Example Of Free Meals At Google Research Paper

Innovation from Google Free Food Strategy

Innovation from Google Free Food Strategy

Introduction

When Larry Page and Sergey Brin were Ph.D. students, they thought of launching Google in 1995. They were based in America and became the owners of this popular search engine that is ranked among the world’s first widely used search engine. The owners now own more than 15 percent shares in the company, and the rest are owned by the stockholders and through Public Offerings. As mentioned earlier, Google is considered to one of the most widely accepted and popular and topped ranked search engine in the world. The company changed its organizational structure into a private limited company in 1998 and then the organizational structure was transformed into a public limited company in 2004 through Initial Public Offerings of the shares (Agam, 2005).
The main mission statement of the company is to organize the world’s information and make it readily available in the universe. The CEO of the company admits that the company has far moved out of this mission statement as it has been able to make its position in the world of search engines and probably need a new mission statement to further elaborate on its expertise and business principles (Samuel, 2014). The main focus of the management is to keep the employees motivated, happy, encouraged and provide them with a flexible and easy work environment so they are able to provide and implement creative ideas and perform well. Over the time, the company has proven to provide a unique and an excellent work environment for its employees in comparison to its competitors. Apart from this, the company has been able to attract and retain their workforce (Crystal, 2005). The main business model implemented at Google focuses on marketing and advertising – relates to every search engine business model, but an added advantage is the focus on innovation and product enhancements. The model has provided the company with a competitive advantage and has been able to invest in innovation and creative products and services.
Analyze the type of people that work at Google with respect to the business culture of the organization. Identify 1-2 qualities that define a leader at Google and typical background of Google employee.
As the company’s website stated that, the people are the main strength of the company and make what Google is today. Google prefers hiring of the people who are determined and smart, and their skill set and expertise is preferred over the years of experience they have in their field. Even though the employees at Google share common targets, goals and vision for the company to achieve, but the workforce is intensely diverse – people belong from all walks of life speaking different languages and reflecting the global culture that the company serves. The employees focus on extra-curricular activities ranging from beekeeping, playing Frisbee, cycling and foxtrot when not at work (Google, 2014). The culture at Google is open, relaxed and friendly that focus on startups where everyone can contribute and share their opinions and ideas. In the weekly meetings also known as TGIF meetings, mostly in cafes and via email the Googlers are able to ask any type of question from the senior management as well as the owners of the company. The physical environment of Google’s office is designed in the manner that the teams can interact with each other at work and even play related matters at work (Gale, 2002).
The managers focus upon that employees should equally participate their creative ideas and concepts and brainstorm about the future products and offerings, and believe that once the employees are given an opportunity they can certainly deliver. The leaders delegate tasks and follow the democratic style of leadership where decisions are made after discussing with employees and employees are encouraged to be more autonomous and creative at work. As mentioned earlier, the preferred employee at Google is the one who has more skills and technical expertise than years of experience, is smart, comfortable and is hardworking (Francesco, 2005).
Identify two (2) examples of services or amenities that Google provides to its employees, interns, partners, and visitors. Next, examine two to three (2-3) ways in which such free services and amenities create an organizational culture that fosters creativity and innovation.

Google cafeteria is considered to be one of the best eating places in at the workplace. It often offers free gourmet organic meals, breakfast, and dinner daily. Google has a strategy of improving their environment for which they support their local fishermen and farmers produce. The cafeteria at Google encourages Googlers to consume organic healthy food and serve line caught fish and not the one that is raised on the farm or is caught wildly. When the Googlers enter the cafeteria, they are greeted with a healthy list of meals that they can eat all day and a suitable food consumption plan (Trevor, 2014).

Maternity leaves

It must be strange to mention maternity leaves under non-monetary benefits because this is stated, in law, that a mother will receive maternity leave, but Google goes beyond just maternity leave benefits. The three months leave is awarded under law, but Google provides almost 5.5months long maternity leave. In addition, new fathers are allowed six weeks of paid leave after having a baby. Stocks of the employees’ on leave continue to grow, and they receive bonuses as well while they are on leave. The Google maternity leave benefit does not end here. The company has implemented a bonus program known as baby bonding bucks, which is the amount of US$ 500 given to parents’ right after the birth of baby so parents can easily afford baby formula milk, diapers, and any other expense incurred after birth. As a free on-site daycare facility is also given to mothers who return to work after maternity leaves (Crystal, 2005).
Discuss Google’s organizational culture, and determine whether or not you would prefer to work in this type of environment. Indicate whether or not Google’s company culture would help you to perform your tasks with a greater degree of creativity and innovation. Provide a rationale for e is your response.
The leaders at Google follow a democratic style of leadership and the culture is comfortable and relaxed with a flat organizational structure. The flat organizational structure gives an opportunity to be more creative and provides autonomy to employees in their work. The middle management in the hierarchy is limited that makes it easier for the teams to divide the work accordingly and hold each and every employee to be equally responsible and accountable for their actions. The decision making is done with brainstorming and discussion with employees and not only by the top management. Smaller teams are formed that focus on the problems and creative solutions to develop appropriate measures and rationale to solve the problems and launch more products likewise.
At Google, the employees are encouraged to provide a rationale for every decision or thought they have and not merely state that it is the gut feeling, or I think it will work like this. A new concept or idea should be presented with data and reasonings. As discussed earlier an open office environment is encouraged so that the teams are able to interact with each other frequently. I am interested in working at Google because the culture is friendly, accommodating, and the creative ideas are encouraged. The employees failing at tasks are encouraged to try again rather than demotivated for their performance (Francesco, 2005).

References

Agam Shah (2005, January 25) Google launches TV search engine, IDG News Service, http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,119421,00.asp.
Crystal, G. (May 14, 2005). Creative motivation at Google Inc., http://www.financialexpress.com/news/creativemotivationatgoogle inc/135136/2
Francesco, A. M. (2005). Motivation. International organization behavior: text, cases, and skills 124-143. HDS http://www.hds.com/corporate/pressanalystcenter/pressreleases/2013/gl130118.html
Gale, S. F. (2002) “Small Rewards Can Push Productivity” Workforce. June: p.81.
Google (2014) Our Culture, Google website.
Samuel Gibbs (2014) Google has 'outgrown' its 14-year old mission statement, The Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/03/larry-page-google-dont-be-evil-sergey-brin
Trevor Felch (2014) Lunch at Google HQ is as Insanely Awesome as You Thought http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/01/lunch-at-google-insanely-awesome-as-you-thought.html