Google

Definition

Google is a multinational technology company known primarily for its search engine, which has revolutionized how people access and find information online. Founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google has expanded into various sectors, including advertising, cloud computing, software, and hardware. Its innovative culture has fostered an environment where employees, known as 'Googlers', are encouraged to be intrapreneurs, driving new ideas and projects within the company.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Google's search engine processes over 3.5 billion searches per day, making it the most popular search engine globally.
2. The company's motto 'Don't be evil' reflects its commitment to ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.
3. Google encourages intrapreneurship through initiatives like the '20% time' policy, allowing employees to spend 20% of their work hours on passion projects that could benefit the company.
4. Google has expanded beyond search to include products like Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube, all of which have transformed their respective industries.
5. The company is known for its innovative work environment, which includes open office spaces and numerous amenities designed to promote creativity and collaboration.

Review Questions

• How has Google's approach to intrapreneurship influenced its growth and innovation strategies?
  • Google's approach to intrapreneurship has been pivotal in fostering a culture of innovation that allows employees to take ownership of new ideas and projects. By encouraging 'Googlers' to dedicate a portion of their work hours to personal passion projects, the company has seen significant advancements in its product offerings. This freedom promotes creativity and drives growth, as many successful products like Gmail and AdSense originated from these initiatives.
• Discuss the role of Alphabet Inc. in relation to Google's business model and how it impacts intrapreneurship within the organization.
  • Alphabet Inc. serves as the parent company for Google, allowing for a diversified structure that separates Google's core operations from its various other ventures. This organizational model enables different teams within Alphabet to pursue innovative projects while maintaining a clear focus on Google's primary mission. By providing resources and autonomy to these subsidiaries, Alphabet encourages a culture of intrapreneurship, leading to the development of groundbreaking technologies and services across various sectors.
• Evaluate how Google's commitment to innovation through intrapreneurship contributes to its competitive advantage in the technology sector.
  • Google's commitment to fostering intrapreneurship is a crucial factor in maintaining its competitive advantage in the technology sector. By empowering employees to pursue innovative projects without fear of failure, Google is able to continually adapt and evolve its offerings in response to market changes. This strategic focus on innovation not only enhances product development but also attracts top talent who are eager to contribute creatively. As a result, Google not only leads in search but also excels in diverse areas such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

Related terms

Intrapreneurship: The practice of employees acting like entrepreneurs within a company, taking initiative to develop new projects or ideas that contribute to the organization.

Alphabet Inc.: The parent holding company of Google, created in 2015 to organize Google’s various businesses and ventures under one umbrella.

Innovation: The process of translating an idea or invention into a good or service that creates value or for which customers will pay.