Darren Shafae operates Paper-Check.Com, which is a proofreading business. Without web-based technologies, his business would probably be far smaller.

"I have taken the best of ideas I have seen, and refined them to meet our needs and improve work flow and customer and employee satisfaction," said Shafae.

So, what kinds of applications does Shafae use to improve his business? Well, let's take a look:

GotVMail: Basically, this is a virtual PBX system. In other words, there is no need to manage hardware or pay for consultants. Instead, Shafae pays for the service on a subscription basis.

Some of the features include custom greetings, multiple extensions, music-on-hold, toll-free numbers, Dial-By-Name Directory and so on. According to Shafae: "GotVMail offers professional voice talent that gives the impression that there are thousands of operators standing by to address client needs and concerns."

I recently read an excellent book, Gary Hamel's The Future of Management. Essentially, he believes that corporate management approaches are antiquated. As a result, many companies are failing to innovate and grow.

But, Hamel has found a variety of companies that are building new management models. Of course, one is Google (NASDAQ: GOOG).

According to Hamel: "What makes Google unique is less its Web-centric business model, but rather its brink-of-chaos management model. Key components include a wafer-thin hierarchy, a dense network of lateral communication, a policy of giving outsized rewards to people who come up with outsized ideas, a team-focused approach to product development, and a corporate credo that challenges every employee to put the user first."

That's a lot, but it's working quite well so far.

So how can your company get some Google magic?

Let's take a look: