5 things Indian tech companies can learn from the Google success story

If there is one thing about Google that never changes, it is the way it continues to shock and surprise the world. The recent announcement of a new operating structure under the holding company Alphabet and the elevation of Sundar Pichai as Google’s CEO would have raised millions of eyebrows worldwide.

The move yet again emphasizes that the technology industry thrives on disruptions and why it is so important  for the leaders to continue to break conventional norms and chart their own success stories.

And as Google continues to do that, here we look at some interesting and successful ideas that Indian tech firms can borrow from the world’s most innovative company;

Not losing focus from the one big thing

Google might have expanded into many diverse businesses over the time, but it continues its reign as the internet giant. This is something it does really well and continues to do so. In fact, the recent change in the operating structure is also in a way a step to strengthen its unified focus on internet businesses under a single leadership that will help the company to stay focused on the core business, without getting deviated by the new ambitious projects it is entering into.

Being uncomfortable to stay Relevant

Larry Page, Google Co-founder, has been quoted in an investor release commenting on the company’s reorganization, "We've long believed that over time companies tend to get comfortable doing the same thing, just making incremental changes. But in the technology industry, where revolutionary ideas drive the next big growth areas, you need to be a bit uncomfortable to stay relevant." Google has practiced this by embracing changes from time to time, not just through its diverse business ventures and innovative products but also by way of its organizational structure which has now become leaner and flexible to implement changes quickly.

Also read: 

https://www.dqindia.com/6-ambitious-projects-of-google-that-can-change-the-world/2/

Having an Eye for Picking Leaders

The company knows when and where to spot talent and how to let it grow. Sundar Pichai’s elevation to the role of Google’s CEO would be an aspiring growth story for millions of tech professionals. But Google has its own reasons for doing so.

In a related interaction, Rajeev Suman, Senior Analyst, Pierre Audoin Consultants (PAC), a global market research and strategic consulting firm for the software and IT services industry, says, “With Pichai heading Google now, it is a huge boost for Google’s India connect. India is the second largest market for Google after US. As Google is all locked down in China, India remains a very important market and Pichai can bring in new local language innovations in Google to target non English internet users. Pichai by nature is an innovator and he will add to the already innovative environment of Google.””

Successful companies do have the skill to spot talent at the right place at the right time and nurture it to new levels.

Hiring the Best People

Google has its own secrets to hiring the best talent, which it claims is not just about credentials. For them it is more about ‘intellectual humility’. Its head of people operations, Lazlo Bock has been quoted as saying, “Without humility, you are unable to learn. Successful bright people rarely experience failure, and so they don’t learn how to learn from that failure. "The internet giant also doesn’t believe in going after few top schools for hiring, as by doing that the company believes it could be missing out on different talents and skill sets. The Google philosophy values learning ability more than IQ.

Keeping the Innovation Alive

Google’s innovative culture is something any organization would be envious of. It has often been called the company’s secret sauce for success. Google continues to keep the tradition alive through its products, people and organizational practices. It has invested on innovation management tools to encourage employees while externally it is betting big on its ambitious ‘Moonshot projects’. And despite all that the focus on core business remains intact, which shows how companies can aim higher, while still staying grounded to their roots.

 Also read:

https://www.dqindia.com/6-ambitious-projects-of-google-that-can-change-the-world/2/