Financially, Google is one of the most successful companies in the world. In 2018 alone the company’s revenue amounted to 116 billion dollars. As well as this, globally it is the most visited website in the world, and its subsidiary YouTube is a close second. As well as being one of the most successful companies in the world, it is also the most popular place to work. Their nearly 90,000 strong work force is one large community based on the ideology that the happier the person, the better they’ll work. Google regularly is in the top ten “best places to work” in the UK, and they pride themselves on it. Google’s London office includes such luxuries as sleep pods, and Olympic sized swimming pool, a roof terrace – complete with mini golf course, and a free canteen with lobster on the menu. Workers can even apply for a dog pass and can bring their pooch into the office. That would definitely make me want to work there! These perks are, in part, made to make the work life as easy as possible so the staff can fully focus on their work. This breeds a community of positivity with workers pleased to be there, and communities are key in the success of a company.
Why is a community of workers good for Google?
Communities of workers can create trust within the company. The staff can pick their own hours, and can, within reason, proceed in their own way. However, the community also creates a strong team feeling. If you’re not working hard enough, then you’re only letting your friends down. Yes, they are most likely friends. If you work at a desk all day, your likely only to have colleagues, though if you head of for a lunch time massage with someone, a friendship may ensue! The peer evaluation technique can eliminate the needs for the hierarchical system, and with that the irritating boss caricature. Due to the happiness of the staff and the apparent perks of the job, the staff turnover rate is very slim. Why leave a perfect job, I guess! This makes the HR teams life much easier!
Google is also known for their bottom-up style of feedback. Each person has the ability to contribute their ideas to the higher levels of management. The sense of community is so engrained into the psyche of the company, that it allows for synergy both within and outside of the company. A community can never be inward looking, and Google’s methods help collaboration and growth.
This sounds great, Sign me up right now!
Unfortunately, and not surprisingly, getting a job at Google is almost impossible. On the off chance that there is an opening, join the queue of millions of people who want that very same job. Never have you had to work so hard to make friends in your life! If you do manage to nab that job, then make the most of that lobster!!
Paddy is passionate about marketing and in particular helping new businesses to get their marketing mix right. He works very closely with a number of start up and early stage companies, helping them to define their product strategy and targets markets.