The Google Way

Reviewed by Robert L. Pritchett

Author: Bernard Girard NoStarch Press http://nostarch.com/google.htm Released: April 10, 2009 Pages: 256 ISBN: 9781593271848 Strengths: Shows how the founders of Google take the best of the best and ignore the rest in making their company and concepts successful. Weaknesses: None found.

Introduction

 

In The Google Way, management consultant and Google analyst Bernard Girard explores Google and the revolutionary management strategies behind its success. In the spirit of classic works of corporate exploration, Girard covers topics like Google's economic model; recruiting strategies; culture of innovation; product release strategies; pervasiveness of math and reliance on technology; the power of users; and the 20 percent rule that allows employees to spend 20 percent of their time on individual pursuits.

 

Throughout the book, Girard combines extensive research with his knowledge of business theory and fresh, original observations. Already a bestseller in its original French, this English edition has been updated and revised to offer powerful insights into the business of Google and its many inspiring, if unconventional, management strategies.

 

The Google Way is sure to energize and captivate even the most jaded of readers as it offers fodder for restructuring or reinvigorating their businesses. Ultimately, readers can take the strategies and methods Girard reveals and apply them to their own ventures -- a dose of energy and optimism that we can all use in today's uncertain times.

 

As you read, you'll see how much of Google's success is due to its focus on users and automation. You'll also learn how eCommerce has profoundly changed the relationship between businesses and their customers, for the first time giving customers an important role to play in a major corporation's growth. Finally, Girard speculates about the limits of Google's business model and discusses the challenges it will face as it continues to grow.

 

Google's culture is one of innovation. Why not make that spirit of innovation your own?

 

What I Learned

 

This is not a thinly-disguised marketing book on behalf of Google. Rather, it is a well-researched, easily readable, history-and-opinion book that shows how the triumverate founders of Google have  end-runned classic business management principles and income-producing concepts and Ju-Jitsued them into a  runaway Internet success. It shows how they were able to take a palatable and rewarding Reeces Pieces approach in rewarding geeky innovation (read mathematically-based algorithms), combined with acadamia-inspired management structure to produce a company that thrives on "Open Sourcing" information.

 

Conclusion

 

Find out how the founders of Google turned their company into a multi-billion-dollar business. It can be done again.