A few weeks ago, I had a great opportunity to spend the day on Google's campus. They asked if I could come spend the day there to be interviewed for a Google Hangout about my experience with AdWords, which I use to advertise Sacramento Appraisal Group. I had heard the Google campus was incredible, and it lived up to the rumors. Besides all the free food, coffee, and incredible WiFi, it was quite the experience to observe Google in action for a day. After thinking about it, I realized I learned some life lessons from my experience, and although its not exclusively appraisal related, I wanted to share them with you.
1. Micromanagement Stunts Productivity & Creativity
We've all worked for companies where we've felt like our manager or boss was breathing down our neck every day, double checking our every move or asking us to check in with them constantly. At Google, I noticed that the team I was working with seemed to be working very independently, making quick decisions without checking in with anyone first. When I asked them about this, they explained that Google trains them very well so that they can work independently. They are evaluated on product, not process, which means they are not micromanaged every step of the way. I noticed that this allowed a lot of creativity within the process, and they could not have been any more efficient and professional. Google gives them the tools to do what is expected of them and lets them do it, rather than hovering over them until they're done.
2. Surround Yourself with Like-Minded People
Everyone I met at Google was smart, driven, and focused on the job at hand. Being around a group of people like that was inspiring, and it made me re-realize the importance of surrounding yourself with people you want to be like. It's human nature to think and act similarly to those we are around all the time, which can either be a good thing or bad thing. If you choose to make it a good thing and surround yourself with people who are striving to be the best they can be, it'll be a lot easier for you to do the same.
3. A Little Reward Goes A Long Way
Google campus is full of free stuff for the employees: multiple restaurants, coffee shops, snack stations, nap pods, massage center, laundry facilities, gyms, bikes, you name it, they've probably got it. While many companies don't even consider donuts and coffee on a big day because it's an extra expense, Google invests money into the employees because it's just that: an investment. The employees are treated well and repay the company with great work and loyalty. Beyond that, those rewards eliminate the need to go home or leave work for basic needs like food...so, you could probably live at work if you wanted to, which I'm sure Google wouldn't mind. 🙂
4. Details Matter
Everyone I worked with was incredibly observant of every little detail of the project. They noticed word choice, if the chair was a few inches off center, if a doorknob was in the shot, etc. It might seem perfectionist and over the top, but a lot of missed details results in a messy project. If you're aiming to impress, no detail is too small to be taken care of.
5. Be Friendly, Just Because
Over the course of a pretty long day at Google, I met many people, and all of them were friendly and respectful, whether they knew why I was there or not. The Hangout and AdWords team members I worked with spent the day answering all of my random questions, showing me around campus, making sure I was comfortable and overall being really nice. This friendliness didn't end after we filmed the first two Hangouts, and it wasn't because they were trying to get something from me-- it just seemed like the culture of the company was respectful and nice. I was overall really impressed with my experience at Google!
