Google, its mission, and business model
Google was founded by Larry Page and his college mate Sergey Brin whom he met at Stanford University in 1995 (Jarvis, 2011). By that time, they had formed a search engine known as the BackRub which used links to categorize different WebPages (Jarvis, 2011). Google was officially incorporated on the 4th of September, 1998 and its first initial public offering was made on the 9th of August, 2004 (Jarvis, 2011). Google has one specific mission in its operations, “making information available and accessible”. The company has taken the responsibility to organize the world’s load of information and arrange it in a systematic manner. This order makes it easier for millions of world-wide-web users to access the information at their request on the Google search engine (Jarvis, 2011).
Google’s business model is its major selling point. It is listed among the best and leading technology companies in the world and its greatest success is its search engine. The Google search engine helps millions of internet users to locate useful information that they need. One of the greatest business models that Google has successfully adopted is the self-service auction-based advertising program (Kaplan, 2007). Based on the number of users using the Google search engine, many organizations are using this platform to launch their advertisements. Such companies pay Google for every click on their advert. They attach their adverts to the search results and every time a user clicks on the advert, the company advertising pays Google on a Cost per Click basis (Kaplan, 2007). With its global sales and support infrastructure, Google is able to help its customers in a self-service strategy. The company is mostly interested in automation (Kaplan, 2007). Google depends mainly on advertising since 96% of its revenue is drawn from there (Kaplan, 2007). However, the company has been venturing into other innovations with the most recent proposal is developing an operating system.
Types of people working at Google, qualities and typical background of a Google employee
The first thing to note about the type of people working at Google is that the company hires only the best people in the industry. Ranked as the best place to work for by Forbes magazine, Google’s terms of service attract the very best players in the industry. In addition, for one to become an employee at Google, he or she must have entrepreneurial skills. This includes the power and willingness to take risks and the ability to innovate. Google depends on a new invention in order to compete with its rivals. Therefore, the kind of employee needed in such a competitive market is one who can add value to the company. One of the company’s founders, Larry Page, emphasizes moving fast and accepting the resulting mistakes rather than working with caution and doing too little (Vise, 2007). The people who work at Google are professionals who are willing to go the extra mile and take risks by trying new ideas. A leader at Google is therefore defined by his or her ability to take risks and accept the consequences afterward. At Google, a leader must be a risk-taker and an innovative individual.
Services and amenities offered by Google to its employees
Working at Google is the best experience compared to many other places. This is due to the numerous benefits that the company offers its workers. When workers are comfortable at their place of work, their yield is also very high. Contented workers are more effective and productive compared to uncomfortable ones. At Google, a number of amenities are offered for the benefit of the employees. Employees at Google have access to gym facilities and onsite doctors’ services.
3 ways in which such amenities create an organizational culture that fosters creativity and innovation
To start with, in every organization, the health of its employees is very important. A healthy individual is more likely to create and generate new ideas compared to an unhealthy one. The gym facilities offered in the company are meant to ensure that the employees keep their bodies fit through exercise. Secondly, while on a gym session, employees are able to bond and interact in an informal setting other than the normal office environment. Here, the employees are able to learn from each other and identify each other’s strengths and weaknesses. This creates a lasting bond and ultimately it develops into an organizational culture (Vise, 2007). Thirdly, doctors’ onsite are meant to deliver quick services and emergency medical attention to the employees at the place of work. By doing this, the company is putting the safety of its employees first and this sends a very positive gesture. When employees feel secure as far as health issues are concerned, their productivity improves.
Google’s Organizational culture
Google’s organizational culture is based on many principles. One of the basic principles that govern the company’s organizational culture is putting its employees’ interests first. The company strives to make its employees feel as comfortable as possible at work. Employees with small kids can comfortably carry them to work since there is an onsite childcare facility at the Googleplex (Vise, 2007). The company also offers 4 months of paid paternal leave to its male workers (Vise, 2007). At Google, making a mistake is not viewed as a problem. The company encourages innovation and risk-taking among its employees. The company’s decision-making process is done through teamwork. This is the culture that the top leadership has instilled in the workers hence creating a culture of teamwork. To facilitate teamwork, offices at Google are open and only a few selected employees are allowed to use private offices (Jarvis, 2011). Hiring at Google is one of the longest cultures that have existed for many years. The interviews are done in a thorough process tailored to ensure the chosen candidates share the company’s values (Jarvis, 2011).
Considering the organizational culture and the benefits of the employees at Google, I would love to work in the company. The workers’ benefits are numerous and the environment is very conducive especially for a creative individual. The company will give me an opportunity to utilize my creative skills. In an organization where employees are not victimized for making mistakes, I would be more than glad to join the workforce. The organizational culture at Google and the principles that govern the company are very friendly and favorable. I believe if I could get an opportunity to work for Google I would be very excited. Anyone would want to work in one of the best companies in the entire world. The company’s management structure is also very friendly. The company is not governed by a few top leaders disseminating instructions downwards to their juniors. Decisions are made through teamwork which is one of the most striking advantages for me.
References
Jarvis, J. (2011). What would Google do? Reverse-engineering the fastest growing company in the history of the world. New York, NY: Harper Business.
Kaplan, S. L. (2007). Business strategy, people strategy, and total rewards. Benefits & Compensation Digest, 44(9): 12-19.
Vise, D. (2007). The Google story. Strategic Direction, 23(10): 1.