Lessons learnt as a Google intern (1)

With three previous internships prior to joining Google and one more right after, I’m convinced that Google is in a world of its own.

Little wonder the company has achieved such remarkable success over a short time. I stand to be corrected, but never in history has a company grown so huge and powerful.

It has remained one of the most sought after companies by job seekers (ranking number 1 on Forbes Best Companies to work in 2007 & 2008) and is currently one of the top brands in the world.

Please, join me as I journey through some Googley lessons:

Lesson 1 – Build a unique culture
 

If I were to describe the company in one word it would be UNCONVENTIONAL. It is definitely one of the few places where you can truly be yourself.

No dress code, no fixed working hours, no unnecessary monitoring of how you carry out your work. Even Interns like me are treated like full timers.

Although it is not the highest paying tech company, it is arguably the most sought after. This is because of the knowledge of the unique way that the company is run.

Just like a recent study shows what truly motivates people, the Google culture allows for independent thinking, mastery of work and provides a sense of purpose.

You can take time to read about how they undertook their IPO. Never had such been approach been taken by a company to the US stock market.

Lesson 2 – Innovate or die
 

At Google, a great deal of emphasis is placed on innovation so there is just no time for competition. For me, innovation really never has to be from scratch.

It is more about having a different approach to solving a problem or improving an existing solution. Google was not the first search engine, but it has taken that idea and made it the best in the world.

Google Goggles (an app for Android phones) and the Pacman game embedded in the Google Home Page are a few example of the company’s knack for creative solutions.

Lesson 3 – Be more value oriented than revenue oriented
 

Google never really seeks out immediate ways to monetise their products and services. Instead emphasis is placed on making the product the best possible, getting people to use it and then later figuring out how to generate revenue.They understand the simple law that when you create value, money will follow.

Lesson 4 – Focus on the customer (user)
 

One of the popular phrases by Google is – Focus on the user and all else will follow. This is very true.

Many people and firms choose instead to focus on the revenue or profit.

I’m not sure if some business managers and owners have ever heard about customer service let alone know what it means. Another issue is developing products without involving the end-user in the development process.

I once asked someone who had two similar mobile apps on his phone which he preferred.

He answered: “The one that allows me search through easily”. User experience is a big deal at Google and we should learn to provide solutions and services that will satisfy the customer or end-user.

People aren’t stupid. They know what they want and will flock to where they can get it.

 

Source:Punch newspaper