In the second part of the presentation I would like to present the work culture at the Google offices. To get started, let's take a look at the company headquaters known as the Googleplex in Mountain View, California:
Yes, what you see there are the solar panels on the rooftops:
Now, let's take a look inside:
As you see on the video it's hard to imagine an office perk, that Google doesn't offer. Hungry? There are a few cafeterias on the campus, which serve food from many places in the world as Google looks for its employees wordwide, and a great part of them came from overseas just to work there. Apart from the food, there are also doctors, hairdressers, gyms, massage rooms available on site absolutely free. Google really values its workers and cares for their health and well-being.
What's really distinctive is the way how the meetings look like. To maximize productivity, company does its best to ensure that Googlers are creative and innovative. To get the most of it, meeting rooms are colorful, filled with a lot of objects that may make people curious at first, such as lava lamps. There are also huge whiteboards and colored markers for people to share ideas with each other.
Google, in fact, is not only the Googleplex, there are number of offices around the world. How they look like? Let's take a look at Google Zurich, Switzerland:
Among many usual perks such as free lunches, access to the gym and on site tech support, this office has one distinctive feature: going downstairs is the far too inefficient, most Googlers use slides and a firepole instead.
Here are some questions to discuss:
What are the perks that you find most valuable?
Would you like to work in better environment with more amenities or for better salary?
Do you think that special features or rooms that encourage people to talk and brainstorm are a necessity? Isn't a plain water cooler or photocopier enough to make such gatherings?
Would you like to work for Google, even if it means the need of relocation?
In my view very good article – serious it’s ,,dream job”. Last time I heard from my friend that he got similar job in Google and in the fact employees are treated very well. Moreover, the company often pays for corporate apartment, additional bills, car, they help to find new job for his wife and care about hire a babysitter for his child. You do not have to worry about anything just be focused on work. My fiend confirmed he had an access to everything, as in the article is:
ReplyDelete,, Apart from the food, there are Also doctors, hairdressers, Gyms, Massage rooms available on site absolutely free "
" Among many dry as usual perks free lunches and access to the gym and on site tech support”
Respecting employee is the most important value for me. Such Bonuses like this in Google is no necessary but should be some benefits package like multi-sport card, phone or laptop would be enough. I`am sure it can be very motivated package to work. Next question is also interesting but If I could choose I would like to work in better environment with more amenities. That would be fantastic to not worry about my phone bills or petrol expenses. Regarding to special room I prefer work in silence but is an individual case.
As far as I know Google will invest to new building in Eastern Europe soon. If I had a chance I would not to hesitate to get this job.
Haha, cheeky Maciej just stole my story :) I also have a friend working for Google in Cracow. I'll tell you what, all those perks and benefits are no lie. They really seem to care about their employees...
ReplyDeleteAnd here's where my nightmare begins ;) This kind of treatment, all this ideal dream job is beyond my imagination. Your work is a place, where you do your job, finish it and get paid for that!
You come for money and self-development to get a better paid job later in the future. That's one side. The other is the employer, who rather sees you working more effective, longer hours for less money, etc. I believe that Google is an outstanding workplace, but it's still just a job. Maybe a little better than the others.
If it comes to considering relocation to get a better job (specifically in Google) I haven't yet got any offer like that :) I have not been look for such as well... But I don't think I would want to move anywhere else.
On the other hand, the problem with too good workplace may be that employees won't like to go back home. From what I know Googlers spend a lot of time at work. My question is: How do they manage to care for their friends and families? There weren't too much said about that in the videos, what do you think?
ReplyDeleteAd 1.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fast learner, always on time and finishing things that I've started.
Ad 2.
Of course, who wouldn't? :)
Ad 3.
Special rooms are a good idea to encourage creativity within employees.
Ad 4.
I'd rather not, I'm fine here where I am.
If google would give me an offer to work there probably I would not think too long about the decision even if I would have to move to other city. But coming back to reality in my job I have a perk like multisport benefit card, mobile phone and notebook and I am satisfied. Whats more every month I have a chance to get bonus for well done job. My compans office is not so impressive like googles one but the atmosphere and people are great. We have also whiteboards to share ideas just like google :P
ReplyDeleteDo they put something into food to make people so happy working there? Good question,hehe maybe they have special drinks as well. Employees don't loose time for cooking and others things - yep I like it . Probably people work there in the day and in the night time as well so they should have place to have a nap. If I had so many option of leisure activities, I wouldn't focus on my work. I would like to have good environment with some amenities and also good salary:)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a great job. Very nice woking conditions. Many features that you cannot find in normal job. For many people it will be dream job. But I see one problem, you have everything you need in campus. It looks like they are planning to keep you close.
ReplyDeleteSo I was thinking, if I would like to work for google. I think yes.. it really looks great, and salary probably is very high. But many people, also me, will not move away to work. So I think if they will offer me to work in google far for home, I will problably refuse.
It makes me jealous, I want so cool job!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I like this article, it makes me start thinking about "how bad is in Poland, sigh" again.
Ok, surely there are places where situation is worse.
If I get an invitation from Google I'd go. For me the place where I live is not a problem as long as I'm satisfied with my work and life.
It is really amazing. I haven't even imagine that company can look like this.
ReplyDeleteFree food, massages, many places when you can take a rest - it gives employee an opportunity take a short break and then be creative for the rest of the day. I thing it is good also for the company.
Special rooms for brainstorming - this is also a good idea, you can invent more when your brain is better stimulating :)
I would like to work in Google, relocation would not be a problem ;)
As regards the creation of special facilities which are to encourage discussions and brainstorming, I think that they are necessary in such companies each are oriented development, innovation. They support very well this type of meeting, and allow for their operation more efficient. Here for example we have such a room at the headquarters of The Facebook:
ReplyDeletehttp://bi.gazeta.pl/im/2/7436/z7436682X, office-Facebook - Palo-Alto - Design - Studio-AO.jpg
However, I think it would be fun to work with Google, but it still depends on what position, I wouldn't accept any for sure:) And moving isn't a problem nowadays, especially if the company puts so much importance to the wellbeing of workers and so their support.
Nice working places:)
ReplyDeleteThe best perk one can get in Poland is a company car and a parking space. The things that Google offers are definitely off the charts. And I personally would love to use slides at my work place.
As for the amenities -- I love my personal life so having gym, hairdresser and food available at my working space would make me spend more time outside my home. So everything comes with a price. Such perks can eat into your life. That means I would rather have a higher salary so that I could spend it whenever, wherever and with whomever I wanted.
In my opinion, brainstorming sessions are the best way of developing ideas and are a must in agile IT development. But that pretty much depends on how a company works. Some need it, others don't - that's just the way it is.
I wouldn't say that working for Google isn't tempting but I think I'm just to used to living in Warsaw that I don't think I'm capable of relocating. I would have to leave behind my family, friends etc., I would have to change my whole life, all of my habits. And besides, if Google wanted me, I would be able to find a nice, cozy job in Warsaw.
Would you like to work for Google, even if it means the need of relocation?
The most valuable perks for me is that you can work with the best IT people in the world and getting knowledge in IT.
ReplyDeleteI would like to work for better salary than amenities.
I think that special rooms or offices are much better for employees to think harder and work better.
I would like to work for Google even if i have to move somewhere else because it gives many opportunities to get the best IT knowlegde.
1. I find a company car by far the most valuable perk. As someone mentioned before, a parking place in front of the office would be warmly welcomed :) Unfortunately it is not so common for the people working in IT to get company cars.
ReplyDelete2. Even though I consider myself to be able to coexist with the office politics, I'd still prefer to work with people who respect one another. In long term warm and fuzzy office atmosphere is a key to complacency .
3. I cannot image working without a conference room where I can doodle on a blackboard and discuss ideas with colleagues. It's much more effective than trying to explain your thoughts in an open space room filled with people.
4. Indeed I would. :)
Michał, it was written that a colleague told me about the story :) ;p
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