Innovation from Google

Every generation is influenced by its period 's economic, political and social events. From the Great Depression to the civil rights and women 's movements to the advent of television and advanced computer technologies. Thus generational background/situation may also affect the way they work. The key is to be able to effectively address and take advantage of the differences in values and expectations of each generation in the workplace. The current work place consists of four different generations; The Baby Boomers (1946-1964) who are slowly retiring and existing the workforce, The Generation X (1965-1976), The Generation Y or millennia (1977-1997), and the Generation Z who are about to or are just entering the work force. Although these different generations tend to want similar things in a workplace their environment/background has shaped their character, values, and expectations (Hahn 2011).

Today, the workforce is made up of many different generations, which is affecting and effectively changing the workplace culture as a whole. The major generational differences between millennials and baby boomers can be either positive or negative depending on whom you ask. Boomers may categorize millennials as lazy and entitled, while millennials may call themselves innovative. No matter what they call themselves or each other, they all have to work together now as simply as that. This topic has sparked a lot of discussion as to how it’s best for each generation to act and deal with their other generational coworkers.

The generational span is exceedingly larger today than in the prior history of our nation. The multiple generations consist of the veterans 1922-1945, the baby boomers 1946-1964, the generation X 1965-1981, and, the generation Y 1982-1999, in addition, upcoming millennial generation born 2000-2016 (Murray, 2013). There frequently are misconceptions and misunderstandings based on the differing perspectives of each generation. Moreover, as an effective leader, one must comprehend and acknowledge the characteristics of each generation and utilize these individualities to mentor and motivate the staff they are leading (Hendricks & Cope, 2012). In addition to considering the impact of the generational

Currently the Millennial generation comprises between an estimated 10-17% of the Controller’s Office, when defining a millennial as someone between the ages of 18 to 34 (Pynes, 2004, p. 28). In the chart below (Figure 1), you can see the breakdown of the office’s age groups. As the 60-65 year olds leave the workforce it will be important to recruit individuals within the younger generations to develop a visionary workplace

The task at hand is for management to understand each generation’s strengths and weaknesses, and

Many employers are challenged with handling the millennial due to the lack of proper understanding of this generation since there is plenty of myths, propagated through anecdotes and assumptions. However the separation of the myths and the facts is important for an organization so as

Impatience also creates disillusionment among the millennial populace. Disillusionment created feelings of depression and lack of interest in their jobs as well as in their own lives. Simon brings a solution to the Millennials disillusionment, which is for companies and corporation to build the confidence of the Millennials and to retrain them in social interactions; and i disagree with this solution because it forces corporations to address a problem that they want to solve. Obviously, the main focus of a company is, itself, which means that if someone is not being productive than they are fired. This model of business has not been changed because it is effective towards increasing a company’s profit, which means that the only reason that a company would want to boost the confidence of a Millennials or retrain them is to boost profits; but is counterintuitive since Millennials have the urge to quit if they do not feel impactful. Besides, it is not the company’s responsibility to re-culture and reeducate an entire generation; the responsibility falls upon the individual

Google is one of the most popular, and most used web search engines in the world. Google also has many services that helps you send mail, generate website pages, and create blogs. With all of these great tools come many great, user-friendly features specifically tied to Google. Google has vastly become one of the best search engines in the world, if not the best. Google averages about 12 billion searches per month, which is the most by any search engine in the world. Users can also search for photos, newsletters, and even geographic locations. The best part is, that all of these services are basically free. Google has also set to build more then just a search engine. Google is working on Google glass, self-driving cars, and even have a cell phone called the Android. Google also owns the rights to YouTube, where many users go to upload and watch countless videos. Another great thing the company is doing is spending money on alternative energy sources; last year Google spent 1 billion dollars trying to increase the use of wind and solar energy. Google is also fighting in D.C. to keep the Internet free for Americans. Lastly, Google has one of the best working environments in the world. Google has been the number 1 best company to work for 5 times in a row, including this year. They have been reported to the best human resources department in the world, taking their employee’s happiness over profit. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Google is not the best company to work

In a work environment everybody wants to climb the totem pole. For Millennials, they want to rise to leadership without working too hard for it. They are trying to reach the leadership positions as fast as they can and at times they are unprepared for the position they enter because they have not experienced enough along the way. Where Millennials are too fast to rise to leadership, people considered to be Generation X, who are known for their hard work ethic and experience are often complacent in the workplace. Though they gained their experience (unlike Millennials) by working their way up the chain of command and gradually paying their dues and though they also do not expect to be handed a higher position, like Millennials who feel entitled to higher positions in the workplace, they are also not as motivated as Millennials. (Bresman)

Although Google, Wikipedia has changed the world; however, its said to have changed for the worse as expressed in “How Google, Wikipedia Have Changed Our Lives..” by J.W. Maderazo. To begin with, Google and Wikipedia may give people information without picking up a book, but it is not challenging anyone to do the research themselves. Maderazo stated, “I am also feeling unchallenged and reliant on this type of convenience.” People who use the internet are not using their own intelligence to enhance oneself but relying on a sole source to do all the work for them. Also important, In this time and age, everyone is using Google, and Wikipedia sources for everything they can think of, which makes everyone so impatient when trying to get information.

Many changes are happening in the workforce today. Our labor environment consists of multiple generations, which creates fundamentally differing approaches to everything from work ethics, business management, and co-worker cooperation. The most recent generation, commonly known as “Generation Y” or the “Millennial” generation, is slowly taking over the workforce. Because they bring with them a radically new mindset and opinion of labor, the global business infrastructure should be modified to not only accommodate “Millennials,” but also to remain sympathetic to the business practices characteristic of previous generations. Doing so will provide more harmony and productivity among co-workers of different generational backgrounds.

3) Googleyness – bringing something new to the world and having qualities of intellectual humility

Google’s human relations and human resource management styles have changed the way that companies will be managed in the years to come. Google’s model of motivation and leadership tears down the traditional scientific management theory which focuses on results rather than the employees who deliver those results. The Vice President of People Development at Google stated that the company’s strives “to create the happiest, most productive workplace in the world. It’s less about the aspiration to be No.1 in the world, and more that we want our employees and future employees to love it here, because that’s what’s going to make us successful” (Smith,2014). Google shows employees they are valued and constantly motivates them in the workplace by creating a culture that fulfills their needs in all aspects. The office design, the management style, policies, and perks/benefits all put the employee first.

1. How does Google encourage technical employee’s innovation? How does Google encourage managers’ innovation? ...................................................................................................................................................... 1 2. 3. 4. 5. What are the Google’s values? What are the benefits of this culture? ....................................................... 2 What types of employees are likely to be attracted by Google’s CULTURE? ............................................... 3 What kind of measures Google implemented in order to develop and strengthen its culture? ................... 3 What could be the drawbacks of the Google’s model?

When it comes to Millennials, there is nothing that screams “business as usual.” Consequently, savvy leaders who want to remain successful in the global business arena, must concede their current method of attracting, engaging, developing and retaining Millennials as future global leaders is ineffective. Therefore, today’s leaders must develop a more compelling strategy to entice Millennials into leadership. Failure to use strategic foresight to recognize trends regarding future organizational trends and take timely actions to change their tried and true, old school philosophy regarding developing and retaining talented employees will result in losing the competitive edge, which is driven by technology-laden Millennial’s who are poised to innovation.