Seize Your Leadership Day: What Would Google Do?
by Miki Saxon
One item today, because it has several parts, all revolving around a new, way outside-the-box book.
I’m referring to Jeff Jarvis’ just-released What Would Google Do?, exploring how to apply the lessons of Google to other industries and companies.
Jarvis teaches at the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism; his blog is BuzzMachine.
Business Week published an excerpt describing how a car company run by Google might function and why the auto industry would be resistant to the approach. Be sure to read through the comments, they’re as interesting as the article.
I like the Management Tip Sheet; here are the headings, but the real value is in the details, so be sure to click the link.
- Manage Abundance, Not Scarcity
- Make Mistakes Well
- Give Up Control
- Get Out Of The Way
- Low Prices Are Good (Free Is Better)
- Don’t Be Evil (Contrary to popular opinion the phrase has an internal focus, not external.)
Finally, here’s a video of Jarvis talking about his ideas; there are several other interviews that offer different slants and information.
Just to be clear, this isn’t a book recommendation. I think there are good lessons to learn from Google, but there are good lessons to learn from most truly innovative companies.
I know of none that can be applied straight across the board or are one-size-fits-all.
But all the companies that still believe “if we make it they will buy” are in for a very rude awakening when the economy turns around—as it will.
Your comments—priceless
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Image credit: flickr and BuzzMachine
February 15th, 2009 at 6:47 am
I am sorry but I find this article really out of touch with reality.
First because Apple (I know it is the second comment I make that includes them, sorry) makes great products with a lot of secrecy.
Second because google does not design its products (I should say channels) by consensus: they develop a good product and then leverage the public to test it and polish it.
Third use the US automakers as a reference point for the auto industry does not seem very reasonable. Google has a global reach and is the leader in their industry. I believe a comparison with Toyota rather than GM would have been more appropriate and might have surfaced all the things google picked from Toyota’s innovations in management.
February 15th, 2009 at 10:51 am
No apologies necessary, Denis, in fact, I’m glad. I thought it was interesting, but that doesn’t mean I bought it. The public may know what it wants, but it doesn’t know what it doesn’t want because it doesn’t exist yet—think iPod.
But it’s nice to know that even in the current economy a creative person can pull together a lot of bits and pieces, wrap them as a book, invoke the Google name and end up with tons of free publicity and make lots of money.
BTW, IMHO the US auto industry leads only in stupidity and their ability to trip over their own prejudices with eyes wide shut.
February 15th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Thanks for the pointer to a provocative book, Miki. Jarvis also has a fascinating blog where he works out many of his ideas for different industries.
http://www.buzzmachine.com/
February 15th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Thanks for stopping by, Wally. I’m glad the information was of use.
February 16th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Miki,
I enjoyed the Google article until I read the comments thereafter. I only got through a portion of the comments but was entertained on how many disagreed with the author. Thanks for passing it on.
February 16th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
I’m sorry, Chris. I’m sure the book has some valuable insights, but, as Denis said, the classic example of a secretive is Apple, but you can’t fault their skill at innovation.
The problem is that this and so many books present their idea/viewpoint as a silver bullet, and as you well know there are NO silver bullets.
Spend a bit of time on Jarvis’ blog, that should tell you whether to buy the book and how far off base my cynicism is.