Innovation at Its Finest — Inside Google Offices
Google is known for being the creators, idea makers and innovators all around the world. They have been the company to do many “firsts” and pave the way for people around them. Not only does Google focus on the brand itself, they make sure to focus on all aspects of life creating a large portfolio of knowledge.
The offices of Google are also known to be creative, colourful and just a little bit different. They offer amenities such as food, childcare, health facilities, wellness facilities, personal rest locations and the list goes on and on. This allows for the employees to never have to leave work. They have everything they need all in one convenient location while still feeling like they have personal freedom. The offices also provide a variety of workspaces. Employees don’t feel as though they are tied down to one location and are allowed to navigate throughout the space and interact with people from different faculties and cultivate ideas.
Hopi Kallayil, Googles chief social evangelist, has created a list of 9 attributes as to why Google is the holy grail of creativity and productivity. Not only are these relevant to the success of Google, but also play a key role in any person or company who wants to succeed.
- Innovation comes from everywhere: Innovation comes from all areas of the Google empire. It is found from the executives to the interns and can be found in any aspect of the company. Crowdsourcing is also a huge part of Googles success. By branching outside of the company they get input and ideas from a variety of sources.
- Focus on the user: Googles idea is that when you focus on the user, the rest will follow. By making the user happy it will create a platform that is the best of its abilities and keeps the users satisfied.
- Aim to be ten times better: If you have an idea and aim for it to be 10% better, you’re results in the end will be of great value. Always think for 10 times better than what you expect, you will be driven to make it just that little bit better and in return have an amazing innovation.
- Bet on technical insights: All major organizations have their unique insights and if you work hard enough on it and believe in the possibilities that chances of it becoming a reality are much greater.
- Ship and iterate: Whatever service or product that you’re selling make sure that you do so in the most timely manner possible. Always be working on the next step and make it better.
- Give employees 20% time: Allow your employees or yourself to spend a portion of time on projects that are unrelated or what they believe are important and relevant to themselves. In turn they may find that there is a connection back to work.
- Default to open processes: Make your idea available to everyone. Get ideas and energy from the collective environment in order to get the best data and information.
- Fail well: Failure is good. It allows you to better your idea and make it to the best of your capabilities. You grow from what you have learnt and know what to do and what not to do.
- Have a mission that matters: Everyone should have a pupose. With a purpose people feel wanted and in turn will work to the best of their abilities creating innovation and creativity.
How can companies replicate Googles creation for innovation? By following the 9 rules set out by Google and creating a working environment where the employee feels valued, this creates a hub for innovation.
