I consider activity on Google+ important for business owners. The real SEO and search benefits are however not achieved by updating your Google+ Business page, but rather your Google+ personal page.
So, how can you connect with others to start building your Google+ empire and improved rankings for your company website in the organic listings? Start by making sure the content you write is on target, on topic, and engaging. I use my Google+ page for business and not personal use. Consider doing the same for now.
Work to actively add users to circles and respond when someone adds you to one of their circles. Click +1 and leave comments on posts you find interesting. You’ve simply got to spend some time.
Consider starting a hangout. Well I am still thinking about that one, but have participated in several others and they can be fun. I have just not initiated one.
I personally find that for placement Google+ should be considered important. As Google does not allow any automated or scheduled updates to be passed to your Google+ personal page (Google does to your business page), you will find the community of business people,legitimate, real and engaging.
Personally, I use Facebook for personal interaction on my locked down private page and Google+ as my face on social networks for business.