to improve internal communication. "We have over 15 countries represented amongst our staff members, and English isn’t always their first language. They have a newfound sense of confidence in their communication and accuracy because of Gemini in Gmail," Varas says. "There’s an increase in volume and accuracy of communication, and it’s so much more than spell check. They can ask Gemini to translate and improve their writing over time."

On the client-facing side, the program’s teachers are using Gemini in Google Slides and Docs to create lesson plans and presentations for their classrooms. "My team can quickly create a lesson plan via prompts, and then focus on fine-tuning it for their specific classroom," Varas says. "Our educators can now use that hour before class for tutoring or answering questions rather than finishing up last-minute lesson changes. That community face time is critical for us, and Gemini enables us to spend that time more meaningfully, advancing our mission."

Many of the Center's employees are in the early stages of their careers. With Gemini, those just entering the workforce have an additional support system for learning how to navigate their careers and day-to-day tasks. "Gemini is a built-in advisor for our staff — especially our younger staff. They can ask Gemini questions about how to create a slide deck or start on a new project, and focus their time with their managers on more complicated challenges and goal-setting instead," Varas says.

The organization's more experienced members leverage Gemini for similar but more complex questions. For example, Varas uses Gemini in Gmail to "super speed" edit his email drafts. "While I strive to maintain a zero inbox, responding to numerous emails thoughtfully can quickly consume my day," he says. "The time I save not having to think about or draft emails, I can now use for more strategic work and help move the needle for the future of our organization."

These strategic projects include initiatives such as the Latino Center of the Midlands’ team in-service events focused on sharing strategy documents, personal development, and AI training to create customized resources that enhance our mission. With the Gemini app, Varas was able to generate a sample schedule before moving it into Docs to refine. "It’s great to have a place to start from, but the greatest tool for me is stress-testing my ideas," he shares. "One of my favorite questions to ask Gemini is ‘How can I improve this?’ Once I’ve had Gemini refine my first drafts, I can sharpen my approach, more confidently share ideas, and ask my team to find more complicated or nuanced gaps in my plans."

By using Gemini for Workspace to simplify brainstorming and reduce the time it takes to make decisions, Latino Center’s nonprofit leadership team has more time to serve its core purpose: designing and leading more comprehensive programs to serve the Omaha area’s Latino community.