How Google Works • Hacker News Board

Re: How Google Works

#71

Post by rmsaksida » Thu, Oct 16, 2014, 10:48 AM UTC

galago wrote: post #29

ethnomusicolog wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, but the demographic constituency who can play the game is expanding. It's getting easier to hack your socio-economic status.

The guys that started Google came from Stanford, the Facebook guy, Harvard. The Dropbox guys, MIT. Is there someone who went to Bunker Hill Community College or its many equivaltents who was able create a majorly disruptive business? I don't want to sound like Reddit, but link to something.

Jan Koum, Whatsapp founder, is an example. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Koum

Re: How Google Works

#72

Post by frozenport » Thu, Oct 16, 2014, 11:03 AM UTC

If you are the top tech company is it hard to attract talent?

Re: How Google Works

#73

Post by victor22 » Thu, Oct 16, 2014, 11:04 AM UTC

WoodenChair wrote: post #37

I found these slides rather shallow. Smart, creative people are the best employees? Who knew! The Internet led to massive disruptions in traditional businesses? Wow! Sorry for my cynicism/sarcasm, but I see the book campaign as Eric Schmidt positioning himself for his next role. He's trying to secure his personal Google legacy as he gets ready for an exit. I can't imagine it's all that enticing to go from CEO to chai…

First, the slides are meant to be simple. Notice how this is written/drawn in a children's book style? Second, I do think it's very very provocative for "formal" people like me. I'm the business guy in a suit who just left Procter & Gamble.

Re: How Google Works

#74

Post by hueving » Thu, Oct 16, 2014, 11:09 AM UTC

cjbarber wrote: post #27

eru wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which had an interesting reception among Googlers.

How so?

Reflection of a CEO massively disconnected from what it's actually like to work there.

Re: How Google Works

#75

Post by Leander_B » Thu, Oct 16, 2014, 11:14 AM UTC

And then you apply for a job and wait... wait... and wait some more with no updates. Rather fix/speed up recruiting than making bogus slides. If a customer (or applicant) expresses interest in your company, also be humble and give an answer within acceptable time.

Re: How Google Works

#76

Post by skj » Thu, Oct 16, 2014, 11:29 AM UTC

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #52

DonPellegrino wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was under the impression that the work load at Google is so heavy that it is almost impossible to get "20% time" anymore. During what time did you work on your idea? Are they freeing you of all responsibilities to build your prototype or do they expect you to do it in your free time and then donate it to the company? Thanks, I'm very curious about this aspect of Google's culture.

I don't know, if the 20% time is part of Google's core principles, then claiming that 20% time will / should trump deadlines.

Launching products is also part of Google's core principles.

Re: How Google Works

#77

Post by pauletienney » Thu, Oct 16, 2014, 11:31 AM UTC

WoodenChair wrote: post #37

I found these slides rather shallow. Smart, creative people are the best employees? Who knew! The Internet led to massive disruptions in traditional businesses? Wow! Sorry for my cynicism/sarcasm, but I see the book campaign as Eric Schmidt positioning himself for his next role. He's trying to secure his personal Google legacy as he gets ready for an exit. I can't imagine it's all that enticing to go from CEO to chai…

This book target is not Hacker News readers / tech savvy people.

Re: How Google Works

#78

Post by _pmf_ » Thu, Oct 16, 2014, 11:43 AM UTC

general_failure wrote: post #42

Dunno but I found most of it fairly clichéd

> Dunno but I found most of it fairly clichéd

That's what they get from imitating Apple, the poster child of whitewashed generic stock presentations.

Re: How Google Works

#79

Post by TeMPOraL » Thu, Oct 16, 2014, 11:44 AM UTC

hueving wrote: post #69

TeMPOraL wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why? That slave labour was used to build pyramids is a popular but unfounded belief. There is evidence suggesting that some pyramids were built by well-paid government contractors. Also apparently American-type slavery was a historical abberation. A typical slave in the past was not unlike a salaried employee today. He was well-treated, earned good money for his services and was able to free himself after accumulatin…

>free himself after accumulating enough of it If you don't think enslavement to a particular person is worse than working now, you need a reality check.

Do I? I mind you, "enslavement" has bad connotations mostly thanks to United States, it wasn't that bad in the ancient past.

Also consider that technology sector is somewhat special in this regard. Your typical unskilled worker is pretty much a wage slave. Many a slave in the past (again, excluding US) was in much better situation than your average friendly neighbourhood supermarket clerk.

Re: How Google Works

#80

Post by dzhiurgis » Thu, Oct 16, 2014, 11:54 AM UTC

codeonfire wrote: post #13

The motivation of Google is not even discussed here. Why do you want to create a certain environment for "smart creatives?" Oh yeah, almost forgot... so they'll make products that will make Google lots of money. This always leads to a logic contradiction. If they are so smart and creative, why do they need Google? Everyone knows if you create the next g-mail you still walk in on Monday and get a salary, not equity. Y…

I have a question - aren't there any other companies that follow the same culture? Especially outside Patriot™ zone?