Don’t Be Evil: The Mantra That Did The Magic !
The above caption had captured my imagination for decades.(Particularly in the late 80’s and early 90’s when I stepped into the IT industry).
This value system has perhaps made Google one of the most respected and ethical company in the world.(Research organisation Ethisphere voted Google one of the world’s most ethical companies).
The Sunrise Days !
The above picture taken in the early late 80’s shows Google’s happy faces.They were right.
Today, More than 70 percent of worldwide online search requests are handled by Google !
Why I Like ?
"Don’t Be Evil" The Mantra That Did The Magic
Though CEOs find it tricky to define but in a way also goes to show that Google, for a common man is an organization with a bias towards good and not evil.
This attitude in the long run could have a huge impact on the workforce, the people associated with the company and its stake holders psyche while dealing with the feel good and no-harm organization.
While remuneration is the key job attractor but the ‘Feel Good Factor’ too could remain a deciding force for the employees to stay back and contribute to the organizational success.
The value system in a business shouts-out loud in most subtle ways than one can imagine and hugely impact the organizational success, this, I believe, in all its glory has been demonstrated at Google.
What comes to my mind now is the analogy of the wise monkey formula:
See no evil, speak no evil and hear no evil : Ah Aha Does it really matter in Businesses ?
The answer could be YES !
But ultimately It’s the Impact and not the effort
Google today is more than just an corporate organization but a champion of hope and aspirations of the free world.
Goodies like Green credentials today adds the responsible organization tag to successful conglomerates and this is demonstrated at Google which include cooling their power-hungry data centers, running a free bus service for employees and encouraging them to drive electric cars.
Google also known to invests heavily in solar and wind power, going to greater lengths with the ambition of becoming the world’s first carbon neutral company in the foreseeable future.
Google is also not afraid to voice its opinions on social issues be it LGBT rights and is also addressing the gender imbalance in the tech industry by offering academic scholarships for women while generously donating thousands of employee-hours and billions of dollars each year to good causes, including anti-human trafficking charities, wildlife conservation projects and computer science education programmes.
Google has time and again demonstrated Mission and Core values of an organization must to be taken seriously and this gives character and foundation for successful and world class conglomerates.
Is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) a Ritualistic Myth ?
Not at Google, When we look at their CSR, the company has donated over $1 billion to renewable energy projects, and has decreased its own carbon footprint by using energy efficient buildings and public transportation.
Above all Google is also a staunch advocate of free speech, which can be observed from its frequent conflicts with the Chinese government on this matter.
Google is also an open supporter of gay rights. Yet all this pales in comparison to Google's status as a paragon for employee benefits.
Employees have access to free health care and treatment from on-site doctors, free legal advice with discounted legal services, a fully stock snack pantry and onsite cafeteria and a free on-site nursery to name a few.
With such a stellar record of social awareness and positive employee relations, one can very well presume that Google is easily the best example of ethics in the corporate world today.
How it all Started?
It was a Spark over here between these two smiling faces Larry Page and Sergey Brin (in the pic below) and rest as we all know is history:
And their belief system?
- Focus on the user and all else will follow.
- It’s best to do one thing really, really well.
- Fast is better than slow.
- Democracy on the web works.
- You don’t need to be at your desk to need an answer.
- You can make money without doing evil.
- There’s always more information out there.
- The need for information crosses all borders.
- You can be serious without a suit.
- Great just isn’t good enough.
And this is my saying:
“Every Child born in the 21st Century says “Google” first even before it learns to say Dad and Mom ” - Krish Madampath.
Another googly:
Being in tech support job in a large organisation is sometimes amusing, I had this first hand experience of user complaints when something is not working, most of the users call up and complain as "Google not working" the actual problem will be internet not working, for them the home page set is google and its not working, that's it ! and for a vast majority of people using internet in India "Google has become synonym to internet" and that's amazing !
My article also finds a special mention on IndiaMention.com for inspirational purpose for organizations in India to appreciate and emulate the successes of such doyens.
Kudos and way to go Google !
Joy and Laughter,
Krish Madampath.