How Google Works

Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg

John Murray Press, Sep 23, 2014 - Business & Economics - 352 pages

Both Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg came to Google as seasoned Silicon Valley business executives, but over the course of a decade they came to see the wisdom in Coach John Wooden's observation that 'it's what you learn after you know it all that counts'. As they helped grow Google from a young start-up to a global icon, they relearned everything they knew about management. How Google Works is the sum of those experiences distilled into a fun, easy-to-read primer on corporate culture, strategy, talent, decision-making, communication, innovation, and dealing with disruption.

The authors explain how the confluence of three seismic changes - the internet, mobile, and cloud computing - has shifted the balance of power from companies to consumers. The companies that will thrive in this ever-changing landscape will be the ones that create superior products and attract a new breed of multifaceted employees whom the authors dub 'smart creatives'. The management maxims ('Consensus requires dissension', 'Exile knaves but fight for divas', 'Think 10X, not 10%') are illustrated with previously unreported anecdotes from Google's corporate history.

'Back in 2010, Eric and I created an internal class for Google managers,' says Rosenberg. 'The class slides all read 'Google confidential' until an employee suggested we uphold the spirit of openness and share them with the world. This book codifies the recipe for our secret sauce: how Google innovates and how it empowers employees to succeed.'

What people are saying

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - sometimeunderwater - LibraryThing

Better than a book written by corporate committee should be. A lot of LinkedIn-style business bollocks, obviously, but also some interesting insights into Google's culture and ways of working. Easy to read.

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - antao - LibraryThing

To Google or not to Google: "How Google Works" by Eric Schmidt and Alan Eagle Published September 23rd 2014 I had my first run in with Google in 2005 as a customer and maybe, because of that, I’ve ...

About the author

Jonathan Rosenberg joined Google in 2002 and managed the design and development of the company's consumer, advertiser, and partner products, including Search, Ads, Gmail, Android, Apps, and Chrome. He is currently an advisor to Google CEO Larry Page.

Eric Schmidt served as Google's CEO from 2001 to 2011. During that time he shepherded the company's growth from a Silicon Valley start-up to a global technology leader that today has over $55 billion in annual revenues and offices in more than 40 countries. Eric is now Google's executive chairman.

Bibliographic information

• Title: How Google Works
• Authors: Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg
• Publisher: John Murray Press, 2014
• ISBN: 1444792482, 9781444792485
• Length: 352 pages
• Subjects: Business & Economics / Decision-Making & Problem Solving; Business & Economics / General; Business & Economics / Human Resources & Personnel Management; Business & Economics / International / General; Business & Economics / Leadership; Business & Economics / Management; Business & Economics / Strategic Planning; Self-Help / Personal Growth / Success