How Google Works

September 1, 2014
Turn off your phone, lock the door, and settle down for an entertaining and educational book about Google, the company everyone wonders about, written by insiders Schmidt, Google executive chairman; and Rosenberg, consultant to co-founder Larry Page. From page one, the stories, whether about the early days at Google or the company's unusual, occasionally outrageous, but brilliant business practices, are irresistible. Readers will learn how to manage "smart creatives," develop a "culture of Yes," and craft a meaningful mission statement. This enthusiastic manifesto encourages readers â and leaders - to "habitually overcommunicate" and "set (almost) unattainable goals." Still, it might be interesting to learn how the rest of the company feels about the "20 percent time" program for individual projects that applies to engineers but apparently not to anyone else. There might be more underneath the rock than we're allowed to see. The inevitable comparison to Apple leaves Google positionedâof courseâas taking the high road. The book's clearly propaganda, but that can be easily forgiven in the course of such an energized and exciting primer on creating a company and workforce prepared to meet an "inspiring" future.

Schmidt, Google's executive chairman, joins forces with Rosenberg, currently adviser to Google's CEO, in this rather surface-deep yet fascinating examination of the lessons learned and the evolving management philosophies of the international Internet giant they helped build. Google, all of 16 years old, is estimated to be worth $300 billion. Rosenberg provides a workmanlike reading of both the foreword and the introduction. The heavy lifting is done by Holter Graham, who provides a masterful yet intimate narration that will engage the listener. Graham earns the greatest of all plaudits: He becomes transparent in recounting an absorbing story, which is no small feat in a volume that, as told by a lesser narrator, might sound like a dry business management primer. W.A.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine

August 15, 2014
Two distinguished technology executives share the methodology behind what made Google a global business leader. Former Google CEO Schmidt (co-author: The New Digital Age: Reshaping the Future of People, Nations and Business, 2013) and former senior vice president of products Rosenberg share accumulated wisdom and business acumen from their early careers in technology, then later as management at the Internet search giant. Though little is particularly revelatory or unexpected, the companywide processes that have made Google a household name remain timely and relevant within today's digitized culture. After several months at Google, the authors found it necessary to retool their management strategies by emphasizing employee culture, codifying company values, and rethinking the way staff is internally positioned in order to best compliment their efforts and potential. Their text places "Googlers" front and center as they adopted the business systems first implemented by Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who stressed the importance of company-wide open communication. Schmidt and Rosenberg discuss the value of technological insights, Google's effective "growth mindset" hiring practices, staff meeting maximization, email tips, and the company's effective solutions to branding competition and product development complications. They also offer a condensed, two-page strategy checklist that serves as an apt blueprint for managers. At times, statements leak into self-congratulatory territory, as when Schmidt and Rosenberg insinuate that a majority of business plans are flawed and that the Google model is superior. Analogies focused on corporate retention and methods of maximizing Google's historically impressive culture of "smart creatives" reflect the firm's legacy of spinning intellect and creativity into Internet gold. The authors also demarcate legendary application missteps like "Wave" and "Buzz" while applauding the independent thinkers responsible for catapulting the company into the upper echelons of technological innovation. An informative and creatively multilayered Google guidebook from the businessman's perspective.

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