How Google Works

How Google Works by Eric Schmidt Jonathan Rosenberg 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 Woodens observation that its 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 Googles 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.