Is Google (2008) turning into Microsoft (1998)?
No says Scott Berkun. But…
There are problems with any company growing large. A culture shift from going from small to big. Many people talk about how great rapid growth is and obviously rapid growth usually follows other good things (like growing sales and revenues). There is a dynamic culture shift happens when companies get bigger. But what is little studied is what happens to a large company that explodes.
That’s what happened to Microsoft in the 90’s and you saw their culture shift. You can see it starting at Google as their growth goes from aggressive to explosive.
What can HR do to help a company deal with this. Berkun has a good start of what not to do.
- Believing no one has been at the center of the tech-universe before.
- Inability to take a non self-centric view of the world.
- Depending on power and intimidation, more than intelligence and wisdom.
- Failing to find ways to stay humble & hungry while being dominant.
- Focusing more on beating rivals than satisfying customers.
- Underestimating how decisions will be received by the rest of the world.
And I like that list. I don’t think Google will go down that path but I think they were also lucky to see what has happened to other tech companies that forget what got them to the point where they became super explosive.
If you want to be good at something, do it
Do it over and over again.
Do it until it hurts. And then get up and do it again.
The first thing I ever wanted to get good at was playing basketball. My Dad had put up a hoop on our garage and he would play out there with his friends. And I knew I wanted to be a good basketball player. So I went out there and played and played and played. I played before I could throw the ball high enough. There was no little hoop or little ball. So I just kept trying until I could get the ball that high. Then I got in the hoop. Then I could shoot from 5, 10, 15 feet away. And I got confident. I could make baskets from wherever. I wanted to play my dad.
And he whooped me. 11-0.
And so I played against him more. Every day after work. Every weekend. 11-0, 11-0, 11-1!
And we played for three years before I beat him. This wasn’t a “he let you win” or “he was tired.” This was a Sunday afternoon game he initiated. And I remember it being the greatest day.
I continued getting better until I could beat him consistently. And I went on to play on teams and in leagues. No, I didn’t end up being the greatest, I just ended up being good at basketball. I didn’t make the NBA, or college, or even high school. It was about being good for the sake of being good.
People who succeed in life do so because they find what they love and they do it to be good at it. And if they can’t get there today, they keep trying over and over. They will not be denied. I can’t count the number of times I missed a shot in basketball. But I picked it up and shot again. And it hurt. I broke bones for playing the game. I was so sore, I never wanted to move. But I played again.
I played again. I picked up the ball and took a shot hoping that this would be one that I made. And if I made it, I knew I would have to make it again to be satisfied.
People hate sports analogies because of their simplicity (and their ease). From the age of four to fourteen, all I ever really cared about was playing basketball and being good.
Now life is more difficult and complicated you might argue. Maybe. We make it more difficult and complicated though. How do I know this? My dad’s motivation during my basketball loving days was making sure he was there for a game of one on one. During that time, he went through a job change, divorce and remarriage. Life was more complicated but he made it simple: he wanted to be a good dad, so he did it. And he missed shots, lost games and not just on the basketball court to me. He woke up, like I did, and whatever reality faced us that morning, we were going to continue trying.
I post this because I heard someone give an excuse as to why they couldn’t try to do what they wanted to be good at. Talking is easy. Making excuses is easier. Doing is difficult. Failing is more difficult. And getting up and trying after failure is the most difficult.
No more excuses. No more talking. If you want to do something, do it.
More Generation Y Problems
I already posted about Generation Y on Vault today so I won’t double up on it other than to point out that this could be a serious problem for the future of major companies that are losing talent to retirement and new ventures at a rapid pace.
Not that I am complaining (says the reluctant Gen Y member) but I am hoping everyone else will be able to step up.
Tired of working vacations?
Me too. Actually, I just got back from one where I didn’t bring my laptop and it was fantastic. Without my laptop, I “didn’t get that email” and “no, I can’t look that up right now.” My Dad took working vacations and it made my Mom pull her hair out. I never want to feel obligated to do so and neither should you. This article on CNN actually talks about some really great techniques to use:
1. Leave a roadmap.
A few weeks before you leave, start recording important information, key contacts and any deadlines that will come up while you are gone. If you leave co-workers with a guide that will help them address questions that arise and keep things moving forward, they will be less likely to contact you on vacation and you will be less likely to walk into a war zone when you return.
2. Stick to an itinerary.
While it’s best to leave the office at the office, if you must do work, set limits and boundaries for yourself and your co-workers. Don’t let activities on vacation be interrupted by work.
Instead set aside a half hour each day to think about work and stick to it. Instead of having co-workers call you, tell them when you are going to check in, so you can control the time allotted.
3. Think big.
If you have a big project and a great vacation planned for the same week, you can expect one of the two to give. Schedule the dates before and after the big stuff to lighten your load and enjoy your time off.
4. What if you’re the boss?
If you’re working for yourself, make sure you anticipate your busy seasons by reviewing your previous sales and current situation. Save vacation time for slower periods and make sure to notify customers in advance.
The first piece of advice is actually the best one for me. Leave your co-workers contact information for sources of information you usually utilize. If you are on vacation and people know how to take care of themselves, not only will they feel less inconvenienced by your absence but you will be bothered much less.
When you work hard, not everyone wins
Including yourself.
Oh the realities of working hard and not getting anything in return. For that fresh faced college grad or the fortune 100 exec starting anew in a startup, it can be a big wake up call.
It seems like the best anyone can do is work hard anyway, cross their fingers and get lucky?
But wait just a second! That doesn’t seem right. It seems wrong in fact.
So what is a person to do?
Two of my favorite websites are Slacker Manager and Lifehacker. They help you get more work done in less time, manage your day more effectively, yet still be an asset to the company you are working for. That last number is huge.
The old cliche goes, “Work smart, not hard” but these sites will actually help you do it effectively.
Do you have any other sites or resources you use to work smarter?
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About
Your HR Guy is a Human Resources Generalist practicing in the field. But don't let that fool you, this isn't a boring blog. I seek relevance and humor in a place we will spend much of our lives. Everything from workplace issues, job seeking and terrible bosses. Read more...
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